UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State will be without starting linebacker Manny Bowen for a second consecutive week, James Franklin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference.
Bowen, who missed last Saturday's game against Rutgers due to a violation of team rules, will miss his second start this season and his third start dating back to last year's Rose Bowl game when he was also suspended for a violation of team rules. Expect linebacker Brandon Smith to remain in the starting lineup, along with Jason Cabinda and a combination of Koa Farmer and Cam Brown, the latter whom Franklin said the Lions want to continue working on the field in different roles.
"Bowen is not available right now," Franklin said when asked if the linebacker has a chance to return the rest of the season. Through Bowen's nine starts this season, he has 51 tackles, third-most on the team.
Smith's spot start on Saturday against Nebraska will bookend a carer where he came to Penn State as a walk-on player, once a fullback and then a scout teamer on special teams. Smith has aspirations of attending medical school after finishing his football career and getting in the starting lineup on senior day this week certainly is a testament to Smiths' perseverance, Franklin said. For a player who came to Penn State as a walk on who worked at fullback and then pleaded with the coaches to switch from tight end to linebacker, ultimately it's paid off for Smith and Penn State.
"It's like I tell all the guys all the time, you never know when your opportunity is going to come," Franklin said. "It's probably not going to come at the time that you think it should. But if you keep working hard, it's going to happen for you, and that was Brandon. He kept telling us he was ready, and we kind of kept shoving him away. He kept coming back. Instead of sulking, he just worked harder. Then he gets his opportunity and he's been put on scholarship. He's played a significant role on defense. He's played a significant role on special teams. He starts last week. He has 10 tackles. He's the player of the game. He brings so much maturity. The coaches trust him."
Smith was thrust onto the field last season against Michigan when the Lions were depleted at linebacker. He's continued as a role player on special teams and contributing to the defense as needed. The lone player on the Lions' roster who is married, Smith said he's just glad he got a chance to play on defense.
"I knew I could play linebacker, so I talked to Coach Pry, I'd talk to Coach Franklin, you know, Pry, once a week, every other week I'd be up in one of their offices telling them I can do this. I'm not pulling your leg or anything like that," Smith said. "I was thankful to have guys like Ben Kline or Nyeem Wartman who are older guys who were there while I came in as a linebacker, and they kind of vouched for me. I appreciate them because ultimately they let me switch and I'm really thankful for that opportunity. Who knows, they probably might have cut me if I stayed a tight end. So just thankful for that opportunity."
While Bowen won't play in Beaver Stadium again this season, Penn State's defense could receive a boost should injured defensive end Ryan Buchholz return to the field. Buchholz hasn't played since getting injured early in the Ohio State game. He was on the sidelines last week and off crutches.
"Hopefully we'll get some guys back from injuries, which would be helpful," Franklin said when asked about the Lions' pass rush.