Tag: Khalil Dinkins

Backup QB Beau Pribula saves the day as Penn State remains undefeated

Despite losing key players to injuries, Penn State came away with a big win to remain undefeated.

For the second game in a row, Penn State was in a situation where it needed to claw together a way back for a victory. Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, this time they didn’t have to overcome a double-digit deficit as they did two weeks ago against USC, but this come-from-behind victory at Wisconsin took a few more bumps and bruises to get there. [autotag]Beau Pribula[/autotag] filled in for an injured Drew Allar in the second half to help guide Penn State to a 28-13 victory in Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday night. With the win, Penn State remains undefeated going into November and a massive game next week against Ohio State in Beaver Stadium.

Allar left the game at the end of the first half after suffering an apparent knee injury. Allar warmed up before the start of the second half but did not play, giving way to Pribula to run the offense and forcing offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to adjust his playcalling a bit. Pribula played well by completing 11-of-13 pass attempts for 98 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 28 yards.

Penn State trailed at halftime, 10-7, after a strong defensive showing by both teams in the first 30 minutes. It was the Penn State defense that gave the Nittany Lions the lead for good when safety [autotag]Jaylen Reed[/autotag] picked off a pass from Wisconsin’s Braedyn Locke in the third quarter and returned it 19 yards for a go-ahead touchdown, which put Penn State up 14-10 at the time. Penn State went on to build a 28-13 lead with two more touchdowns by the offense in the fourth quarter. Pribule completed a touchdown pass to a wide-open [autotag]Khalil Dinkins[/autotag], who was running uncontested across the back of the Wisconsin end zone. [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag] padded the lead on the next offensive series with a 24-yard touchdown run to put the game on ice.

The status of Allar will be key in the coming week as Penn State prepares for Ohio State. But Penn State has another key injury to watch as well. Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton also left the game in the first half and did not return after a brief series to start the second half of the game. Dennis-Sutton had a groin injury late in the first half.

Penn State will be home next week for the biggest game of the season. Penn State hosts Ohio State next Saturday for a noon kickoff on Fox. The game will be a top-five showdown after the Buckeyes escaped an upset bid at home earlier in the day against Nebraska. It will be just the second top-five matchup between the two schools in series history.

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Penn State player availability report for Week 1 at West Virginia

Penn State’s updated player availability reports confirms a couple of players expected to be out of action.

Penn State’s first road trip to open the season will see the roster without a number of players available. Penn State’s player availability report was released two hours before kicking off at West Virginia, and a total of 14 players have officially been ruled out of action.

Some of the names appearing on the list were not surprising to see. Linebacker Keon Wylie has previously been reported to be out of action for a significant period of time since the spring. Backup quarterback Jaxon Smolik was also banged up with an undisclosed injury during camp.

One of the notable players to miss the West Virginia game includes tight end Khalil Dinkins, who is expected to be a key alternative to star Tyler Warren at the position. James Franklin did note this week that Dinkins had been getting banged up leading up to the game, however.

The following players have been ruled out for Penn State in Week 1:

  • [autotag]Jaxon Smolik[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Khalil Dinkins[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Mylachi Williams[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Kari Jackson[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Keon Wylie[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Zuriah Fisher[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Mason Robinson[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Xavier Gilliam[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Peter Gonzalez[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Jerry Cross[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Sam Siafa[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Liam Andrews[/autotag]
  • [autotag]De’Andre Cook[/autotag]
  • [autotag]T.A. Cunningham[/autotag]

Big Ten schools are required to provide a player availability report no later than two hours prior to a scheduled kickoff. The policy was put into effect in 2023 and has seen a few conferences follow that idea in 2024.

West Virginia has not had any reported injuries this week. The Big 12 does not have the same kind of rules requiring player availability reports for its members. The SEC and MAC each enacted a similar policy beginning this season following the Big Ten’s lead.

Penn State and West Virginia kick off the season with their game at noon Eastern on Fox.

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Best photos from Penn State’s win over Indiana

Here are the best photos from Penn State’s home win against Indiana in Week 9.

Penn State had to dig deep in the final minutes of a rough outing to find a way to a victory on Saturday afternoon against Indiana. Despite being a 31-point favorite, Penn State needed a long touchdown pass and a defensive safety to help seal the fate of this particular home game, a 33-24 victory.

Penn State’s defense gave up more points in a game than it has all season long, and the offense had their rough moments for a second consecutive week. But in the end, the Nittany Lions managed to come out on top and toss aside quite a gritty effort from the visiting Hoosiers.

Here are some of the best photos available from Penn State’s win over Indiana.

Penn State avoids disaster with 33-24 win over Indiana

It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win. Penn State avoids the upset at home against Indiana.

It took far longer than most would have liked to see, but Penn State found a way to get past a big upset attempt from Indiana on Saturday afternoon. The fans in Beaver Stadium had plenty of reasons to be displeased by the performance they witnessed in person but still managed to leave the stadium celebrating a win. Penn State broke a stunning 24-24 tie in the final two minutes of the game with a long touchdown pass from [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] to [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] and the defense added a safety to lead to a 33-24 victory.

Penn State’s offense had some improvements from their previous outing at Ohio State but the offense was clunky for much of the afternoon. Drew Allar ended his day with 210 passing yards and three touchdowns but he had some frustrating moments under pressure with an intentional grounding penalty and his first interception thrown after over 300 snaps to start a career.

But it was how Allar responded after throwing his interception deep in his own end. Indiana kicked a game-tying field goal with 2:58 to play in the fourth quarter after picking off Allar, who was being brought down by three Indiana defenders. On the following drive, Allar found a streaking KeAndre Lambert-Smith down the right sideline. Lambert-Smith caught the ball and ran away form his defender for the go-ahead, and game-winning touchdown.

Lambert-Smith caught 6 passes for 96 yards, with 31 yards coming after the catch. Running back [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag] ended the day as Penn State’s second-leading receiver with 31 yards. Tight ends Theo Johnson and [autotag]Khalil Dinkins[/autotag] each recorded a touchdown catch from Allar in the win.

Singleton rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown in the game, while Kaytron Allen was the game’s leading rusher with 81 yards.

Penn State played a sluggish first half not just on offense, but on defense too. Indiana opened the scoring in the game with a stunning 90-yard pass play as Dequece Carter managed to stay inbounds down the right sideline and sped enough to keep Penn State’s defense behind him. It was the longest play from scrimmage given up by Penn State since at least 2010. Indiana later added a 69-yard touchdown on a breakdown in coverage.

The 21 points given up by Penn State is the most allowed in a game this season.

Penn State will be back on the road next week for a game at Maryland. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and the game will air on Fox. Indiana will host Wisconsin next week.

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Best photos from Penn State’s shutout of Iowa in Week 4

Check out some of the best photos from Penn State’s lopsided victory over Iowa in the whiteout game.

Penn State’s annual whiteout game is always a sight for the eyes, and it looks truly terrific on television. Even when it rains and the winds cause some havoc, there is something special about a Penn State whiteout. And there could be something special about Penn State’s defense.

Penn State’s defense shut out Iowa in a 31-0 victory over the visiting Hawkeyes on Saturday night in Beaver Stadium for this year’s signature whiteout event. Drew Allar was feeling it as well with four touchdown passes and another efficient and productive outing as the starting quarterback. Penn State was in full control from start to finish against Iowa as the Nittany Lions improved to 4-0 in an otherwise wild college football weekend.

Here are some of the best photos from Penn State’s whiteout game.

Drew Allar tosses 4 TDs as Penn State shuts out Iowa, 31-0

Penn State was in full control of Iowa in all areas in a 31-0 victory.

Rain and blustery winds could not dampen the mood for the second-largest crowd in Beaver Stadium history on Saturday night. Not when the defense was dominant in pitching a shutout and [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] passed for four touchdowns in a 31-0 victory over Iowa. Penn State’s dominant victory was a performance that put on display Penn State’s championship-caliber defense and a strong efficient and steady offensive performance against a program that typically plays some of the best defense in the Big Ten.

How good was the Penn State defense? The Nittany Lions not only didn’t allow Iowa to score, but the Hawkeyes were held to just 76 yards of total offense, including 20 rushing yards as a team.

Penn State’s offense got off to a bit of a slow start against a stingy Iowa defense, but the running game continued to chew up yardage on the Hawkeyes. [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag] carried the football 21 times for 72 hard-earned yards and [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag] rushed for 49 yards on 17 carries. The ground game was especially solid in the second half as Penn State continued to wear down the Iowa defenders.

Penn State may still be on the lookout for a second receiver to really step up into a reliable role, but Allar was in sync with his tight ends. Tyler Warren was on the receiving end of two of Allar’s four touchdown passes. [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Khalil Dinkins[/autotag] each added another. Lambert-Smith led the Nittany Lions with 8 receptions and 66 receiving yards.

Allar’s night came to an end in the fourth quarter with Penn State up 31-0. As he left the game, making way for [autotag]Beau Pribula[/autotag] to get some time running the offense, Allar completed 25-of-37 passes for 166 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. He has still not thrown an interception in his young college football career. Allar also rushed for 22 yards on eight attempts.

Penn State’s defense was all over the Iowa offense, which was playing without three of its top players due to injury. Penn State’s defense only sacked Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara twice in the game, but they made for a long evening for the former Michigan passer (who won with Michigan in his last trip to Beaver Stadium in 2021). [autotag]Curtis Jacobs[/autotag] was all over the action with 2 fumble recoveries and a tackle for loss in the game. [autotag]Adisa Isaac[/autotag] also landed on a loose football after [autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag] knocked the ball out of the hands of McNamara on a sack.

Penn State will continue Big Ten play next week with a road trip to Northwestern.

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2023 Penn State football snapshot profile: No. 16 Khalil Dinkins

A look at how tight end Khalil Dinkins fits into the plans for Penn State in 2023.

Going into the 2023 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Penn State roster. Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for James Franklin this season.

Next up is a look at one of Penn State’s tight ends on the rise, [autotag]Khalil Dinkins[/autotag]. Dinkins is entering his third season in the program and he is looking to find a way to contribute more to the success of the offense as Penn State loses one of its top tight ends to the NFL this year.

Penn State spring football preview: Wide receivers and tight ends

Who will be the wide receivers and tight ends to watch in Penn State spring football practices this year?

As Penn State gets ready to embark on the 2023 season, the offense will be expected to be the big storyline this fall. With a new starting quarterback taking the spotlight, it should not go without mentioning that the wide receiver position will be instrumental to Penn State’s success this season. And with its top two wide receivers and leading tight end from last season departing the program for the NFL, there is more to figure out on offense than whether or not its new quarterback is ready to take flight.

Penn State loses Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley at wide receiver and Brenton Strange at tight end. Together, that accounts for 1,550 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns to replace in the passing offense from a year ago. Fortunately, Penn State has some players ready to step up and make up for the lost production, including some young players that will continue to develop this spring.

Here is a look at what Penn State has to offer at wide receiver and tight end this spring when spring football practices open on March 14.

Keandre Lambert-Smith

Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Measurables: 6’1″, 184 lb

Year: Junior

Expected role: Starting wide receiver

KeAndre Lambert-Smith is Penn State’s top returning wide receiver from a season ago. Following the departures of Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley, Lambert-Smith has the most Penn State experience at the position, and he should remain a fixture in the offense for new starting quarterback Drew Allar to rely on stretching the field.

[autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag]

Harrison Wallace III

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Measurables: 6’1″, 196 lb

Year: Redshirt sophomore

Expected role: Possible starting wide receiver, solid contributor

Competing for a possible starting job could be Harrison Wallace III, who had 19 catches for 273 yards and a touchdown last season as a reserve option. Wallace finished sixth on the team in receiving yards in 2022 and is the third-leading receiver coming back from last year’s roster, although a pair of transfer additions to the roster means Wallace will look to make a statement this spring for consideration for an increased role in the fall.

NEXT: Key transfer additions

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

2022 Penn State football: Nittany Lions’ tight ends preview

Overview of what Penn State has to offer at tight end going into the 2022 season.

The passing game has really allowed for Penn State to showcase it’s receiving talent. In recent memory we have seen [autotag]Pat Freiermuth[/autotag] and [autotag]Mike Gesicki[/autotag] who have turned State College success into NFL success.

The talent in the tight end room this year has some NFL-level talent in it as well. Players like [autotag]Theo Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Brenton Strange[/autotag] are already getting media attention being named to the John Mackey Award watchlist. Both men are expected to bring big time blocking and receiving to the Penn State offense with their own unique skillsets.

The room itself has a nice mix of young and old players in it. Coach James Franklin has shown an affinity to give the NFL talent at all positions and because of that he is now aware he has to have deep rosters at skill positions.

2021 Penn State depth chart projection: Tight end

Penn State has two high-quality options at tight end in 2021 to replace Pat Freiermuth. Projecting the depth chart at TE

Penn State has had a pretty good run of tight ends over the years. With Pat Freirmuth off to the NFL this season, there is a starting job left to be won in Penn State’s fall camp heading into the 2021 season.

Penn State’s depth at the tight end position may not be the deepest, but the position looks to be in pretty stable condition with Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson at the top of the depth chart. Both got playing time last season as freshmen, especially after Freiermuth was sidelined in the back half of the season due to injury.

Here’s what Penn State’s depth chart at the tight end position appears to look like for the upcoming 2021 season.