Only three players — offensive lineman Cooper Cousins, safety Dejuan Lane and tight end Luke Reynolds — have played in more than four games to burn their redshirts. Two of those, Lane and Reynolds, have been need-based with long-term injuries at both positions.

There was no indication that Penn State’s final possession last weekend against Washington would be anything other than a routine, clock-eating maneuver. Getting the ball back up 35-6 with less than 90 seconds remaining,

The opportunity for true freshmen to see the field has never been higher than over Penn State’s final three regular season games. That’s amplified in a game at Purdue, a team that hasn’t won since its season opener.