Penn State will be without punter/kicker Anthony Fera for at least the rest of the regular season if not the Nittany Lions bowl game after he suffered an emergency appendectomy earlier this week, according to the Daily Collegian. Preferred walk-on Alex Butterworth with take over punting and kicking duties in Fera's absence.
Fera has been very effective for the Lions this year, notching 15 touchbacks on kickoff and ensuring the Penn State defense starts off with good field position frequently when it takes the field. With him gone, the Lions' kick coverage will have to step up, get down the field and make tackles against Indiana and Michigan State.
The Penn State special teams unit has improved considerably since last season and Fera has been a big reason why. If that success is to continue, Penn State will have to get contributions from other players in order to continue enjoying their advantage in the kicking game the rest of the way.