Penn State starting left guard Vega Ioane was listed as out for the Iowa game Saturday as the Nittany Lions lost, 25-24. The reason was undisclosed.
Texas A&M transfer TJ Shanahan Jr. started in his place and handled all 76 snaps, according to PFF .
Fortunately for Penn State, it should be a brief absence for Ioane, who could be a high NFL Draft pick next spring.
“He’ll be available,” interim head coach Terry Smith said when asked for Ioane’s status moving forward.
This was the first missed game for Ioane since his true freshman year in 2022. The redshirt junior had appeared in 37 consecutive games, including 23 straight starts.
Penn State’s offense was mostly functional without the 6-4, 328-pound mauler, especially senior running back Kaytron Allen. Allen recorded 145 yards and tw