Tag: Penn State

BREAKING: Penn State star QB Drew Allar leaves Wisconsin game with injury

BREAKING: Penn State star QB Drew Allar leaves Wisconsin game with injury

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has exited the Nittany Lions’ Week 9 game against the Wisconsin Badgers with an injury. Backup Beau Pribula is in on Penn State’s first drive of the second half.

Allar was injured while taking a sack during Penn State’s final drive of the first half. He entered the locker room before time expired on the half, then emerged after the break with a brace on his left knee.

The star quarterback went through second-half warmups to test the injury. He expressed visible frustration as he realized his inability to return.

The star quarterback was 14 of 18 passing for 148 yards and a touchdown before exiting. Penn State trailed 10-7 at the halftime break after Wisconsin completed a touchdown drive in the closing moments of the first half.

This will be Pribula’s sixth game action of the season in relief of Allar. He’s 7 of 10 passing for 102 yards, two touchdowns and one interception during those first five appearances, also with 15 carries for 105 rushing yards and a touchdown. Most of his action has come in the closing moments of decisive victories.

Penn State now must overcome a second-half deficit without its star quarterback under center. There have been no official updates on his status, though all indications are that Pribula will take over for the remainder of the game.

Wisconsin currently leads 10-7 with 11:30 remaining in the third quarter.

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Wisconsin punter out-rushed Penn State star running back in first half of Badgers vs. Nittany Lions

Wisconsin punter out-rushes Penn State star running back in first half

Wisconsin punter Atticus Bertrams had one of the highlights of the first half of the Badgers’ premier matchup with No. 3 Penn State. He took a fake punt on 4th-9 of Wisconsin’s opening drive for a 15-yard gain, continuing a drive that ended in a Nathanial Vakos record-setting field goal.

That opening score was a big moment in a first half that ended with Wisconsin leading 10-7. The Badgers’ defense hung tough with the Nittany Lions’ top-ranked offense — not allowing much consistent offense aside from a 90-yard touchdown drive late in the first quarter.

One stat accurately portrays Wisconsin’s performance through one half and the game’s tight margin. Bertrams (one carry, 15 rushing yards) out-rushed Penn State star running back Nicholas Singleton (five carries, nine rushing yards).

Singleton also tallied three receptions, 37 receiving yards and Penn State’s lone touchdown — so it’s not as if Bertrams bested his overall production.

But the Badgers have performed well against Singleton and Penn State’s lethal rushing attack through one half. I’m sure defensive coordinator Mike Tressel is pleased with the stat sheet listing Wisconsin’s punter ahead of Penn State’s star running back on the rushing yard leaderboard.

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Wisconsin K Nathanial Vakos sets program record with 50-yard FG vs. Penn State

Wisconsin K Nathanial Vakos sets program record with 50-yard FG vs. Penn State

Wisconsin kicker Nathanial Vakos set a program record for the most 50-plus-yard field goals with his 50-yard make to open the Badgers’ Week 9 contest against No. 3 Penn State.

The long-distance make is Vakos’ fourth from beyond 50 yards since taking over as Wisconsin’s kicker in 2023. According to the NBC broadcast, that sets a program record.

The former Ohio transfer is 22/30 (73%) on field goal attempts in his year-and-a-half as the Badgers’ starting kicker. Specifically, those totals include 1/1 from inside 20 yards, 6/6 from 20-29 yards, 8/10 from 30-39, 3/6 from 40-49 and 4/7 from 50-plus.

Vakos’ long-distance make is great news for the Badgers’ chances after his relative struggles to begin the 2024 season. He was nearly flawless in 2023, going 14/15 from inside 50 yards. Those numbers have regressed a bit to begin 2024, though are sure to be helped by his long make against Penn State.

His current standing on Wisconsin’s other all-time kicker leaderboards include No. 6 in field goals made (22), No. 7 in points (125) and No. 5 in field goal percentage (73%). Rafael Gaglianone (2014-18) leads the program in nearly everything, and was tied with Vakos at three 50-plus-yard-field-goal-makes entering Saturday.

Wisconsin currently trails top-ranked Penn State 7-3 early in the second quarter. Vakos and the Badgers are looking for a defining victory to entering longshot contention for the Big Ten title and expanded College Football Playoff.

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Wisconsin vs. Penn State injury report: Nittany Lions without star safety for Saturday’s game

All the latest updates and news on Penn State’s injury report ahead of the Badgers’ Week 9 game

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) and No. 3-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) are now just over one hour from the kickoff of their primetime Week 9 matchup.

The contest is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Penn State has released its final injury status report with those minutes continuing to count down before kickoff.

Related: Wisconsin vs. Penn State: TV channel, radio station, matchup preview, and betting line for Saturday’s big game

The Nittany Lions will be without star safety Kevin Winston Jr., among others. Starting kick returner Kaden Saunders and third-string RB Quinton Martin will also miss the primetime contest.

Penn State does not have any players listed as ‘questionable.’

The Badgers, meanwhile, will again be without depth S Kamo’i Latu and WR Tyrell Henry. Starting WR Bryson Green is listed as ‘questionable’ after being called a ‘game-time decision’ earlier in the week.

Here is the full injury report entering Saturday’s Week 9 game between Wisconsin and Penn State:

Penn State injury report

  • Questionable: None
  • Out: Kevin Winston Jr., Kaden Saunders, Quinton Martin Jr., Cam Wallace, Keon Wylie, Zuriah Fisher, Mekhi Flowers, Jake Spencer, Andrew Rappleyea

Wisconsin injury report

  • Questionable: WR Bryson Green, TE J.T. Seagraves
  • Out: Chez Mellusi, Tyler Van Dyke, Joseph Griffin, Kamo’i Latu, Tyrell Henry, Grady O’Neill, Tamer Dalloul, Evan Brown, Leyton Nelson, Rob Booker, James Thompson Jr.,

Penn State S Kevin Winston Jr. injury update

Winston Jr. will miss Saturday’s Week 9 contest against the Badgers. The star safety was injured during the first quarter of Penn State’s Week 2 win over Bowling Green. He was quicklly declared ‘out indefinitely’ and is yet to return to game action.

Penn State RB Quinton Martin Jr. injury update

The true freshman running back is listed as ‘out’ for Saturday’s game against the Badgers. True freshman Corey Smith is expected to step in as the Nittany Lions’ third-string running back.

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Wisconsin vs. Penn State injury report: Badgers starting WR listed as ‘questionable’

All the latest updates and news on Wisconsin’s injury report ahead of a Week 9 game vs. Penn State

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) continue their 2024 season on Saturday with a primetime showdown against the No. 3-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten).

Wisconsin has released its final status report with less than two hours remaining before the 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

Related: Wisconsin vs. Penn State: TV channel, radio station, matchup preview and betting line for Saturday’s big game

The Badgers will again be without S Kamo’i Latu, WR Tyrell Henry, TE Rob Booker and OL Leyton Nelson against the Nittany Lions. Starting WR Bryson Green and freshman TE J.T. Seagraves are also listed as questionable

Penn State, meanwhile, will be without starting kick-returner Kaden Saunders for a third consecutive week. It is also still missing star S Kevin Winston Jr., who has been sidelined since the team’s Week 2 win over Bowling Green.

Here is the full injury report entering Saturday’s Week 9 game between Wisconsin and Penn State:

Wisconsin injury report

  • Questionable: WR Bryson Green, J.T. Seagraves
  • Out: Chez Mellusi, Tyler Van Dyke, Joseph Griffin, Kamo’i Latu, Tyrell Henry, Grady O’Neill, Tamer Dalloul, Evan Brown, Leyton Nelson, Rob Booker, James Thompson Jr.,

Penn State injury report

  • Questionable: None
  • Out: Kevin Winston Jr., Kaden Saunders, Quinton Martin Jr., Cam Wallace, Keon Wylie, Zuriah Fisher, Mekhi Flowers, Jake Spencer, Andrew Rappleyea

Wisconsin WR Bryson Green injury update

Luke Fickell called Green a game-time decision when meeting with the media earlier this week. Green is officially listed as ‘questionable’ for Saturday’s contest.

Penn State S Kevin Winston Jr. injury update

Winston Jr. will miss Saturday’s Week 9 contest against the Badgers. The star safety was injured during the first quarter of Penn State’s Week 2 win over Bowling Green. He has yet to return to the field.

Penn State RB Quinton Martin Jr. injury update

The true freshman running back is listed as ‘out’ for Saturday’s game against the Badgers. True freshman Corey Smith is expected to step in as the Nittany Lions’ third-string running back.

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ESPN ‘College GameDay’ picks for Wisconsin Badgers vs. No. 3 Penn State

ESPN ‘College GameDay’ picks for Wisconsin Badgers vs. No. 3 Penn State

The ESPN “College GameDay” staff all listed their pick to win Saturday’s primetime showdown between the Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) and No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten).

The extended panel for the Week 9 edition of the show included Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, Desmond Howard and guest picker Philadelphia Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber.

Related: 10 stats that will define Wisconsin Badgers vs. Penn State football

All six picked the Nittany Lions to exit Camp Randall with a statement victory.

There is a common thought that when the entire GameDay panel picks the same team to win, the underdog has a better chance at an upset. In this case, that thought favors the Badgers.

The GameDay panel all picked Alabama to defeat the Badgers back in Week 3, however. Wisconsin went on to lose 42-10.

https://twitter.com/drewhamm5/status/1850203856971366884

Badgers fans hope the GameDay curse can work in the opposite direction on Saturday night. Wisconsin and Penn State will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT as Luke Fickell looks for a defining moment early in his tenure.

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Wisconsin football to host collection of top class of 2026 recruits vs. Penn State

Wisconsin football to host collection of top class of 2026 recruits vs. Penn State

Wisconsin’s football program will welcome a collection of 2026 recruits to Camp Randall Stadium for the team’s Week 9 clash with No. 3 Penn State on Saturday night.

In what projects to be Wisconsin’s most significant game at Camp Randall since its Week 3 test against the Alabama Crimson Tide, the program will play host to several high-interest recruiting targets this weekend.

Eight four-star recruits will make the trek to campus this weekend. The most notable include cornerback Victor Singleton, running back Amari Latimer, tight end Jack Sievers and linebacker Tristan Phillips. Singleton, arguably the most coveted prospect on the entire list, is considered the No. 44 overall recruit and No. 4 cornerback for the class of 2026.

Here’s the full list of 2026 playmakers slated to visit Madison this weekend, plus a pair of 2027 recruits in Teddy Jerrard and Zac Fares.

Obviously, a Wisconsin win on the gridiron will play a significant role in how these recruits view the opportunity to represent the Badgers down the line. If UW can lean on its run game and disrupt junior quarterback Drew Allar, Luke Fickell’s group can certainly make this test interesting.

Wisconsin Football Schedule: Are the Badgers playing today? 

Is TEAM playing today? Here’s a look at the schedule and the games to come. 

Will the Wisconsin Badgers be on the field today in Week 9 of the College football season?

Following a 23-3 Week 8 victory over Northwestern extended the Badgers’ current win streak to three games, Wisconsin returns home to Camp Randall Stadium for a marquee matchup against No. 3 Penn State.

Related: 10 stats that will define Wisconsin Badgers vs. Penn State football

Wisconsin and Penn State will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday night. The game will be broadcast on NBC and available to stream on Peacock.

The Badgers enter the primetime matchup with a 5-2 overall record and 3-1 mark in Big Ten play. Penn State, meanwhile, is ranked No. 3 in the latest AP Poll after a 6-0 (3-0 Big Ten) start to the season.

Wisconsin has not defeated Penn State since 2011 and has not notched a win against an AP-top-three opponent since it defeated then-No. 1 Ohio State in 2010.

Wisconsin schedule 2024

  • Aug. 30: vs. Western Michigan (W, 28-14)
  • Sept. 7: vs. South Dakota (W, 27-13)
  • Sept. 14: vs. Alabama (L, 42-10)
  • Bye Week
  • Sept. 28: at USC (L, 38-21)
  • Oct. 5: vs. Purdue (W, 52-6)
  • Oct. 12: at Rutgers (W, 42-7)
  • Oct. 19: at Northwestern (W, 23-3)
  • Oct. 26: vs. Penn State
  • Record: 5-2 (3-1 Big Ten)

Penn State schedule 2024

  • Aug. 31: at West Virginia (W, 34-12)
  • Sept. 7: vs. Bowling Green (W, 34-27)
  • Bye Week
  • Sept. 21: vs. Kent State (W, 56-0)
  • Sept. 28: vs. Illinois (W, 21-7)
  • Oct. 5: vs. UCLA (W, 27-11)
  • Oct. 12: at USC (W, 33-30)
  • Bye Week
  • Oct. 26: at Wisconsin
  • Record: 6-0 (3-0 Big Ten)

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Wisconsin legend to serve as honorary captain for Badgers vs. Penn State on Saturday

Wisconsin legend to serve as honorary captain for Badgers vs. Penn State on Saturday

Wisconsin running back icon Montee Ball will serve as the Badgers’ honorary captain vs. Penn State on Saturday.

Ball, who was inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023, will return to Madison for Wisconsin’s most significant contest at Camp Randall in years.

The 2013 NFL draftee departed Wisconsin as one of the most accomplished athletes in school history. Ball finished fourth in the 2011 Heisman Trophy voting behind Baylor QB Robert Griffin III, Stanford QB Andrew Luck and Alabama RB Trent Richardson. When he left campus, he also set the NCAA record for career touchdowns with 83.

Ball also pocketed two consensus first-team All-American honors, a pair of first-team All-Big Ten selections in 2011 and 2012, the 2011 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and the Doak Walker Award as a senior in 2012.

Wisconsin honored another running back legend, Ron Dayne, with a halftime ceremony against the Crimson Tide on Sept. 14.

In its storied history, UW has produced a collection of the greatest college running backs of all time. Dayne, Ball, Jonathan Taylor, Melvin Gordon, James White, Braelon Allen and Corey Clement are among the most notable playmakers to come through the Bdagers’ running back room over the past 30 years.

Wisconsin vs. Penn State matchup highlights recent recruiting rivalry

A look at Penn State’s recent recruiting success in the state of Wisconsin, and vise versa:

Saturday’s primetime matchup between the Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) and No. 3-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) carries significant weight in the Big Ten race.

Penn State currently sits in first place with an unblemished record, tied with No. 1 Oregon (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) and No. 13 Indiana (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten). Wisconsin, meanwhile, is one signature win away from entering the conference race. A win over Penn State would push the Badgers to 4-1 in Big Ten play, likely just one game back of Oregon and Indiana, depending on Saturday’s results.

Related: 10 stats that will define Wisconsin Badgers vs. Penn State football

Saturday’s game also sees the on-field battle between two programs who have gone head-to-head on the recruiting trail over the last half-decade. Wisconsin has some big recruiting wins over Penn State, highlighted by 2021 five-star OT Nolan Rucci (who has since transferred to Penn State) and 2024 four-star OT Kevin Heywood.

Those are the two most significant recent examples of Wisconsin entering the state of Pennsylvania and earning a commitment from one of its top recruits.

Penn State, on the other hand, boasts similar recent success recruiting in the state of Wisconsin. It has recently earned commitments from four-star TE Jerry Cross (No. 4 recruit from Wisconsin in class of 2022), four-star OT Garrett Sexton (No. 2 in class of 2024), four-star RB Corey Smith (No. 3 in class of 2024) and four-star iOL Donnie Harbour (No. 4 in class of 2024).

Context surrounding each of those commitments is unique. This is listed not to point to a large trend or project into the future. Rather, it is done to outline significant context entering the game. Wisconsin has had recent success recruiting in the state of Pennsylvania, while Penn State has had the same in Wisconsin.

None of Rucci, Heywood, Cross, Smith, Sexton or Harbour figure to play big roles in the outcome of Saturday’s game. Rucci and Heywood are the closest to the field — each enters as their respective team’s top backup at offensive tackle. Still, they all represent an added layer of the matchup’s importance.

That added importance exists because on-field head-to-head win will inevitably contribute to the recruiting pitch for whichever program finds a victory. Given recent history, that recruiting pitch is likely to be made in the opposing state.

Wisconsin is trending positively on the recruiting trail under Luke Fickell, highlighted by a program-best 2024 class. Marquee home victories against top-ranked opponents are what Fickell needs to push that recruiting output to the next level.

Penn State, on the other hand, is already at that recruiting level with perennial top-15 classes and a No. 11 overall ranking in the 247Sports team talent composite for 2024.

It’s tough to overemphasize what a win could mean for the future of the Badgers program under Fickell, both on the field and on the recruiting trail.

Wisconsin and Penn State will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium. The game will be broadcast on NBC and available via stream on Peacock.

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