Penn State Football Injury, Availability Report for USC

Who's out for the Penn State-USC game? Here's a look at the Big Ten availability report.

Penn State coach James Franklin looks on from the sideline during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Beaver Stadium. / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton will be available for the No. 4 Nittany Lions when they kick off against the USC Trojans on Saturday afternoon at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Singleton, who did not play last week against UCLA, is not listed on Penn State's weekly availability report, which designates players who are "out" or unavailable."

Starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh, who left the UCLA game in the first half, also is not listed, suggesting he will return to Penn State's offensive line. Penn State will be without punt returner Kaden Saunders for the second consecutive game. Saunders, who served as the Nittany Lions' primary returner through four games, wore a boot on the sideline last week against UCLA. In addition, punt returner Jake Spencer, who handled punt-sage situations in Saunders' absence, is out as wekk. That means cornerback Zion Tracy will return punts.

For the USC Trojans, linebacker Eric Gentry will miss his second consecutive game. Gentry (6-6, 215 pounds) has been dominant this season, making a team-high 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks and forcing a fumble. He was injured against Wisconsin in USC's fourth game of the season and has not returned. Starting cornerback Jacobe is listed as questionable.

The Penn State-USC kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

Singleton's return should spark Penn State's run game, which generated a season-low 85 yards rushing in a 27-11 victory over UCLA. Singleton leads Penn State in average yards per game (102) and per carry (7.7) and has scored three rushing touchdowns. Singleton also is Penn State's explosive-play threat from the backfield, with three carries of 40+ yards this season.

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USC's defensive coordinator should be familiar to Penn State fans. D'Anton Lynn, the former Nittany Lions cornerback, is tasked with stopping Drew Allar and Co. today.

Speaking of Allar, the quarterback's numbers are up across the board this year regarding passer rating, completion percentage, efficiency, etc. And he has thrown just one interception. Allar discussed Penn State's changed passing game this season.

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