Key Penn State Football Players Confirmed Out Against Kent State

Nittany Lions to be Without Several Key Contributors on Saturday

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State football coach James Franklin confirmed on Tuesday that several key players will be out for this Saturday's game against Kent State. The Nittany Lions will be without starting quarterback Sean Clifford, running back Noah Cain, and wide receiver Jahan Dotson.

Sean Clifford

Clifford suffered an injury to his throwing shoulder in the season-opening win over Wisconsin. He is expected to miss multiple games, and his status for the Big Ten opener against Auburn on September 18 is uncertain.

Noah Cain

Cain is dealing with an ankle injury that he suffered in the Wisconsin game. He is expected to miss at least the Kent State game, and his status for the Auburn game is also uncertain.

Jahan Dotson

Dotson is dealing with a lower-body injury that he suffered in practice last week. He is expected to miss the Kent State game, but his status for the Auburn game is uncertain.

The absences of Clifford, Cain, and Dotson are a major blow to the Penn State offense. Clifford is the team's starting quarterback and one of the most experienced players on the roster. Cain is the team's leading rusher, and Dotson is one of the team's top receivers.

With Clifford out, Ta'Quan Roberson will start at quarterback for the Nittany Lions. Roberson started the final two games of the 2020 season and performed well. He threw for 357 yards and four touchdowns in those two games.

With Cain out, Keyvone Lee and Caziah Holmes are expected to split carries at running back. Lee is a redshirt sophomore who has rushed for 202 yards and three touchdowns in his career. Holmes is a true freshman who is expected to make his collegiate debut against Kent State.

With Dotson out, Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith are expected to start at wide receiver. Washington is a rising star who had a breakout season in 2020. Lambert-Smith is a senior who has been a reliable target for the Nittany Lions throughout his career.

Despite the injuries, the Nittany Lions are still expected to be favored against Kent State. The Golden Flashes are coming off a 3-1 season in 2020, but they lost their starting quarterback and several other key players from that team.

The Penn State-Kent State game will be played at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, September 11 at 3:30 p.m. The game will be televised on BTN.