Vega Ioane, Zuriah Fisher, Jaxon Smolik injury updates: Will the two Penn State starters, backup QB, be back at Ohio State?

Penn State was without starting guard Vega Ioane two weekends ago at Iowa. Interim head coach Terry Smith did not reveal the exact reason why the standout blocker did not travel with the team to Kinnick Stadium. But, he did say that he would be back in action at some point this season. Smith was asked Monday whether or not that would be for this weekend’s trip to No. 1 Ohio State in addition to an injury update on second-year Nittany Lion Cooper Cousins.

“Both of those guys [Ioane and Cousins] will be available this week, we’re looking forward to getting those back out there,” Smith said.

Without Ioane against the Hawkeyes, Penn State started TJ Shanahan at left guard — the spot Ioane usually mans — with Anthony Donkoh and Nolan Rucci at right guard and tackle, respectively. The protection was OK for first-time starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, a redshirt freshman. It was not as good as it could have been. But, it was also better than previous low points during the 2025 season.

“I thought our offensive line did a nice job,” Smith said after losing 25-24 to Iowa. “Kaytron [Allen] had a great game. He was running the ball effectively. He had zero carries for negative yards. Everything was positive. Twenty-eight touches. I’m super proud of those guys for that. I think we might have had one sack, I think the stats read.

“So we protected when we went to throw. We just have to be able to push the ball. It’s tough. You know, I’m a DB guy by nature. It’s tough when the secondary is sitting on your intermediate zones. There’s no separation. Every throw has got to be in a tight window. We just have to be able to push the ball down the field to make that better.”

More from Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith’s weekly news conference

Smith was also asked about the status of backup quarterback Jaxon Smolik and Penn State veteran defensive end Zuriah Fisher.

“Jaxon Smolik, there’s no update right now,” Smith said. “We do know Bekkem Kritza will be available if Jaxon isn’t around. And, Zuriah Fisher should be back this week.”

Smolik hurt his lower left arm late in the Iowa loss. Fisher, meanwhile, hurt himself sometime in the first half. The Penn State Sports Network said he was stretching out his right knee before halftime. Afterward, he did not have his helmet on the sideline and did not take the field over the final 30 minutes of game action.