All signs are pointing to Penn State running back Nick Singleton playing against USC Saturday.
Singleton, the former Gov. Mifflin star, did not play last week against UCLA because of a leg injury that he suffered against Illinois two weeks ago.
Nittany Lions coach James Franklin said Monday that he was very confident that Singleton will be ready for the Big Ten game at 3:30 (TV-CBS) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
“We’re looking forward to having Nick back out there,” quarterback Drew Allar said Wednesday. “Hopefully he’s all good and that he just brings that explosiveness that he’s shown in the first four or five games of the year.”
Singleton ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 102.0 rushing yards per game, is second in all-purpose yards with 139.5 per game and is fifth nationally with 7.70 yards per carry.
In other injury news, Franklin said after practice Wednesday night that he expects starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh to play Saturday.
Donkoh, a redshirt freshman, left last week’s game against UCLA with what appeared to be an upper-body injury and did not return.
“You know we’ve been very pleased with Anthony,” Franklin said. “We anticipate having him on Saturday.”
Linebacker Dominic DeLuca, a former standout at Wyoming Area, missed the Illinois game with an injury to his right hand or wrist before returning to start last week against UCLA while wearing a cast.
In 10 snaps, he combined on one tackle in the backfield and had a quarterback hurry.
“I thought he did a nice job last week,” Franklin said. “He was physical on kickoff (coverage) and was good on defense. I don’t know if he’ll get exactly the same number of reps, probably in between what he did last week and what he’s done in the past.”
Tracy set as returner: Defensive back Zion Tracy will again handle punt returning duties for Penn State in place of the injured Kaden Saunders.
Tracy made his first appearance as a punt returner last week against UCLA and had 11 yards on three attempts.
“We anticipate having Zion back there,” Franklin said. “He’s done a nice job. We think he has big-play potential.”
Tracy will field kicks from USC punter Eddie Czaplicki, who’s averaging 50.6 yards and has 10 punts of at least 50 yards. Opponents, though, are averaging 7.6 yards per return.
“Their punter does a nice job,” Franklin said. “But sometimes he’ll outkick his coverage.”
Recognition time: Penn State was among the 22 schools recognized Thursday by the Joe Moore Award committee.
The Moore Award is presented each year to the most outstanding offensive line in college football. The semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 12 and the finalists on Dec. 3.
The Nittany Lions are one of six Big Ten teams recognized, along with Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Rutgers. Their offensive linemen have paved the way for Penn State to rank 13th in the country in yards per play (7.28) and 19th in rushing yards (217.8).
Penn State has allowed 34 pressures, tied for the seventh fewest in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and has rushed for at least 220 yards in 4-of-5 games.
