Penn State missed Harrison “Trey” Wallace Saturday.
It would have really missed Wallace if the team ended up losing at Illinois.
Fortunately for Penn State, the team won, 30-13.
But the win featured plenty of sloppy play from both sides, and Penn State’s receivers were no exception.
Malik McClain got his first start at Penn State in place of Wallace, and he dropped two passes from QB Drew Allar that would have been first downs.
Wallace has been Penn State’s No. 2 receiver all season, and performed well through the first two weeks. He currently has 10 catches for 98 yards, highlighted by a seven-catch, 72-yard effort Week 1 against West Virginia. But when Penn State’s injury report— mandated by the Big Ten last month— came out about two hours before game time, Wallace was listed as “questionable.”
Wallace was reported to have warmed up with Penn State’s 2s before the game, but afterward, coach James Franklin told reporters that Penn State decided to hold him out for medical reasons.
“Our medical people make those decisions,” Franklin said. “They were not comfortable. They didn’t feel like he was ready to go.”
“Our medical people make those decisions. They were not comfortable, they didn’t feel like he was ready to go.” – James Franklin on Harrison Wallace III missing the game pic.twitter.com/uxrYItKzZt
— Joel Haas (@Joel_Haas1) September 16, 2023
WR Harrison Wallace III was a DNP against Illinois. James Franklin said the medical staff “didn’t feel” like he was ready to play.
“Getting him back will be important for us”
— Seth Engle (@bigsengtweets) September 16, 2023
Franklin then added that getting Wallace back “will be important” for Penn State.
Penn State and its fans are hopeful that Wallace was held out for precautionary reasons more than anything else. The team hosts Iowa next week. If Iowa beats Western Michigan in Iowa City today, it could well be the first top 25 opponent Penn State’s faced in the 2023. Iowa’s currently No. 25, and Penn State’s No. 7. The game will also be played under White Out conditions. It’s this year’s edition of Beaver Stadium’s most celebrated event.
