Penn State football loses more linemen vs Clemson in Pinstripe Bowl

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NEW YORK CITY − Penn State football will play with a makeshift offensive line, after all, in Saturday’s Pinstripe Bowl.

Who will actually block for record-setting tailback Kaytron Allen and his backups against Clemson in frigid, snow-covered Yankee Stadium?

The Nittany Lions will now miss four of their five starters to opt-outs, interim head coach Terry Smith confirmed Friday. Senior center Nick Dawkins and tackles Drew Shelton and Nolan Rucci will miss the season-finale, joining All-America guard Vega Ioane, who previously announced his decision to skip the game.

Starting tight end Khalil Dinkins, a superb blocker in his own right, also will not play, Smith said.

All will miss the game — and not risk injury — as they begin preparations for the NFL Draft. Weather conditions certainly could be a factor Saturday with a storm expected to drop up to eight inches of snow leading up to the game and temperatures approaching 30 degrees.

Penn State’s only starting offensive lineman, then, may be redshirt sophomore Anthony Donkoh, who has played both guard and tackle the past three seasons.

Sophomores Cooper Cousins and TJ Shanahan, both guards, were mentioned by Smith as possible replacements. Same for junior Dominic Rulli at center.

“Those guys have played significant snaps for us throughout the year,” said Smith, who will lead the Lions one more time as new head coach Matt Campbell continues to build his staff and roster. “We expect the same results. It’s the next man up, and with the experience that those guys provide, we don’t expect a drop-off at all.”

Penn State football: Who will start on the offensive line vs Clemson?

That does, however, still leave at least one open tackle spot against Clemson. A starter should come from a group including redshirt freshmen Garrett Sexton, Eagan Boyer and Owen Aliciene and redshirt sophomore J’Ven Williams. None have played significant minutes in any role at PSU.

“Coach (Phil) Trautwein is doing a great job with those guys just preparing, moving some parts around,” Smith said. “It’s a juggle. Come game time, we’ll figure out what the right people in there are. But for right now, the guys are practicing really hard. We’re going to get after it. The run game is still going to be critical to our success.”

Penn State now will have at least 15 players opting-out of the bowl game, including tailback Nick Singleton and starting defenders Zane Durant (tackle), Zuriah Fisher (defensive end), AJ Harris (cornerback) and Zakee Wheatley (safety).

Smith confirmed that Allen and the other starting defensive end, Dani Dennis-Sutton, “will suit up” for the game, but both are expected to play limited roles.

Young Penn State edge rushers Yvan Kemajou and Jaylen Harvey should get substantial work in the game, Smith said.

Clemson will miss more than 25 players for injury and opt-out purposes, as well, according to head coach Dabo Swinney.

The Lions will look to finish with their fourth straight victory to end a disappointing season. Clemson will try to win its fifth-straight.

“We’re not disappointed. We have a tremendous opportunity to finish this season off the way the last three games have gone, and here’s a moment and an opportunity for these guys to step forward. It’s the next man up,” Smith said.

“This is today’s college football. We’re adapting and adjusting, and we have a game to play tomorrow, and that’s all that matters …”

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at  fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football loses linemen vs Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl

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