PJ Mustipher out for the season: Where Penn State Football goes from here

Some bad news out of Happy Valley, as Penn State Football head coach James Franklin announced this evening that starting defensive tackle PJ Mustipher is done for the year.

Penn State Football Starting defensive tackle and team captain PJ Mustipher will officially be sidelined for the rest of the season as a result of injury, James Franklin announced at practice on Wednesday.

The senior went down early in Penn State Football’s matchup against Iowa with what appeared to be a lower body injury, and never returned.

Mustipher was one of the most underappreciated players not just on defense, but on the entire team. Not only is he a great leader, but his play on the field was very consistent. Now, the Nittany Lions will have to replace him along the defensive line.

Where Penn State Football goes from here, with PJ Mustipher out for the season

Derrick Tangelo, who started next to Mustipher at defensive tackle, will certainly need to step up, especially against the run.

As far as a replacement, Penn State Football will probably turn to Dvon Ellies to step into the starting lineup. He has played the most among the backups so far, and has five total tackles so far on the year.

Look for redshirt freshman Coziah Izzard’s role to increase now too. Fred Hansard, a redshirt senior who has been around awhile and has some playing experience, may see some time now too, as well as redshirt freshman Fatorma Mulbah.

Mustipher will certainly be missed, especially against some of the great running teams that Penn State Football will face in the back half of the schedule. But James Franklin has always preached the “next man up” mentality, so we will see how this injury impacts the Nittany Lions going forward.