State College, Pennsylvania — It’s still too early to tell whether Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter will be available when the sixth-seeded Nittany Lions (13-2) play seventh-seeded Notre Dame (13-1) in the College Football Playoff semifinals. His teammates and coaches are optimistic.
The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year suffered an unspecified upper-body injury during Penn State’s 31-14 win over third-seeded Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl last week, leaving it unclear whether he will play in Thursday’s game against the Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl. .
“I don’t think there’s anything that’s holding him back from playing at this point,” Penn State coach James Franklin said Saturday. “But the important thing is how he can play. And as we will see, his mentality is great. He had a big smile on his face. He is very excited about this week. But it is too early to say at this stage,” he said.
The junior appeared to have suffered a shoulder or arm injury in the first quarter against the Broncos. After exiting the game and spending time in the sideline injury tent, Carter re-entered the series before leaving the game entirely in the second quarter.
Carter hasn’t missed a game in three years. He ranks second among all FBS players with 21 1/2 tackles for loss this season. Carter leads Penn State with 11 sacks and is fourth among Nittany Lions players with 63 total tackles.
“His attitude is great,” Franklin said. “His mentality was really good. We’ll see. But I think he’s taking the right approach and mindset. And it will really depend on how he feels and how much practice he can get in during the week.”
Franklin said Penn State began preparing for the Irish game on Friday and will take Saturday off and practice on Sunday.
While Carter and fellow starter Dani Dennis-Sutton have been stalwarts up front this season, Penn State has found success with other players as well.
Amin Vanover and Smith Vilbert have been part of the defensive end rotation all season, while freshman Max Granville has increased his workload over the last four games.
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