Oregon running back Noah Whittington is expected to return from a two-game injury absence when the No. 6 Ducks visit No. 3 Penn State on Saturday night in a Big Ten showdown.
Whittington’s injury is undisclosed. He has 159 rushing yards on just 14 carries this season.
Ducks coach Dan Lanning indicated early in the week that Whittington should be available. The team will submit an injury report but it isn’t released publicly until two hours before kickoff.
In last season’s Big Ten title game, Whittington rushed for a season-best 82 yards on 15 carries as the Ducks defeated Penn State 45-37.
Whittington had 68 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in the season opener against Montana State and carried four times for 91 yards and a score against Oklahoma State in Week 2. The TD against the Cowboys came on a 59-yard run.
Whittington rushed for 540 yards and six touchdowns and had 24 receptions for 136 yards and two scores in 2004.
Jayden Limar has been the busiest Oregon running back with 32 carries this season. He has rushed for three TDs and leads the squad with 215 rushing yards.