Penn State loses most reliable offensive line on first drive vs. Illinois: latest injury update

After falling behind 7-0 to No. 19 Illinois at Beaver Stadium in Week 5, No. 9 Penn State drove right down the field on its first possession to even up the score. However, the Nittany Lions did suffer a big loss on their eight-play 75-yard touchdown drive. 

Redshirt senior right guard Sal Wormley left the game with an injury and was replaced by Vega Ioane. With Ioane moving over to right guard, JB Nelson slid into his left guard spot and the Nittany Lions offense continued to hum. 

However, Wormley also did not come out for the second drive of the game when Drew Allar was sacked before Illinois finally forced Penn State to punt for the first time. The Nittany Lions are still tied with the Fighting Illini at 7-7 after giving the ball back to Bret Bielema’s team. 

Wormley has been a full-time starter for Penn State since the 2022 season and was named to the Outland Trophy watch list in the preseason. Across his five years in Happy Valley, Wormley has played 1,694 offensive snaps and a year ago he only allowed 11 quarterback pressures. So far this season in new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s offense, Wormley has only allowed one pressure on Allar while Penn State’s run game has been revitalized. 

Sal Wormley latest injury update:

Penn State right guard Sal Wormley is reportedly on the sidelines after going into the medical tent but is without his helmet and his status is unclear. He left on the first drive of the game.

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