### Drew Evans' Absence Poses Challenge for No. 2 Indiana Against Penn State - No. 2-ranked Indiana will face a significant challenge in their upcoming game against Penn State as starting offensive guard Drew Evans will be sidelined due to an undisclosed injury. Evans has been a key player for the Hoosiers, starting in the first eight games of the season before missing the last two, including a recent victory over Maryland. His absence is compounded by uncertainty surrounding other injured players, including receiver Elijah Sarratt and linebacker Aiden Fisher, who may return to the lineup [https://apnews.com/article/hoosiers-injury-drew-evans-nittany-lions-cfbe61fe9963d314933950249c31829f][https://wtop.com/ncaa-football/2025/11/starting-offensive-lineman-drew-evans-will-miss-no-2-indianas-game-at-penn-state]. ### Injury Impact and Team Adjustments 1. **Drew Evans' Injury**: - Starting guard Drew Evans will miss his second consecutive game due to an undisclosed injury. He was previously recognized for his strong performance, ranking among the top pass protectors in college football [https://yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/indiana_football_starting_offensive_lineman_to_miss_a_few_weeks_with_injury/s1_16544_43002085]. 2. **Replacement Strategy**: - Zen Michalski, an Ohio State transfer, has stepped in to fill Evans' role. Michalski has primarily played tackle but will now take on the responsibilities of a guard [https://apnews.com/article/hoosiers-injury-drew-evans-nittany-lions-cfbe61fe9963d314933950249c31829f]. 3. **Other Injuries**: - Coach Curt Cignetti has not provided updates on receiver Elijah Sarratt, who left the last game with a hamstring injury. However, there is optimism regarding linebacker Aiden Fisher's potential return, who is a preseason All-American [https://6abc.com/post/psu-no-2-ranked-hoosiers-drew-evans/18108711][https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/46834592/with-psu-next-no-2-ranked-hoosiers-g-drew-evans-again]. ### Performance Metrics of Drew Evans - **Pass Protection**: - Drew Evans has been noted for his exceptional pass-blocking skills, earning an impressive **87.3 pass-blocking grade**, which ranks him 14th among all FBS guards. He has allowed only four total pressures this season, showcasing his effectiveness on the offensive line [https://yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/indiana_football_starting_offensive_lineman_to_miss_a_few_weeks_with_injury/s1_16544_43002085]. ### Conclusion: Navigating Challenges Ahead - **Key Takeaways**: 1. **Drew Evans' absence** is a significant blow to Indiana's offensive line as they prepare to face Penn State. 2. **Zen Michalski's role** as a replacement will be crucial in maintaining the team's performance. 3. **Injury updates** on other key players will be vital for Indiana's strategy moving forward. - As Indiana heads into this critical matchup, the team must adapt to the challenges posed by injuries while aiming to maintain their strong season performance [https://www.ipm.org/news/2025-11-03/iu-has-injury-questions-going-into-game-at-reeling-penn-state][https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/11/03/curt-cignetti-provides-iu-football-injury-updates-ahead-of-week-11-matchup-at-penn-state].