After missing the last two games, Penn State football will have three key defensive players suiting up for its matchup against Illinois, according to the team’s availability report.

Defensive end Amin Vanover, defensive tackle Coziah Izzard, and cornerback Daequan Hardy will all return to the playing field for Penn State Saturday after missing the opening two matchups.

Vanover returns after appearing in every game for the Nittany Lions last year, recording 16 tackles, two quarterback hurries, and three pass breakups.

Izzard starts his 2023 season after appearing in nine games last season where he made ten tackles, including four tackles for loss, two sacks, and a quarterback hurry.

Hardy rounds out the defensive trio making their debut after appearing in every game last season, racking up 13 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception, and four pass breakups.

Wide receiver Omari Evans is not on this week’s availability report after being listed as questionable for the last two games. Evans didn’t make an impact in the Nittany Lions’ season opener but recorded a four-yard touchdown catch against Delaware.

Malick Meiga remains out after missing last week’s contest. The special teams captain recorded one reception for seven yards in the opening matchup against West Virginia but didn’t see the field during the game against Delaware. Last year, Meiga caught three passes for 19 yards in 12 games.

Wide receiver Trey Wallace is listed as questionable for Saturday. Wallace has 10 receptions for 98 yards through the first two games of the season, with 72 coming in the opening matchup against West Virginia.