UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State will be without another defensive contributor Saturday night when the Nittany Lions host No. 19 USC in their annual White Out game at Beaver Stadium.
Linebacker Alex Tatsch has been ruled out, while defensive tackle Armstrong Nnodim has been upgraded from questionable to probable, according to Friday’s updated availability report.
Both defenders entered the week questionable, but their statuses have moved in opposite directions ahead of Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Tatsch’s absence creates another challenge for a Penn State linebacker rotation already dealing with injuries.
The sophomore has appeared in four games this season, recording 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble. His emergence has provided valuable depth behind Tony Rojas.
With Cam Smith also unavailable, Penn State will have fewer options to rotate at linebacker against the Trojans.
Nnodim’s improved designation offers some welcome news for a defensive front searching for answers.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.After missing Penn State’s first two games, Nnodim returned to the rotation and has registered eight tackles and one tackle for loss.
His potential availability becomes particularly important after Northwestern gashed Penn State for 413 rushing yards in last Friday’s 34-13 defeat.
Penn State’s defensive line has already been depleted by injuries, including the season-ending loss of Max Granville.
For Matt Campbell’s Nittany Lions, the updated injury report presents another obstacle heading into a critical Big Ten matchup.
Penn State needs a stronger defensive performance Saturday, but it will have to find one without Tatsch.
