The Nittany Lions head to Pasadena with one major change to their defensive depth chart.
Penn State will have at least one major depth-chart change when it visits UCLA on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Starting linebacker Tony Rojas sustained a long-term injury this week thatElsewhere, Penn State coach James Franklin could make a move on the offensive line, though he's likely simply to substitute more, particularly on the right side.
And this game will mark another intriguing moment for the weekly Nicholas Singleton-Kaytron Allen snap-breakdown watch. Here's a look at Penn State's projected depth chart for Saturday's game at UCLA.Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Khalil Dinkins celebrates with wide receiver Kyron Hudson after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the FIU Panthers. / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Imagesstarted the first three games, but Kaytron got the start vs. Oregon. Starts don't matter with the tandem backs as much as carries which still favors Singleton, but by just six. However, Allen averages 7.1 yards per carry to Singleton's 3.8, which points toward him earning more carries. Franklin isn't likely to make any changes on the offensive line, though one possible move would be returning Anthony Donkoh to right tackle, where he played for most of 2024, and bringing in a new starting right guard. At this point, that likely would be TJ Shanahan Jr., the Michigan transfer who has passed Cooper Cousins in the rotation. Shanahan stepped in when Donkoh was hurt briefly against Oregon. Though he got only four snaps, that was twice as many as Cousins. Penn State most likely will send out the same starting line for the fifth consecutive game, but Franklin could pull a right-side switch if its play doesn't improve. Tight end Luke Reynolds is begnning to take over the position. He made his second start of the season vs. Oregon and played six more snaps than fellow tight end Khalil Dinkins. Reynolds is tied for second on the team in receptions with 14 and has 10 more than Dinkins. He has been a bright spot through Penn State's offensive issues.Villanova Wildcats quarterback Pat McQuaide throws the ball while being pressured by Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Dominic DeLuca . / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Imagesthis week, when starting linebacker Tony Rojas went down with a long-term injury. Rojas was one of the Nittany Lions' best defenders, tying for the team lead with 4.5 tackles for loss and making two sacks. He had proven irreplaceable, but the Nittany Lions will turn to veteran Dom DeLuca to fill the role. DeLuca, a three-year captain, has played plenty of football and is impactful. He tied for the team lead with three interceptions last season, making two in the. But Rojas and Amare Campbell had taken control at linebacker. They combined for 145 snaps vs. Oregon, while DeLuca played 17. DeLuca gets the spotlight now. There's been a major change in the secondary. Junior King Mack, who didn't earn a starting safety spot for the opener, appears to have taken over now. Mack has started the past two game and played a surprising 80 snaps against Oregon. He and fellow safety Zakee Wheatley were on the field for every defensive snap. Zion Tracy, injured for Week 1 vs. Nevada, has reclaimed the starting spot at nickel cornerback. He and AJ Harris were on the field for 78 plays in Penn State's secondary vs. Oregon. With Rojas' injury, Tracy's role becomes even more important, as he'll have to play a larger role in the run defense.keeps climbing the depth chart and now appears to be Penn State's No. 3 defensive end. He was third among edge rushers in snaps vs. Oregon and nearly made the play of the game. His forced fumble was overturn upon review, aPenn State Nittany Lions place kicker Ryan Barker kicks a field goal during the second quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium. / James Lang-Imagn Images Kicker Ryan Barker has been exceptional this season, going 10-for-11 with a long of 49 yards vs. Oregon. His only miss was a blocked 52-yarder against FIU, which made for an odd decision to punt against Oregon when Barker could have attempted a 53-yard field goal after making his career long in that game. Punter Gabriel Nwosu's attempt resulted in a touchback that netted just 16 yards of field-position switch. Mack is the only Nittany Lion to return a kickoff this season. He has four attempts for 123 yards, including the 73-yarder vs. Nevada that served as his Devonte Ross ranks sixth in the Big Ten in punt returns, averaging 10.6 yards per attempt, though the Nittany Lions are looking for more. His season-long is 34 yards, though he has been close to breaking a few.Mark Wogenrich is the editor and publisher of Penn State on SI, the site for Nittany Lions sports on the Sports Illustrated network. He has covered Penn State sports for more than two decades across three coaching staffs, three Rose Bowls and one College Football Playoff appearance.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Ducks vs. Them’ Video From Penn State Has Oregon Fired UpOregon Ducks fans are fired up for the 'Ducks vs. Them' cinematic recap video from Oregon's thrilling 30-24 victory over Penn State at the iconic White Out in Beaver Stadium.
Read more »
Butcher student sues Penn State for refusing to investigate her sexual harassment claimsThe Department of Labor & Industry wrote a letter in June ordering the university to correct deficiencies arising out of a Butcher Apprenticeship Program job placement site.
Read more »
Key Penn State junior to miss ‘significant time’ with injury, per reportThe Nittany Lion defender was not at practice Wednesday night.
Read more »
Same Questions, Same Results: Penn State's Big-Game Struggles Continue — So What Now?FOX Sports' Michael Cohen provides an in-depth look at why, despite big changes and even bigger expectations, Penn State’s two most important figures — James Franklin and Drew Allar — are still searching for answers.
Read more »
Key Injury to Test Penn State's Defensive Depth at LinebackerLinebacker Tony Rojas is out with a long-term injury, leaving the Nittany Lions without one of their top defensive players.
Read more »
Dan Lanning Addresses Explanation For Missed Targeting Call At Penn StateOregon Ducks fans were upset when the officials determined that a third-down play in overtime against Penn State wasn't targeting against running back Jayden Limar.
Read more »