Penn State continues practice prep for Boise State; see some Nittany Lion newcomers: Photos
TEMPE — Penn State plays next on a Tuesday, which means Sunday is actually Thursday in the Nittany Lions’ universe. In other words, the team took to the practice field in sunny Arizona for what would be its regular jog-through two days before kickoff if it was playing on a Saturday. It marked the first time head coach James Franklin and his staff put their players through drills here ahead of a Dec. 31 College Football Playoff showdown with Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. The game is at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
Penn State practiced on baseball outside of Tempe Diablo Stadium, which is the spring training home of Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Angels.
On the part of the complex with a dirt diamond, special teams work took place while the starters stretched to get ready for the rest of their assignments. On a different nearby field, the scout teams went to work with Franklin, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, and defensive coordinator Tom Allen, plus other staffers, overseeing the action. Most of the media’s attention eventually turned there because, as BWI first reported back on Friday, a number of Class of 2025 signees are cleared to practice with the team and are on the trip.
More: Which of Penn State’s 2025 signees are already practicing with the team ahead of the Fiesta Bowl?
Among the ones spotted Sunday include offensive lineman Owen Aliciene and Michael Troutman, tight end Brian Kortovich, wide receiver Lyrick Samuel, and walk-on kicker Matthew Parker. See photos of them below.
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“I just think the benefit is getting a chance to be around the team and starting to learn how we do things,” Lions defensive coordinator Tom Allen said earlier this week. “You get a chance to physically participate, those that are able to do that, and most of those guys will. I don’t think you can put a price tag on all those additional reps they’re going to get. Just having it to where the next time we get on the field, which will be spring football, it won’t be the first time doing certain things and how we practice and the routines we go through.
“And now start lifting weights and start sitting in meetings and start learning the system. And so I just think that anytime you have a chance to be a part of something like this, that’s a pretty cool experience for our guys.”
More photos from the Nittany Lions’ Sunday practice
Check out other images our camera captured below:
