UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State will be without wide receiver Koby Howard for the fifth consecutive game as the Nittany Lions prepare to host Purdue on Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium.
There was optimism that Howard could return after missing the previous four games with an undisclosed injury. However, head coach Matt Campbell indicated earlier in the week that Howard remained questionable and emphasized that he would not rush the receiver back before he was 100% healthy.
Saturday’s game-day availability report confirmed Howard will remain sidelined, leaving Penn State without another offensive weapon as it looks to build momentum against the Boilermakers.
Compounding Penn State’s concerns at wide receiver is the uncertain status of Chase Sowell, who is a late scratch for this afternoon.
Sowell has been Penn State’s most productive receiver this season, leading the Nittany Lions in receptions (34), receiving yards (510) and receiving touchdowns (3).
His absence would leave Penn State without its leading receiver and further test an offense already dealing with injuries at the position.
The uncertainty extends to the defensive side of the ball, where defensive end Yvan Kemajou is also a game-time decision.
Kemajou remains the last Penn State defensive lineman to record a sack, accomplishing the feat against Buffalo earlier this season.
Penn State’s defensive line has struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, accounting for just two sacks through seven games.
With Kemajou’s availability uncertain, the Nittany Lions could be without another contributor from a defensive front that has struggled to produce impact plays in the backfield.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Defensive end Alexander McPherson and defensive tackle Armstrong Nnodim are also listed as game-time decisions, adding further uncertainty to Penn State’s defensive line rotation.
In total, Penn State has 14 players ruled out and five listed as game-time decisions for Saturday’s matchup.
The complete Penn State game-day availability report is listed below.
OUT (14 Players)
CB #15 Joshua Johnson
DE #18 Max Granville
LB #25 Alex Tatsch
S #27 Omarion Davis
CB #30 Christian Askew
CB #35 Tyler Armstead
DE #42 Mason Robinson
DT #56 Alijah Carnell
OL #66 Will Tompkins
TE #80 Cooper Alexander
DT #90 Liam Andrews
K #95 Cristiano Rosa
WR #6 Koby Howard
WR #0 Chase Sowell
S #4 Jeremiah Cooper
DE #33 Alexander McPherson
GAME-TIME DECISIONS (5 Players)
DE #19 Yvan Kemajou
DT #91 Armstrong Nnodim
TE #83 Brian Kortovich
