Penn State ‘expects’ the return of defensive end Abdul Carter ahead of Thursday’s Orange Bowl

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — It was an early start for Penn State coach James Franklin and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman, who held their joint press conferences Wednesday morning ahead of Thursday’s College Football Playoff semifinal in the Orange Bowl (7:30 p.m., ESPN) ).

The biggest question of the day concerned the health of two featured players: Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter and Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love.

Carter suffered what the team called an upper-body injury during Penn State’s quarterfinal rout of Boise State. The former La Salle College High star did not return and was seen favoring his right arm after the game, but he is on track to play against the Fighting Irish.

“We expect Abdul to play,” Franklin said. “He’s doing everything he possibly can to play. His approach has been great. He’s lived in the training room. But it’s going to be a game-time decision.”

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Carter had 11 sacks this season and will be a key matchup against Notre Dame freshman All-American left tackle Anthonie Knapp.

Love, the Fighting Irish’s star running back, has been playing through a knee injury since the Nov. 30 win over Southern Cal. He aggravated the injury in the team’s Sugar Bowl win against Georgia on January 2. Freeman has limited Love’s repetitions in practice but said the sophomore, who accounted for 18 touchdowns this season, is “a go” for the game.

“He’s a young man who’s put in a lot of work to the point he’s gotten to right now,” Freeman said. “We have to get him ready for the game, but he is confident.”

Both coaches later hinted at the importance of both players. Franklin said the focus is stopping the run, while Freeman said the game is about “adjustments,” noting the strength of Penn State’s pass rush.

Carter and Love aren’t the only players who will have an impact. Quarterback Riley Leonard and backup running back Jadarian Price complement Love. In addition to passing for 2,383 yards and 18 touchdowns, Leonard collected 831 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. Price rushed for 720 yards and seven touchdowns.

Junior defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, meanwhile, had a sack and 2½ tackles for loss in Carter’s absence. Penn State has forced timely turnovers all season for coordinator Tom Allen, whose rushing defense ranks in the top 10 nationally at 100.9 yards per carry. match.

“Notre Dame does it a little bit different than what Boise State did last week, but that’s the whole philosophy of trying to make them as one-dimensional as you possibly can,” Franklin said.

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