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Penn State players to watch in the Outback Bowl: BWI Daily

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•12/20/21•

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Copy of BWI DAILY EDITION (1920 x 1080 px)
Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu has been mentioned by several players and coaches as a standout reserve tackle. Will he get his shot to show it during the Outback Bowl? (Steve Manuel BWI)

Penn State football takes on Arkansas in the Outback Bowl on January 1st, and Blue White Illustrated was at Penn Sate’s open practice on Friday. Senior Editor Nate Bauer joins the show today to discuss what he saw. He joins host Thomas Frank Carr to share the players they’re hoping to learn more about during the game based on playing time and availability.

Penn State’s Tell on Offense

Before that, they follow up on a discussion from last week. Previously, Bauer and T-Frank discussed an article stating that the Villanova defense had a tell from a Penn State offensive player. As a result, they could diagnose if the Nittany Lions were about to run or pass on almost every play. Bauer asked Franklin about the situations and got an interesting answer that he and T-Frank delve into on the show. T-Frank went back and watched the film to confirm which lineman it was and what he was doing to tip the play.

After that, they have a conversation about how something like that could happen into the season’s fourth game and how Penn State fans should feel about that.

Bowl Game Prep, Young Players to Watch

Next, they discuss what Bauer saw at practice on Friday and which players were absent from the media’s portion of the event. With that information in mind, they give you the young players they’re most interested in watching during the bowl game if those players indeed are the starters.

The first player that T-Frank brings up, is tackle Olu Fashanu, who was taking reps with the first team. How significant is it that he saw snaps with the first team? T-Frank wants to see Penn State’s plan going forward, and where Fashanu plays is a crucial piece of that puzzle.

Th next player they discuss is wide receiver Malick Meiga. Was his play at the end of the 2021 regular season a mirage? Or is he going to be a major factor going into 2022? His play will also inform Bauer and T-Frank of what Penn State might plan to do in another area this offseason.

After Meiga, they discuss the defensive line position and which players are essential going forward. Which players see time? Who steps up in the likely absence of defensive end Arnold Ebiketie? After that, they transition to linebacker where Bauer saw a significant re-shuffling of players on Friday.

They round out the show to discuss the safety position and which players will see time if All-American Jaquan Brisker opts out of the game. Penn State has several players that have seen time at the position, but who sees more reps, and where? Those answers could be early clues as to what will happen in 2022.

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