Penn State football starting quarterback Drew Allar sustained a season-ending ankle injury against Northwestern. During backup quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer's first-ever collegiate start, third-string quarterback Jaxon Smolik was injured and caused concern to rise for who's left under center for the Nittany Lions (3-4, 0-4 Big Ten).
On Saturday against Iowa, Smolik saw minimal amount of time on the field. His limited package consisted of one-play change-ups that took Grunkemeyer off the field briefly. Aside from one first-and-10 snap, in which he lost three yards on the quarterback keeper, Smolik was mainly used on second- and third-down short yard scenarios. He rushed four times for a net gain of three yards against the Hawkeyes.
His final snap came early in the fourth quarter, and following his last appearance on the field, Smolik was seen entering the medical tent.
Third-string QB Jaxon Smolik sustains in-game injury against Iowa in Week 8
247Sports' Daniel Gallen reported that the third-string quarterback had a wrap on his left wrist/hand after seeing the team's medical staff. Penn State has a bye week coming up before heading to No. 1 Ohio State, and it's unknown if Smolik will be available for that Saturday.
Jaxon Smolik has a heavy wrap/cast on his left wrist/hand.
— Daniel Gallen (@danieljtgallen) October 19, 2025
Smolik wasn't anything impactful in the time he logged on Saturday, but it doesn't get any better the further down the depth chart Penn State gets. Behind Smolik is walk-on quarterback Jack Lambert. Lambert is a redshirt sophomore who joined the team in 2023. He has yet to see any time on the field for the Nittany Lions.
Smolik isn't a solid backup, but at the very least he has in-game experience. Second-string and fourth-string quarterbacks are not who Penn State needs to be leading a shattered team.
There was already frustration with offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki even thinking about creating a gimmick package for Smolik. Moving forward potentially without the new backup, Kotelnicki should put all of his focus on Grunkemeyer and help him overcome growing pains as soon as possible. Grunkemeyer needs as many reps as possible both at practice and in games. There's no need for Kotelnicki and Penn State to switch things up. The Nittany Lions need to stick to the basics and focus on keeping Grunkemeyer healthy, prepared, and confident as he navigates the rest of the 2025 season.