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 at State College that he had “no new information” regarding Allar’s status for the Top 5 match at Beaver Stadium.

“At this point, no new information, … but so far, so good and (we’re) getting Beau (Pribula) and Drew a ton of reps in practice,” Franklin said.

Penn State will take the public designation of its starting quarterback until the time of the game against the fourth-ranked Buckeyes. Allar, wounded Penn State wins 28-13 at Wisconsinlaunched as part of Wednesday’s training session open to the media. Franklin said most of the practice reps this week 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 whether the starting quarterback can play Saturday. Allar wore a knee brace on the sideline during the second half against Wisconsin as Pribula led two touchdown drives.

“I think he’s played enough football for us, this schedule will really go all the way to the game,” Franklin said of Allar. “…But the reality is we’re going to have to have both guys ready.”

Elsewhere, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, who 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 tackle Anthony Donkoh healthy in time for Saturday’s game. Donkoh, injured in Wisconsin, gave in to Nolan Rucciwho played a record 49 snaps against his former team.

Looking for more from the return game

Penn State, whose average starting field position is the 26-yard line, is looking to increase that number. The problem is that his return game didn’t generate much. The Nittany Lions have only nine kickoff returns in seven games, so they are looking to generate yards in punt returns. But they also want to continue to secure their catches first.

Cornerback Zion Tracy took over the punt return role following the injury to receiver Kaden Saunders, compiling 14 yards on six returns. He had an 18-yard return called back against Wisconsin because his knee was on the ground.

“We had a few musical chairs trying to find the guy,” Franklin said. “Zion did some good things, (Liam) Clifford did some good things. … You’d like to field more of those balls and be more aggressive, but mostly we didn’t turn the ball over in that category. I checked off this box, great. Now we need to take the next step and be able to start catching more and returning more.

The history of Penn State’s top 5

Saturday’s game is the 12th in Penn State history between the top 5 teams. Penn State is 4-7 in these previous games. The last one came in 2021, when No. 3 Iowa beat the fourth-ranked Nittany Lions 23-20 in Iowa City. Penn State’s last victory in a top-5 game was in 1999, when the No. 3 Nittany Lions beat No. 4 Arizona 41-7 to open the season. Penn State and Ohio State have faced each other once as a top-5 opponent. No. 3 Ohio State won the 1996 meeting with No. 4 Penn State 38-7.

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

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