Penn State coach James Franklin talks status of receiver Harrison "Trey" Wallace III
Penn State is hoping to have redshirt sophomore receiver Harrison “Trey” Wallace III back in action next Saturday when it takes on UMass inside of Beaver Stadium at 3:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network. The Nittany Lion has played in just three games this season while dealing with an unspecified injury. He saw a season-high 48 snaps against Delaware, 38 against West Virginia, and 24 opposite of Iowa. The Alabama native missed the Illinois and Northwestern games. He has 10 catches for 98 yards so far. And, he was listed as questionable against the Fighting Illini, Hawkeyes, and Wildcats.
On Wednesday night, after another bye week practice, Franklin was asked how Wallace II is handling not being on the field as often early in the year after playing in all 13 games a year ago.
“Good,” Franklin said. “You know, he was really full go last week, and got stepped on and tweked it again. So, it’s just kind of one of those things sometimes. But, he looked good today. So we anticipate having him back. And, like I said, he was really going to be back to the week before.”
Getting Wallace III back would be helpful to a Penn State offense that has so far done more than enough to win despite not having as many explosive plays in the run-and-pass games as expected. He can stretch the field and bring a level of consistency to the receivers room that is very much needed as the No. 2 option.
More Penn State injury updates
Franklin did not note that any players are out for the season. That means the program is hoping for guard JB Nelson and running back Kaytron Allen, who both left last week’s win against the Wildcats early, to be back in action at some point this season.
“Like for nine years, I’m not going to talk about injuries unless their season ending,” Franklin said.
To reiterate the point, that is good news for the Lions. That’s true even if it’s not a guarantee that either will be back on the field next weekend.
He said it
On Penn State quarterback Drew Allar handling not having as many big plays this year as some might expect:
“He just wants the offense to run the ball,” Franklin said. “He wants to grade out well with [what he does] after he hands the ball off, making the throws that he should be, making the adjustments to the protection in the run game, all those types of things, he wants to play well. I think he understands him playing well, and the offense playing well, gives us a chance to be 1-0 that week.
“Obviously all players at all positions would like to also put up statistics and gaudy numbers. He’s done that at times. But I still think there’s a lot left, kind of low-hanging fruit for us, specifically in the pass game, but also the run game. So, he’s handled it really well. Super mature guy. He was the same way during the recruiting process.”
