Northwestern heads into Friday’s matchup with Penn State missing two important pieces, and both injuries land on opposite sides of the ball.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that tight end Luke Dehnicke, who is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and defensive back Braden Turner, who is working through a lower-body issue, will not suit up against the Nittany Lions.
Dehnicke’s absence is especially notable after what he did last Friday in Northwestern’s six-point loss at defending national champion Indiana. He caught seven passes for 140 yards, a performance that reinforced just how quickly he has become a major weapon for the Wildcats.
A redshirt sophomore, Dehnicke began his college career at Division II Minnesota Duluth. He broke out last season with 1,119 yards and 14 touchdowns on 61 catches, and that production is already carrying over to the Big Ten.
Turner has been a steady presence for Northwestern for years. Now in his fifth season with the program, he has developed into a regular starter and earned All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition last year. He also has a memorable moment against Penn State already on his résumé, having recovered a fumble against the Nittany Lions at the old Ryan Field in 2023.
Thamel also said defensive back Damon Walters is a game-time decision. The same goes for Hayden Eligon, Northwestern’s second-leading receiver last season with 521 yards, three touchdowns and 37 catches. Thamel added that sources are “very confident” Eligon will play.
Penn State has injury concerns of its own. Defensive end Max Granville is out for the season, while top receiver Koby Howard is out “for an extended period of time.”
In Other News...
Penn State Fans Just Got A New Beaver Stadium Comparison
Northwesterns new Ryan Field made its debut during Penn States visit, giving Nittany Lions fans a fresh point of comparison for what a modern college football venue can look like. The 35,000-seat on-campus stadium, built at a cost of $870 million, puts a premium on closeness to the action, with premium seating, a standing-only student section and a layout that brings the crowd right up to the playing surface.
Penn State broadcaster Steve Jones also took note of the new setup, including the location of the visiting radio booth, while the game added another layer to the conversation with the strong Peacock/NBC production. For Penn State observers, the contrast with Beaver Stadium was hard to miss, especially on a night when the sideline environment again underscored how crowded things can feel in Happy Valley. [Read more 🡒]
Former Penn State QB Is Watching One Big Test For This New Era
Drew Allar is keeping a close eye on Penn States next chapter, and he sounds encouraged by the direction the program is headed under new head coach Matt Campbell. The former quarterback said he respects Campbell even though he never played for him, a small but telling sign that the transition has already earned some buy-in from one of the most recognizable players of the previous era.
Allar also pointed to Virginia Techs strong start under James Franklin as another reminder of how quickly new coaching situations can take shape. From his vantage point, both programs have a chance to keep growing beyond his time in college football, and the real test now is whether Penn State can turn that optimism into sustained success in Campbells new era. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Suddenly Has A Secondary Concern Fans Can't Ignore
Penn States depth chart is already getting a workout before conference play truly gets rolling, and the biggest concern right now sits on the defensive side of the ball. The Nittany Lions are juggling multiple injuries ahead of their game against Northwestern, while the offense also has to plan without star wide receiver Koby Howard to open Big Ten action.
Daryus Dixsons status is the one worth watching most closely. The cornerback is listed as questionable after suffering an injury before halftime in the previous game, leaving Penn State with another uncertainty in a secondary that will need to be sharp if it is going to settle in quickly. Northwestern has its own injury questions, with two starters, including tight end Luke Dehnicke, listed as doubtful, but Penn States growing concerns on the back end may end up shaping the conversation going into kickoff. [Read more 🡒]