Matt Campbell Gives Positive Injury Update on Andrew Rappleyea, Brock Riker

So far in 2026, Penn State has seen players returning to the roster from injury rather than the other way around. That seemed to change on Saturday during a 55-13 win over Buffalo when tight end Andrew Rappleyea and center Brock Riker both left the game in the first half and didn’t return.

But according to head coach Matt Campbell in his post-game press conference, both players are “just kind of dinged up” and “could’ve gone back in” if necessary. He called both situations a precaution.

Rappleyea, a co-starter alongside Iowa State transfers Ben Brahmer and Gabe Burkle, left the game after being tackled following a 13-yard reception in the first half. He went to the locker room and later emerged on the sideline in street clothes, joining the team for the post-game alma mater.

Riker was replaced by Vaea Ikakoula in the first quarter, who finished out the game. Campbell’s comments indicated Riker was dealing with a lingering injury that was bothering him early in the game after he earned the start.

“We really didn’t know exactly where we would be with Brock going into the game,” Campbell said. “We wanted to at least get him out there. It still didn’t feel like he was at 100%; it didn’t feel like it was the right situation to leave him in the game.”

Campbell called Ikakoula one of the “highlights of the day” in replacement duty and said he’s glad to know two players can man the offense from the center position this season. Previously, Dom Rulli was thought to be the backup to Riker after battling him throughout the offseason for a starting role.