Iowa brings a 3-0 record and No. 24 ranking to Beaver Stadium for a prime-time matchup against Penn State on Saturday.
The Hawkeyes are led by former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara, but come game time, it looks as though some of his weapons will be neutralized.
Unlike Penn State, Iowa released their depth chart ahead of the upcoming contest and it looks as though some big names won’t be playing against the Nittany Lions.
Starting tight end Luke Lachey is done for the season as was announced Monday, but some other notable names who weren’t listed on the depth chart were starting running back Kaleb Johnson and his backup Jaziun Patterson.
Lachey went down with a significant leg injury against Western Michigan and as a result, the Iowa offense will be tasked with replacing its leading receiver as he had hauled in 10 passes for 131 yards prior to his injury.
It will be Erick All who gets the nod for Lachey. All, a senior, has 81 yards on the season and scored a touchdown in the season-opening game against Utah State.
Johnson rushed for 779 yards for Iowa last season but has played in only two games this year for the Hawkeyes. He rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown against Utah State and for 28 yards against Iowa State before leaving the game with an injury.
Patterson, who himself was replacing the injured Johnson, rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown against Iowa State and 20 yards before being dinged up against Western Michigan over the weekend.
Leshon Williams gets the chance to be RB1 for Iowa against Penn State according to the depth chart. Without Patterson, Johnson and Lachey, the Hawkeyes will be down nearly 40 percent of their offense.
A tough go at Beaver Stadium won’t be any easier with those players not on the field, but historically, Iowa and Penn State are always classic games.
