The euphoria of Penn State’s gritty victory over Minnesota last Saturday was short-lived in Happy Valley. Head coach James Franklin delivered sobering news in his Monday press conference that threatens to derail the Nittany Lions’ College Football Playoff ambitions. Redshirt freshman offensive tackle Anthony Donkoh and reserve defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr. both suffered what Franklin termed “long-term injuries” in the narrow road win.
Donkoh, a rising star on Penn State’s offensive line, went down with a right knee injury in the first quarter while pass blocking. He later appeared on the sideline with crutches, a worrying sign for Nittany Lions fans. The talented tackle had already missed a game earlier in the season after getting hurt against Wisconsin on October 26th. Donkoh’s stellar play recently earned him a nod as a semifinalist for the prestigious Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award.
Depth to be Tested as Lions Chase Playoff Berth
While Penn State boasts solid offensive line depth, there’s no sugarcoating the magnitude of Donkoh’s absence. Wisconsin transfer Nolan Rucci filled in admirably against Minnesota and is slated to start at tackle in the regular-season finale versus Maryland. However, Donkoh’s rare combination of size, athleticism, and technical refinement is not easily replaced. As the Nittany Lions aim for their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance, keeping quarterback Drew Allar upright and clearing lanes for star freshman running back Lamont Patterson become taller tasks.
The hits keep coming on the other side of the trenches. Key reserve defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr., a regular in the rotation, also went down in the first half at Minnesota with an unspecified lower-body injury. Ford’s numbers don’t jump off the page – 16 total tackles and 3.5 TFLs while appearing in all 11 games. But his ability to spell starters PJ Mustipher and Hakeem Beamon and maintain a stout interior wall will be sorely missed.
No Margin for Error in Big Ten East Gauntlet
The sobering injury report couldn’t come at a worse time for Penn State. Even at full strength, the Nittany Lions have navigated a perilous tightrope in pursuit of a playoff bid. In a division featuring recent CFP regulars Ohio State and Michigan, plus a resurgent Michigan State squad, the margin for error is virtually non-existent. Penn State’s defense, normally a fortress at Beaver Stadium, will be more vulnerable to the Terrapins’ balanced attack with Ford out of the lineup. On the other side of the ball, Maryland’s sometimes shaky pass defense catches a break not having to face Donkoh.
“Losing Anthony [Donkoh] is a huge blow, no doubt about it. We’ll rely on our depth and trust the next man up to get the job done. But there’s no sugarcoating it, he’s an exceptional talent and a big part of our success. We’re going to have to get creative with our protections and run schemes.”
An anonymous offensive coach told sources close to the program.
Franklin Faces Defining Moment in Tenure
For head coach James Franklin, this is the type of moment that can define a tenure at a powerhouse program like Penn State. Losing two critical contributors this late in the season would be a gut punch for any team. How he rallies the locker room and devises a game plan to mitigate their absences will be a stern test of his coaching acumen. With a chance to exorcise past demons and finally break through to the playoff, it’s a challenge Franklin must embrace.
The path forward for Penn State is clear, if daunting – beat Maryland. No scoreboard watching, no style points, no margin for error. In a cruel twist of fate, the Nittany Lions’ modus operandi in 2024 – winning ugly, slugging it out in the trenches, riding their defense – becomes infinitely harder with Donkoh and Ford sidelined. If Penn State falls short of the playoff, fans may point to the fateful first quarter in Minneapolis as the moment when a special season went awry.
