Penn State quarterback Drew Allar practiced Wednesday, but remains a game-time decision for Saturday’s game against Ohio State. Nittany Lions coach James Franklin told reporters Wednesday after practice in State College that he had “no new information” about Allar’s status for the Top 5 game at Beaver Stadium.

“There’s no new information at this point… but so far, so good and (we’re) getting both Beau (Pribula) and Drew plenty of reps in practice,” Franklin said.

Penn State will take the public designation of its starting quarterback until game time against the fourth-ranked Buckeyes. Allar, wounded in Penn State win 28-13 at Wisconsinpitched as part of Wednesday’s practice segment that was open to the media. Franklin said most of this week’s practice reps went to Allar and Pribula.

Earlier this week, Franklin said Allar’s experience as a two-year starter would give the coaching staff more time to determine if the starting quarterback can play Saturday. Allar was wearing a knee pad on the sideline during the second half against Wisconsin as Pribula led two touchdown drives.

“I think he’s played enough football for us that that timeline will come down to the game, really,” Franklin said of Allar. “…But the reality is we’re going to have to have both guys ready.”

Furthermore, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, who has started all seven games this season, was not seen by reporters during the viewing window. Dennis-Sutton was also injured in the first half against Wisconsin, played one play in the second half and did not return. He is a key player on the Nittany Lions’ defensive line, with four tackles for loss, two sacks and two quarterback hurries this season.

Penn State is also looking to get right tackle Anthony Donkoh back to health in time for Saturday’s game. Donkoh, wounded in Wisconsin, gave way to Nolan Rucciwho played a season-high 49 snaps against his former team.

Looking for more from the second leg

Penn State, whose average starting field position is the 26-yard line, is looking to expand that number. The problem is that his return game hasn’t generated much. The Nittany Lions have just nine kickoff returns in seven games, so they’re looking to generate yardage on punt returns. But they also want to continue securing the capture first.

Cornerback Zion Tracy took over as a punt returner after receiver Kaden Saunders’ injury, compiling 14 yards on six returns. He had an 18-yard return against Wisconsin called back because his knee was down.

“We had a bunch of musical chairs trying to find the guy,” Franklin said. “Zion has done good things, (Liam) Clifford has done good things… You would love to field more of those balls and be more aggressive, but the most important thing is that we haven’t turned the ball over in that category. We checked that box, great “Now we have to take the next step and be able to start capturing more of those and returning more of them.”

The history of Penn State’s top 5

Saturday’s game is the 12th in Penn State history among the top 5 teams. Penn State is 4-7 in those previous games. The last was in 2021, when No. 3 Iowa defeated the fourth-ranked Nittany Lions 23-20 in Iowa City. Penn State’s last win in a top-5 game was in 1999, when the No. 3 Nittany Lions defeated No. 4 Arizona 41-7 to open the season. Penn State and Ohio State have met once as top-5 opponents. No. 3 Ohio State won the 1996 meeting with No. 4 Penn State 38-7.

Penn State hosts Ohio State at noon ET Saturday on FOX.

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