Two Penn State linemen suffered injuries against Minnesota that coach James Franklin described Monday as “long term.”
Starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh injured his right knee on the second play of the game while trying to protect quarterback Drew Allar in pass protection. He was carted off the field before he returned in street clothes using crutches.
Second-team defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr. suffered a leg injury while being blocked or held on a Minnesota run to his side in the second quarter. He also did not return.
“When I talked about the adversity we faced at Minnesota, there were a lot of reasons for that,” Franklin said Monday, referring to those two injuries.
It’s highly unlikely that Donkoh or Ford will be back this year.
Donkoh, a redshirt freshman from Aldie, Va., has started every game but one and has been considered one of the Nittany Lions’ best run blockers.
Former Warwick star Nolan Rucci, who transferred from Wisconsin in January, replaced Donkoh and finished the game. His only start for Penn State came against Ohio State earlier this month.
“We felt like Rucci played well,” Franklin said. “We were pleased with Rucci. We sure are glad he’s on our team. I felt like that all year long. We’re gonna need him to have a really good week of preparation. We have a lot of confidence that he will.”
Offensive line coach Phil Trautwein will move several pieces around in Donkoh’s absence, including fifth-year senior JB Nelson, redshirt freshman J’ven Williams of Wyomissing and freshmen Cooper Cousins and Eagan Boyer.
“JB’s role will increase and he’s earned that,” Franklin said. “JB had some lingering injuries this year that have affected how much we’ve been able to use him. But his role will increase.
“I would also say Cooper Cousins’ role and J’ven Williams’ role will increase. Eagan Boyer’s role could increase. All those guys will take on some of those reps and take on some of those roles.”
Ford, a fifth-year senior who transferred from Old Dominion in 2023, is the second defensive tackle that Penn State has lost this season. Sixth-year senior Hakeem Beamon left the team early this month.
Kaleb Artis, Ty Blanding and Xavier Gilliam could see increased playing time as part of a rotation with Zane Durant, Dvon J-Thomas and Coziah Izzard.
Durant stands out: Durant, a junior, was disruptive against Minnesota, making five tackles overall and 2.5 in the backfield.
He’s seventh on the team with 31 stops and is second with 8.5 tackles for loss. He also has 2.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries and one pass breakup.
“Zane is playing really good,” Franklin said. “I made a big deal out of it on Sunday with our team. He’s the same guy every single day. He is mentally tough. He is physically tough.
“He loves football. He understands and is willing to do the things that football takes, the sacrifices he has to make to be a great player. I’m a big fan.”
Allar’s frustration: Quarterback Drew Allar became frustrated in the third quarter at Minnesota because center Nick Dawkins couldn’t hear his cadence as Penn State was trying a quick kick.
Allar said after the game it was because Minnesota’s defensive linemen were mimicking the Lions’ cadence.
Franklin had two or three one-on-one conversations with Allar after he returned to the sideline.
“I want him to be fiery,” Franklin said. “I want him to play with passion and emotion. He gave me good feedback and I gave him good feedback. Then he went out and played really well.
“I expect there to be fire and emotion and I’m totally OK with that. I encourage that. We work too hard, we sacrifice way too much. I’m glad Drew is showing that side of his personality. I think it was great.”
Allar ranks fifth in the nation in pass efficiency. He’s completed 58-of-75 passes (77.3%) for 711 yards and five touchdowns without an interception in the last three games.
