UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Starting linebacker Manny Bowen will miss a fourth consecutive start and Penn State's second New Year's Six bowl game in as many years.
Bowen, who has been suspended since Nov. 11 due to an undisclosed violation of team rules, will not be available for the Fiesta Bowl either, James Franklin said Friday at the team's on-campus media day. When asked if Bowen will still be a part of the team next season, Franklin reiterated that the linebacker won't be part of the bowl game. It's unclear if, like last season, Bowen will still make the trip or not. Last year the staff opted to discipline players while at the bowl site, still allowing them to practice.
At this point it's perfectly fair to wonder if Bowen will be part of Penn State's plans moving forward, and while senior Brandon Smith is slated to join Koa Farmer and Jason Cabinda for one final go-around, Penn State will need more depth at linebacker next season, whether they have Bowen or not. Penn State started repping sophomore Cam Brown at both the Sam and the Will, the latter being the spot Bowen started at, since the week of Bowen's suspension.
How will Washington choose to attack Penn State's defense in the Fiesta Bowl? Well defensive coordinator Brent Pry certainly had some ideas.
"I think we'll be tested again in the throwing game," Pry said. "We've got to do a little better job getting pressure on quarterbacks like this one, guys who can extend plays. We've gotta cover a little bit better."
While the defense will be without Bowen it is expected to have starting defensive end Ryan Buchholz back and in all likelihood he's nearing full health, too. Buchholz played late in the Maryland game, marking his first action since getting hurt on the opening drive against Ohio State. Penn State has used Kevin Givens both inside and outside at defensive end during Buchholz's absence, but with the starter healthy that should help boost the defense.
"He's probably our most well-rounded defensive end and his pass rush when we put him inside, it's hard to replace that," Pry said of Buchholz. "He and Kevin Givens are a really good combination in there. It was a tough loss for us. Buchholz is a mature, physically gifted player. We're anxious to have him in the mix."