Overview
- In a 55-13 victory over Buffalo on Saturday, center Brock Riker and tight end Andrew Rappleyea were removed early and kept off the field as precautionary measures despite tests showing only minor knocks.
- Coach Matt Campbell said both players could have returned but that keeping them out was best for the team and player welfare.
- Redshirt freshman Vaea Ikakoula took over at center and earned praise from Campbell for an outstanding relief performance that helped sustain the offense.
- Rappleyea briefly left for the locker room after a hard hit, returned to the sideline without pads, and finished with three catches for 24 yards and a touchdown.
- Penn State remains 3-0 and will await the Big Ten’s weekly availability report for formal updates as it prepares for its Sept. 26 conference opener while managing thin depth after season-ending injuries elsewhere on the roster.