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UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State's most explosive offensive weapon will miss several games due to an injury, coach Matt Campbell confirmed Wednesday.
Sophomore receiver Koby Howard, who has averaged 28.7 yards on 12 catches including two touchdowns, suffered the injury in last week's game vs. Buffalo.
Campbell said Tuesday that Howard got "dinged up" on his 70-yard pass-and-run touchdown in the second quarter against the Bulls.
Wednesday, he confirmed the unspecified injury will cause Howard to miss an "extended period of time" but said it's not season-ending.
"Disappointing for Koby, but he's handled it really well," Campbell said. "I think (projected recovery) is in his best interest of him going forward, making sure we do right by him and certainly our football team."
In addition to being the team's leading receiver with 344 yards, Howard scored on a 20-yard reverse last week.
Campbell also announced Wednesday that reserve offensive lineman Will Tompkins is out for the year.
Coach charged
Assistant linebackers coach Jordan Lucas was charged on Tuesday with driving under the influence of alcohol stemming from an incident in August in downtown State College, according to StateCollege.com.
Lucas had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal driving limit after an officer found him behind the wheel of a disabled vehicle on Aug. 16, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by borough police.
"We are aware of these charges and take this matter seriously," a Penn State Athletic Department spokesperson told the website. "Coach Lucas remains with the program. As this is a legal matter, we cannot comment further."
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21, StateCollege.com reported.
Lucas was a defensive back for Penn State from 2012-15 and played six seasons in Kansas City, where he won a Super Bowl. He was hired to the Penn State football staff in 2024.
Penn State (3-0) hosts Wisconsin (2-1) in its Big Ten opener on Saturday at 5 p.m. The game will be televised on Peacock, which requires a subscription.
Burkle tabbed
Penn State senior tight end Gabe Burkle was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Burkle is one of 206 semifinalists.
The William V. Campbell Trophy, in its 37th year, is tabbed as the "academic Heisman."