Penn State coach James Franklin offers an update on the status of Keyvone Lee, Olu Fashanu, before Rose Bowl
LOS ANGELES — Penn State coach James Franklin said Sunday at the head coaches news conference before the Rose Bowl on Monday that running back Keyvone Lee will be back in action when the Lions face Utah at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN. However, left tackle Olu Fashanu will be a game-time decision.
Lee has missed numerous games this year due to an undisclosed injury. Fashanu was hurt late in the Lions’ loss to Ohio State and missed the final four games of the regular season.
“Keyvone will be available,” Franklin said in a ballroom at the Los Angeles Sheraton Grand. “Obviously, he’s been out for a number of weeks. So, you know, we’ll see how that rotation will go. Those two running backs [Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen], obviously they played and played really well. But having Keyvone available is, I think, really, really important. He’s practice extremely well. So that’s been great.”
If Fashanu is not available, Drew Shelton will start again at left tackle. He has done so for the last four games as a true freshman.
“Olu will be a game-time decision,” Franklin said. “We’ve had conversations with him and his family. Part of Olu making the decision to come back was also about him being physically ready to play but also mentally ready to play. He does not want to rush back from this injury. And, that was really what was discussed. So that’ll be a game-time decision.
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“We’ve had really good conversations with his family and he’s been awesome out of practice, not only in terms of the reps he’s been able to get, but also really, you know, coaching Drew Shelton, who, depending on how this thing plays out, could be in a position to be a five-game starter for a guy that we’ were planning on redshirting. So, we’ll see how it plays out.”
Penn State and Utah are ready for game day
Both teams have been in California all week. They practiced at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carlson, experienced the Lawry’s Beef Bowl in Los Angeles, and have participated in multiple media events. Now, with the head coaches news conference in the books, both sides are ready for game day.
“It’s been great,” Franklin said on Saturday. “It really has. We’ve had 15 practices in terms of preparation that we get that the NCAA allows us to have. Our first six or seven back in State College were really almost like spring football, just kind of focused on us, good-on-good, getting our young guys getting involved from a developmental standpoint, and then we obviously started to transition and get ready for Utah.
“The Rose Bowl is always first-class in every aspect when it comes to facilities, when it comes to the hotel. The traditions, we were at Lawry’s last night which was awesome. So it’s been a great experience for our players. But we’re playing a really good Utah football team that we’ve got a ton of respect for. Coach Whittingham has had a hell of a career, and offense, defense and special teams, they’re really strong in every area. So we understand this is going to be a challenge, but I’ve been very pleased with how our staff and players have handled it.”
