As the Illinois Fighting Illini gear up for their Saturday matchup against Penn State, they received some good news about one of their top pass catchers. Zakhari Franklin led the team in receptions on the year and was a question mark heading into practice this week after leaving last week’s game against Nebraska with a leg injury. The injury occurred in the third quarter along the sideline and kept Franklin there for the rest of the game. Coach Bret Bielema said Franklin will be ready to go when the Fighting Illini walk into Beaver Stadium this weekend.
The Illini were able to overcome Franklin’s absence to win in overtime in Lincoln, leaning heavily on top receiving target Pat Bryant and tight end Tanner Arlin, who is dealing with ailments of his own, but having Franklin available for Luke Altmyer is a great sign for an Illinois team looking to record their third upset victory over a ranked opponent this season when they take on number nine, Penn State.
Franklin Full Go for Illinois Fighting Illini
Zakhari Franklin exited Friday night’s overtime victory against Nebraska with a leg injury. Despite his best efforts to get back on the field, Franklin never left the sideline and left question marks surrounding his availability for this Saturday’s game on the road against Penn State. Coach Bret Bielema assuaged those concerns at his weekly press conference when he talked about the team’s leading pass catcher:
“Zakhari was actually cleared to go back in, but the way we were running it in overtime we didn’t need him in there.”
The Illini ran the ball extremely well down the stretch in their upset win over the Cornhuskers, and in overtime, they ran the ball down inside the five before Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant in the end zone to score the go-ahead and ultimately won a touchdown. When Franklin was injured, he was replaced by Malik Elzy, who made great blocks in the run game. Before the injury, Franklin had five catches for 50 yards, totals that led the team at the time.
Franklin’s Role Against Penn State
The two-time transfer is going to be crucial for the Fighting Illini’s chances of getting their second straight road upset victory over a ranked team Saturday when they take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. If Illinois can win in Happy Valley, it will be their third win over a ranked team in just their fifth game of the season. Franklin, opposite Pat Bryant, will be Luke Altmyer’s top threat to move the ball down the field against a Penn State secondary that has been up and down in their competitive games this year.
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