Penn State senior Tyler Elsdon carving out his own path at ‘Linebacker U’
Now in his fifth year with the Nittany Lions, Elsdon has established himself as a key leader in one of college football’s most revered linebacking corps.
INDIANAPOLIS − Penn State football should have its No. 1 wide receiver and one of its most promising defensive backs ready for its biggest game tonight.
Junior wideout Tre Wallace, who missed last weekend’s regular-season finale landslide over Maryland with an undisclosed injury, is not listed on the Big Ten’s availability report tonight. Also, sophomore backup cornerback Elliot Washington, who missed most of the past three games, has been cleared to play.
The No. 3 Nittany Lions (11-1) do not appear to have any new significant injuries for tonight’s Big Ten Championship Game here in Lucas Oil Stadium against the undefeated and No. 1 Oregon Ducks.
The biggest losses will be starting offensive tackle Anthony Donkoh, who will miss his third straight game after suffering an undisclosed lower-body injury on the second play at Minnesota. Same for key backup defensive tackle Alonzo Ford, who was also injured in the one-point victory over the Golden Gophers.
Both will miss the upcoming College Football Playoff with “long-term” issues, according to head coach James Franklin.
The only new addition to tonight’s availability report: Backup linebacker Dakaari Nelson is listed as “questionable.”
Wallace’s return is potentially big for Penn State. He’s the team’s second-leading receiver, behind only star tight end Tyler Warren, with 35 receptions for 579 yards (16.5 yards per catch) and three touchdowns.
Washington, a sophomore, has been a regular rotation piece at cornerback and leads Lions’ defenders with five pass breakups this season. He should be back in the mix in the Lions’ loaded corner rotation with transfers A.J. Harris and Jalen Kimber, Cam Miller, and Audavion Collins.
The Lions also will continue to miss a few other key players who are out with “long-term injuries.” They include All-America candidate safety KJ Winston, backup tight end Andrew Rappleyea, and backup tailback Cam Wallace.
Once again, PSU will also be without sophomore linebacker Keon Wylie and junior receiver and punt returner Kaden Saunders, who’s out for his eighth straight game with an unspecified injury.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
