Penn State Releases Availability Report for Illinois Game

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

Penn State football coach James Franklin blows his whistle during pre-game warmups before an NCAA football game against Kent State. / Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Penn State linebacker Dom DeLuca and running back Cam Wallace are out for Saturday night's game against Illinois, affecting the Nittany Lions' depth at two positions and adding to the growing the list of sidelined players.

Wallace and DeLuca were injured in Penn State's 56-0 win over Kent State last week and did not return. DeLuca, a special teams captain, left the game in the first half. Teammates carried Wallace off the field in the fourth quarter after Wallace was injured on a run play. Penn State coach James Franklin normally does not injury specifics.

DeLuca's absence impacts a defense already dealing with injuries. The Nittany Lions are without starting safety KJ Winston, whom Franklin has said is out with a "long-term" injury, and several potential contributors, including defensive lineman Zuriah Fisher and linebacker Keon Wylie.

Franklin said this week that, if DeLuca could not play, freshman linebacker Anthony Speca could see more action. Penn State also will rely on redshirt freshman linebacker Ta'Mere Robinson, who missed the Bowling Green game in Week 2. Penn State also moved safety DaKaari Nelson to linebacker during the preseason.

Offensively, Wallace had won the role of No. 3 running back and looked sharp against Kent State in his largest workload to date. He ran nine times for 39 yards and a touchdown against the Golden Flashes. Wallace played in Penn State's first three games, rushing 18 times for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Wallace (5-9, 200 pounds) did not play last year but earned plenty of praise for his progress and his promise. "The thing I really love about Cam is, he’s explosive," Penn State running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider has said about Wallace. "We might have stole one with Cam [in the recuhiting process]."

With Wallace injured, Penn State will turn to a pair of true freshmen as the No. 3 back behind Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Quinton Martin Jr., an early enrollee who scored two touchdowns in the spring Blue-White Game, debuted against Kent State, rushing seven times for 24 yards. Fellow freshman Corey Smith (5-10, 189 pounds) has not played. Penn State had hoped to redshirt one or both of the freshman running backs and still could. If Penn State uses a No. 3 back, it could split the time between Martin and Smith, play them four games each and preserve those redshirts.

Penn State vs. Illinois story lines

The Penn State-Illinois game guide, including preview, players to watch and predictions.

Penn State will recognize the unbeaten 1994 team tonight between the first and second quarters. Former No. 1 pick Ki-Jana Carter is Penn State's honorary captain. Read more about that historic season learn why, 30 years later, "they're legends around here."

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer is "one of the more improved players right now in college football," Franklin said and a major pivot point for the Illini tonight. Remember, Altmyer threw four interceptions against the Nittany Lions last season. He has yet to throw one this year.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema has seen plenty at Beaver Stadium, from the "fighters" game in 2012 to a COVID game in 2020 to nine overtimes in 2021. Now, he'll face "White Out energy."

Speaking of "White Out energy," what is it? And how is it different from a "Penn State White Out."

Penn State's offensive line is off to a good start, but the Illini will test it.

Penn State on SI is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on X (or Twitter) @MarkWogenrich.