<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2YpfFF_0vQKcyBo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2YpfFF_0vQKcyBo00" width="611" height="320" ><a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/">Penn State</a> found itself <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/longformarticle/report-card-no-8-penn-state-forced-to-rally-in-win-over-bowling-green-235747153/">on upset alert</a> last Saturday <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/contentgallery/photos-big-plays-help-no-8-penn-state-survive-bowling-green-235747618/">against Bowling Green</a>, eliminating any potential for the widespread use of young players we anticipated before kickoff. An increasingly familiar trio of freshmen remained involved during <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/longformarticle/top-takes-from-penn-states-too-close-for-comfort-win-over-bowling-green-235900926/">the Nittany Lions' 34-27 win</a>, while <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/article/penn-state-tight-end-freshman-luke-reynolds-235777778/">one quickly cracked the starting lineup</a>.<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/luke-reynolds-46134999/">Luke Reynolds</a> , the highest-rated member of <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/Season/2024-Football/Commits/">Penn State's 2024 recruiting class</a>, started alongside <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/tyler-warren-46049790/">Tyler Warren</a> at tight end. He became the first Nittany Lions freshman to start a contest since the 2022 season, when that feat was accomplished by <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/kaytron-allen-46079018/">Kaytron Allen</a>, <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/abdul-carter-46086350/">Abdul Carter</a>, <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/drew-shelton-46100911/">Drew Shelton</a> and <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Nick-Singleton-46084442">Nick Singleton</a>.Redshirt freshman <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/andrew-rappleyea-46117476/">Andrew Rappleyea</a> was the second starting tight end in Game 1 but spent this matchup sidelined and <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/article/andrew-rappleyea-james-franklin-penn-state-bowling-green-luke-reynolds-tyler-warren-235815838/">was spotted using crutches</a>. Reynolds was the third tight end involved at <a href="https://247sports.com/college/west-virginia/">West Virginia</a>, where <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/longformarticle/penn-state-football-snap-counts-west-virginia-game-2024-235479555/">he totaled 12 snaps in his college debut</a>.That offensive involvement <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/longformarticle/penn-state-football-snap-counts-bowling-green-game-2024-235924293/">jumped to 21 snaps on Saturday</a>, when he saw a good balance of pass and run plays. Reynolds was not targeted, <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/article/penn-state-tight-end-tyler-warren-record-setting-game-bowling-green-146-yards-235822444/">while Warren dominated snaps</a> (52) en route to a Penn State tight ends record for single-game receiving yards (146 on eight catches).Afterward, Nittany Lions head coach <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/james-franklin-56/">James Franklin</a> declined to discuss the long-term potential of Rappleyea's injury, noting he didn't yet have full clarity on a "very recent" development. Rappleyea's injury occurred during the latter stages of last week, as he participated during a Wednesday practice session.An extended absence for Rappleyea would make it increasingly difficult to redshirt Reynolds, who gained an early on-field role due in part to a preseason injury for redshirt junior <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/khalil-dinkins-46097649/">Khalil Dinkins</a>. Considered a five-star talent, he led all tight ends in 247Sports rankings and managed to make a strong impression during August <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/article/luke-reynolds-ty-howle-james-franklin-drew-allar-penn-state-tight-end-tyler-warren-andrew-rappleyea-234748686/">after packing on approximately 30 pounds post-January arrival</a>."Luke is a guy that we have a ton of confidence in," Franklin said on Saturday <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/longformarticle/penn-state-coach-james-franklin-bowling-green-postgame-press-conference-transcript-injuries-235815506/">during his postgame press conference</a>. "Not only physically, but just how he's approached things since he stepped on campus as a true freshman. I've been very impressed with him."Unlike Reynolds, offensive lineman <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Cooper-Cousins-46127901">Cooper Cousins</a> and safety <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Dejuan-Lane-46133498">Dejuan Lane</a> have publicly received "green light" status to burn their respective redshirts as freshmen. Cousins, a guard, again got some backup work, but his seven offensive snaps marked less involvement than last week. Lane was the only freshman defender who played against West Virginia, seeing late work at safety, but he was restricted to special teams coverage on Saturday.Penn State played only three safeties on defense versus Bowling Green despite <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/article/penn-state-safety-reigning-big-ten-defensive-player-of-the-week-kj-winston-sidelined-vs-bowling-green-235790926/">losing star KJ Winston early to an unspecified injury issue</a>. Beyond that trio, there's much to learn about the group, including Lane, a former four-star prospect."Quite frankly, we need him," Penn State safeties coach <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/anthony-poindexter-130/">Anthony Poindexter</a> said of Lane last week. "We don't have a ton depth — proven depth, anyway, right now in that room. But he's mature enough to know what he's doing. Obviously, he got a long way to go, but if he just keeps watching those older guys, they'll help speed up his process. He's got the physical toolset to be a really good player here."From an availability standpoint, the following freshmen were listed as "out" ahead of kickoff against Bowling Green: receiver <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/peter-gonzalez-46130461/">Peter Gonzalez</a>, defensive end <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/mylachi-williams-46138389/">Mylachi Williams</a>, linebacker <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/kari-jackson-46113860/">Kari Jackson</a> and defensive tackles <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/liam-andrews-46128452/">Liam Andrews</a>, <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/deandre-cook-46131814/">De'Andre Cook</a> and <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/ta-cunningham-46111950/">T.A. Cunningham</a>.Quarterback <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/ethan-grunkemeyer-46116115/">Ethan Grunkemeyer</a> was listed as "questionable", though Penn State ultimately didn't turn to a third quarterback. It's worth noting that redshirt freshman <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/jaxon-smolik-46094244/">Jaxon Smolik</a>, still listed as "out" following a spring injury, has been increasingly active on the field, so there figures to be intensified competition moving forward for the QB3 job.FRESHMEN WHO'VE PLAYED IN GAMES (REDSHIRT BURNED AT 5)OL<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/cooper-cousins-46127901/">Cooper Cousins</a> (2)S<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/dejuan-lane-46133498/">Dejuan Lane</a> (2)TE <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/luke-reynolds-46134999/">Luke Reynolds</a> (2)SCHOLARSHIP FRESHMEN AWAITING FIRST GAME ACTIONDT CBOLOL WR DTDT WR DE DT WRQB DEOL LBRBQuinton Martin Jr.CB OL RB LBS DE CB <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/kenny-woseley-jr-46112876/">Kenny Woseley Jr.</a>PENN STATE 2024 FRESHMAN RECRUITING PROFILES</div></body>

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Penn State Redshirt Tracker: Nittany Lions start a freshman for first time since 2022 season

Penn State found itself on upset alert last Saturday against Bowling Green, eliminating any potential for the widespread use of young players we anticipated before kickoff. An increasingly familiar trio of freshmen remained involved during the Nittany Lions' 34-27 win, while one quickly cracked the starting lineup. Luke Reynolds ,...

Penn State Redshirt Tracker: Nittany Lions start a freshman for first time since 2022 season

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