cbssports
Penn State's football program has received troubling news just as its conference schedule is set to begin. On Wednesday, head coach Matt Campbell revealed that standout wide receiver Koby Howard will be sidelined for an extended period after suffering an injury in Saturday's victory over Buffalo. Campbell noted that Howard was "dinged up" on a 20-yard touchdown run, though the injury is not believed to be season-ending.
The Nittany Lions kick off Big Ten action on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Wisconsin to Happy Valley.
A three-star recruit in the 2025 class, Howard saw limited action as a freshman but has emerged as a key playmaker for Penn State in the first three games of this season. He currently leads the team with 12 receptions and 344 receiving yards, along with three touchdowns. Howard's connection with Iowa State transfer quarterback Rocco Becht has been a major factor in the Nittany Lions' fast start. He has surpassed the 100-yard mark in two of three contests and ranks first in the Big Ten with an average of 28.7 yards per catch.
Penn State's offense has been prolific against lesser opponents, averaging 42.3 points per game, but the competition is about to intensify.
Key Analysis
In the short term, the Nittany Lions should manage without Howard, as they are expected to be heavy favorites against Wisconsin and Northwestern. However, if his absence extends beyond that, the team could face significant challenges. USC visits Happy Valley on October 10, followed by a road trip to Michigan the next week. Should Howard miss those critical matchups, Penn State will need someone to step up and fill the void.
The most likely candidate to assume a larger role is Iowa State transfer Chase Sowell, who already has a strong rapport with Becht. Last season, Sowell recorded 500 receiving yards for the Cyclones, though he found the end zone only twice. Another option is tight end Benjamin Brahmer, also a transfer from Iowa State. At 6-foot-7, Brahmer poses a formidable red-zone threat and led the Cyclones with six touchdown catches last fall.
Originally reported by cbssports.