Penn State Football hopes to get boost from key return on defense

Penn State Football head coach James Franklin says the Nittany Lions could be getting cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields back in the lineup Saturday against Michigan State

Penn State Football’s defense could get a significant boost in Saturday’s game against the Michigan State Spartans.

Cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields has not played a game since getting injured in last month’s loss to the Maryland Terrapins, but Penn State Football head coach James Franklin said this week that the second-year starter could return for the regular season finale this weekend.

"“With the conversations that I’ve had this week with [cornerbacks coach] Terry Smith this week, we think there’s a good chance we’re going to have Tariq this game,” Franklin said Tuesday, via Lions247."

Prior to getting injured back in Week 3, Castro had already produced 12 solo tackles and one pass breakup.

Castro-Fields was expected to be a key contributor on the Nittany Lions’ defense this season, but his absence has opened the door for freshman Joey Porter Jr., and Porter has responded by quickly becoming a back-end playmaker for Penn State’s defense. This week, Porter collected Big Ten Freshman of The Week honors.

Penn State kicks off against the Spartans on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at Beaver Stadium