Penn State quarterback Drew Allar practiced on Wednesday but remains a game-time decision for Saturday’s game against Ohio State. Nittany Lions coach James Franklin told reporters after practice in State College on Wednesday that he had “no new information” regarding Allar’s status with the team. First 5 games at Beaver Stadium.

“No new information at this stage, but so far so good and we’re getting both Beau (Pribula) and Drew a lot of reps in practice,” Franklin said.

Penn State will receive a public designation of its starting quarterback by game time against the fourth-seeded Buckeyes. Allar was injured Penn State’s 28-13 win at WisconsinHe was kicked out as part of Wednesday’s training session open to the media. Franklin said most of the practice reps this week went to Allar and Pribula.

Earlier this week, Franklin said Allar’s two years of starting experience will give the coaching staff more time to determine whether the starting quarterback can play on Saturday. Allar wore knee braces Pribula led two touchdown drives but was sidelined in the second half against Wisconsin.

“I think he’s played enough football for us and that timeline will continue into the game,” Franklin said of Allar. “… But the reality is, both guys are going to have to be ready.”

On the other hand, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, who has started all seven games this season, was not seen by reporters during viewing time. Dennis-Sutton was also injured in the first half against Wisconsin, played one game in the second half and did not return. He is a key player on the Nittany Lions’ defensive line with four tackles for loss, two sacks and two quarterback hurries this season.

Penn State is also trying to get Anthony Donkoh healthy in time for Saturday’s game. Donkoh, injured in Wisconsin, surrendered Nolan RucciWho played a season-high 49 snaps against his former team.

I’m looking for more than a comeback game

With the average starting position being the 26-yard line, Penn State aims to increase that number. The problem is that the comeback game didn’t create much of anything. The Nittany Lions have just nine kickoff returns in seven games, so they look to create yards on punt returns. But they also want to continue to secure the catch first.

Cornerback Zion Tracy took over the punt return spot after receiver Kaden Saunders was injured and picked up 14 yards on six returns. He had an 18-yard return against Wisconsin called back due to his knee being down.

“We had some musical chairs there trying to find the guy,” Franklin said. “Zion did some good things, (Liam) Clifford did some good things, too. … You’d like to field more of those balls and be more aggressive, but most importantly we didn’t turn the ball over in that category. Check that box, great. Now we’ve got to take the next step and “We need to start catching more of them and bringing back more of them.”

Penn State’s top 5 history

Saturday’s game will be the 12th game between top 5 teams in Penn State history. Penn State was 4-7 in previous games. The last one was in 2021, when No. 3 seed Iowa defeated the fourth-seeded Nittany Lions 23-20 in Iowa City. Penn State’s last win in its first 5 games came in 1999 when the No. 3 Nittany Lions opened the season with a 41-7 win over No. 4 Arizona. Penn State and Ohio State have met once as top-5 opponents. No. 3 Ohio State won the 1996 matchup with No. 4 Penn State, 38-7.

Penn State hosts Ohio State on Saturday at noon ET on FOX.

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