The status of Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan has been in question all week leading up to Saturday’s big game at Penn State.
The sixth-year QB got hurt in the fourth quarter if last Saturday’s game at Illinois and had to be carted off the field. Although Minnesota has provided encouraging updates on Morgan’s health, it looks like Penn State might be facing a backup in its annual White Out game.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that, per his sources, Morgan’s status is “between questionable and doubtful.”
ESPN’s Pete Thamel says on GameDay that both Sean Clifford and Tanner Morgan are game time decisions.
He reported Morgan is “somewhere between questionable and doubtful,” and that Athan Kaliakmanis would be the likely starter if Morgan can’t go.
He expects Clifford to play.
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) October 22, 2022
If Morgan can’t go, Minnesota’s likely starter would be Athan Kaliakmanis. Kaliakmanis, a former four-star recruit from Antioch High School in Illinois, came in relief of Morgan against Illinois. He went 2-6 with 17 yards and two interceptions in a brief sample, and the Gophers ended up dropping their second straight game, losing 26-14 to Illinois.
Morgan’s absence would take away what many fans expected to be a big story. Like Morgan, Penn State QB Sean Clifford is in his sixth season.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Clifford himself has dealt with injury problems over the past week, leaving last Saturday’s game at Michigan in the second half. But Clifford practiced this week, and Thamel, along with many Penn State fans, expects him to start in what will be his last White Out.
In 2019, Morgan won the only previous meeting— and, perhaps, the only ever meeting— between he and Clifford. In an afternoon to forget for Penn State fans, Minnesota upset the fourth-ranked Nittany Lions 31-26. Morgan played near-flawless football, completing 18 of 20 passes, throwing for three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Penn State hasn’t had a crack at Minnesota since that November day, and will get one Saturday.
Kickoff for Penn State’s annual White Out and Homecoming game is scheduled for 7:30 on ABC.
