PSU's James Franklin on Claims of Faked Injuries vs. Iowa: 'We Don't Coach It'
Oct 13, 2021
IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 9: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Penn State head coach James Franklin is firing back at Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz.
After Ferentz defended Iowa fans for booing injured Penn State players during the Hawkeyes' Week 6 win over the Nittany Lions, Franklin is not happy with the implication that his players were faking their injuries. He expressed his displeasure Wednesday in a prepared statement.
"We don’t coach it, we don’t teach it. … 70 percent of these guys were out for the rest of the game," he told reporters.
Franklin announced Wednesday that senior defensive tackle PJ Mustipher is out for the remainder of the season. Mustipher left the game against the Hawkeyes after the first drive and was seen using crutches while he stood on the sidelines.
The Nittany Lions also lost starting quarterback Sean Clifford after he suffered an apparent arm injury in the second quarter. He emerged from the locker room after halftime without his uniform on and a wrap on his right arm. Franklin said Wednesday there's no update on Clifford's status.
Ferentz told reporters Tuesday that he felt bad for the players who suffered legitimate injuries, but he indicated that he believed some players went down to stop the momentum of the Hawkeyes offense. In his defense of fans who booed the injured players, Ferentz said they "aren't stupid" and "they smelled a rat."
Franklin disputed those claims because he said Iowa doesn't run a high-tempo offense where faking injuries would be a necessary strategy. He took particular issue with the lack of regard for the players' health.
"Put yourselves in the shoes of a parent," he said. "Your son is down on the field for an injury, and the stadium is booing them."
"I just told you PJ Mustipher is done for the year and we're booing," he added. "Is that good for college football?"
Penn State will have extra time to heal up as the Nittany Lions are off this week and will return Oct. 23 against Illinois.
Football Player Sues Michigan State for Suspension amid Sexual Assault Investigation
Oct 11, 2021
Michigan State's logo is seen on Spartan Stadium before the start of an NCAA college football game between Michigan State and Tulsa, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
A Michigan State football player, known only as John Doe, has filed a lawsuit against the school claiming he has been unfairly suspended amid a sexual assault investigation, per Ken Palmer of the Lansing State Journal.
A female student said the sophomore was one of two Spartans football players to sexually assault her in January 2021. The plaintiff denies the claim, saying the encounter was consensual.
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker suspended the player indefinitely from all team activities after learning of the accusation in February. The investigation remains active, preventing the player from returning to the team.
"Depriving plaintiff of access to the football team's activities deprives plaintiff of a substantial educational opportunity," the lawsuit states.
The woman asked Michigan State to conduct a formal investigation on March 30, although there has been no resolution to this point.
"MSU has not completed the grievance process, has not submitted the case to the final decision-makers, has not held a hearing, and has not provided Plaintiff with either updates regarding timing or an end date," the lawsuit stated, per ESPN's Paula Lavigne.
Michigan State didn't comment on the matter, calling it a "pending litigation," according to Matt Wenzel of MLive.com.
The school hired a new Title IX coordinator earlier this month with Nicole Schmidtke replacing Tanya Jachimiak in a role that oversees sexual assault allegations. Michigan State was fined $4.5 million by the U.S. Education Department in 2019 because of its lack of compliance with Title IX, mostly stemming from sexual assault allegations against former university doctor Larry Nassar.
Lavigne and Nicole Noren of ESPN also reported in 2018 an extensive list of sexual assault and domestic violence accusations against Spartans football players under then-head coach Mark Dantonio. Tucker was hired in February 2020 after Dantonio resigned.
No. 3 Iowa Beats No. 4 Penn State 23-20 After Sean Clifford Leaves with Injury
Oct 9, 2021
Iowa wide receiver Charlie Jones (16) celebrates his touchdown with receiver Keagan Johnson (6) and tight end Sam LaPorta (84) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Iowa now has the inside track in the Big Ten to the College Football Playoff following a massive 23-20 victory over No. 4 Penn State on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Spencer Petras hit a wide-open Nico Ragaini for a 44-yard touchdown pass with 6:26 left in the game to give Iowa its first lead since the opening frame.
With his team backed up on its own 8-yard line, James Franklin opted to go for it on fourth down. Ta'Quan Roberson threw his second interception with 2:13 remaining to effectively doom the Nittany Lions to a defeat.
Penn State was rolling along in the second quarter up 17-3. Then Sean Clifford exited with an undisclosed injury after going 15-of-25 for 146 yards and two interceptions. Despite playing less than a full half, he finished as the team's leading rusher (36 yards).
Clifford's injury turned the contest into a war of attrition as the two teams combined for 592 yards.
With the win, the No. 3 Hawkeyes are now one of three unbeaten teams left in the conference alongside No. 9 Michigan and No. 11 Michigan State.
Notable Performers
Ta'Quan Roberson, QB, Penn State: 7-of-21, 34 yards, two interceptions; 10 carries, 27 yards
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Penn State: five receptions, 61 yards
Spencer Petras, QB, Iowa: 17-of-31, 195 yards, two touchdowns, one interception
Nico Ragaini, WR, Iowa: four receptions, 73 yards, one touchdown
Iowa Survives
Iowa entered the game averaging the 12th-fewest yards (320) in FBS. The Hawkeyes were also 63rd in offensive drive efficiency and 48th in offensive points per drive, according to Football Outsiders.
An opportunistic defense can carry a team a long way, but Iowa's inability to move the ball consistently is going to be a problem sooner or later. Just not on Saturday.
The offense wasn't capitalizing on the excellent field position it often had thanks to the defense.
#Iowa's defense hasn't been as dominant this half, but it provided the offense with three interceptions, which the offense converted into three points.
Petras didn't have much luck targeting wide receivers on shorter throws after Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry and the Nittany Lions coaching staff drew up a game plan to remove that option.
Penn State just moved Petras off the point on that 3rd down with a 2 man rush. Drop 9 and they were able to cover shallow crosses and have LBs under intermediate with safeties on top.
Because of that, life was almost more difficult for Iowa as it got closer and closer to the goal line. Midway through the fourth quarter, a 42-yard reception by Keagan Johnson set the Hawkeyes up with a 1st-and-goal from the Penn State 8-yard line. They had to settle for a 36-yard field goal by Caleb Shudak after Petras was sacked on third down.
Still, the Hawkeyes were only one big play away from taking control of the game because of how well its defense and special teams performed. Ragaini's pivotal catch was exactly that moment.
Clifford Injury Grounds Penn State Offense
Roberson had a shaky introduction to the game.
The redshirt sophomore fumbled his first snap, and Penn State was flagged for three straight false starts as it went three-and-out on his first possession. The Nittany Lions' next drive ended in an interception by Riley Moss on second down.
It didn't help that Hawkeyes punter Tory Taylor pinned the Nittany Lions deep into their own territory. Driving the length of the field would've been difficult enough with Clifford under center. The task became even more hard with Roberson.
Penn State has started drives at the 1-, 2- and 3-yard line today. Better chance of the Pirates winning 100 games in '22 than the Nittany Lions going 99 here with the way this offense has looked since Ta'Quan Roberson took over.
But Penn State was the equivalent of a weary boxer desperate to run out the clock late in a fight. The Nittany Lions were only able to dodge the knockout blow for so long.
Roberson was a 4-star recruit and the No. 8 dual-threat quarterback in 247Sports' composite rankings for 2019. The New Jersey native isn't without talent, and Saturday's circumstances were less than ideal for his first meaningful snaps.
But Penn State could be in real trouble if Clifford's injury is bad enough to knock him out for multiple games.
What's Next?
Iowa hosts Purdue on Oct. 16 at 3:30 p.m. ET, while Penn State has a week off before welcoming Illinois to Happy Valley on Oct. 23.
Penn State QB Sean Clifford Won't Return vs. Iowa Because of Apparent Arm Injury
Oct 9, 2021
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
No. 4 Penn State suffered a blow to its offense in the first half of Saturday's game against No. 3 Iowa.
Nittany Lions starting quarterback Sean Clifford emerged from halftime without his uniform on and a wrap on his right arm, ruling him out for the remainder of the game.
Penn State won't have Sean Clifford for the second half. He just came out of the tunnel with no uniform on and a wrapped right arm.
Penn State held a 17-10 lead over Iowa at halftime. Clifford threw for 146 yards and two interceptions and ran for 36 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game in the second quarter. He was under pressure from the Iowa defense throughout the first half.
Clifford entered Saturday's game ranked 23rd in the nation with 1,336 passing yards. He threw for a career-high 401 yards in the Nittany Lions' win over Villanova on Sept. 25. He's thrown 11 touchdowns with just three interceptions prior to Saturday.
Clifford was replaced at quarterback by sophomore Ta'Quan Roberson. Entering Saturday, Roberson saw action in two games this season and threw for 51 yards and a touchdown.
Without Clifford on the field, the Nittany Lions are without their best weapon. Penn State averages just 132.6 yards on the ground and relies on the passing game to balance its offensive attack. Veteran offensive players like junior running back Noah Cain and senior receiver Jahan Dotson will have to step up and help Roberson in Clifford's absence.
In a complete landslide, the B/R community has chosen the Top Five battle between the Penn State Nittany Lions and Iowa Hawkeyes as the Game of the Week. Wise decision, my friends...
Minnesota RB Trey Potts 'Improving' After Being Hospitalized with Undisclosed Ailment
Oct 4, 2021
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 25: Treyson Potts #3 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers runs with the ball against the Bowling Green Falcons in the third quarter of the game at Huntington Bank Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Falcons defeated the Golden Gophers 14-10. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Minnesota running back Trey Potts was hospitalized after an undisclosed ailment arose late in Saturday's game against Purdue.
While Potts' specific condition has not been revealed, he is reportedly "improving" and "doing well," according to the Associated Press. A further update reportedly would be provided when it's available with his family's permission.
Potts, who is still hospitalized in Indiana, currently ranks second in the Big Ten with 552 rushing yards. He ran for 78 yards against Purdue before exiting the game, scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter of the Gophers' 20-13 victory. Prior to the game against the Boilermakers, Potts eclipsed 120 rushing yards in three straight weeks.
When Potts left the game late in the fourth quarter, he was evaluated on the sideline before it was determined he should be transported to the hospital. Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle, head athletic trainer Mike Sypniak and team physician Dr. David Jewison stayed with Potts overnight.
A redshirt sophomore, Potts played in five games in 2020 and ran for 121 yards. He took over as Minnesota's starting running back this year after Mohamed Ibrahim suffered a season-ending knee injury in the season opener against Ohio State.
Minnesota is currently 3-2 this season with a 1-1 conference record. With a bye week coming up, the team has some extra time to evaluate Potts and determine if he can continue playing this season.
The Gophers will return to action October 16 in a home game against Nebraska.
Statement games abound in Week 6 of the 2021 college football season, with No. 4 Penn State traveling to No. 3 Iowa being the most significant of them all...
Jim Harbaugh Says No. 14 Michigan Wasn't 'Going to Be Denied' in Win over Wisconsin
Oct 2, 2021
MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 02: Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh runs down the sidelines after a 34 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 02, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
No. 14 Michigan earned a big 38-17 win over Big Ten foe Wisconsin, and Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh was pleased with his team's effort Saturday.
Harbaugh said his team was confident and fired up before the game, and that carried over to a dominant victory.
"They had that kind of vibe about them from when they first stepped into the locker room, when we first got here early this morning," Harbaugh said. "The vibe was they were not going to be denied. They weren't going to flinch when punches were thrown and that's the way it played out."
The Wolverines came out firing against the Badgers. Harbaugh said he was hoping to have a balanced attack this week after coming into the game averaging 290.8 yards on the ground compared to 164.0 passing yards per game.
Cade McNamara threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman quarterback J.J. McCarthy also tossed a 56-yard touchdown and added a rushing score. Michigan totaled 112 rushing yards with eight ball-carriers.
"That's what we've been striving to be—balanced, throwing the ball and running the ball," Harbaugh said. "... Yeah, it was well mixed. We really believe in our quarterbacks, we believe in our receivers and our tight ends. We believe we can throw the ball well, we believe we can run it well."
The Michigan defense also shined Saturday, forcing three turnovers by Wisconsin and totaling six sacks. Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz exited the game in the third quarter after a sack by Daxton Hill.
After improving to 5-0, Harbaugh wants his players to keep their confidence moving forward. The Wolverines will face Nebraska next week, and they hope to build on Saturday's victory.
"Just onward now," Harbaugh said. "I knew our guys were ready to have at it today, felt like they weren't going to be denied. Now onward to the next one."
Ohio State LB K'Vaughan Pope Dismissed From Team After Sideline Outburst vs. Akron
Sep 26, 2021
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker K'Vaughan Pope #36 being escorted out of the game by Ohio State Buckeyes Director Of Player Development C.J. Barnett during the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on September 25, 2021. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
In a predictable move, the Ohio State Buckeyes dismissed linebacker K'Vaughan Pope following an in-game outburst during Saturday's win over Akron.
Joey Kaufman of the Columbus Dispatch reported head coach Ryan Day released a statement Sunday that said Pope can retain his scholarship and still use student-athlete support services but will no longer take the field for the football team.
As Kaufman reported Saturday, the linebacker engaged in "a heated exchange with coaches on the sideline" when he wasn't put into the game. He was then escorted to the locker room and said "f-- ohio state" in a since-deleted tweet.
Pope apologized for the incident and said, "I let my emotions get the best of me."
Last night I let my emotions get the best of me. For that I want to apologize to my teammates, coaches and Buckeye Nation. I made a mistake and know that I need to be better and do better. I’m going to take this time to reflect and work on my mental well-being.
While the Buckeyes didn't need the now-dismissed linebacker in the 59-7 win over Akron, this is a blow to the depth of a position group that was already in something of a precarious situation.
Linebacker Dallas Gant entered the transfer portal during the week leading up to the matchup with the Zips, per Kevin Harrish of Eleven Warriors, and the unit as a whole struggled mightily in a loss to Oregon.
It has reached a point where former backup running back Steele Chambers is now one of the key linebackers on the team, although he was impressive in Saturday's win while making five tackles and breaking up a pass.
Pope arrived at Ohio State as a 4-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings but never lived up to the expectations that come with such a designation.
He had one tackle as a freshman, 13 as a sophomore, two as a junior and three this season prior to his dismissal. While the Buckeyes as a team found plenty of success during that stretch with three Big Ten titles in three years and two College Football Playoff appearances, he wasn't much of a reason for it.
OSU LB K’Vaughan Pope Leaves Sideline During Akron Game After Exchanges With Coaches
Sep 26, 2021
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 9: K'Vaughan Pope #36 of the Ohio State Buckeyes stiff arms Javon Leake #20 of the Maryland Terrapins after intercepting a pass in the third quarter at Ohio Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Maryland 73-14. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Ohio State linebacker K’Vaughan Pope left the sidelines in the second half of Saturday's game against Akron.
Per Joey Kaufman of the Columbus Dispatch, a Buckeyes official escorted Pope to the locker room after he got into a heated discussion with a coach on the sidelines. Bill Landis of The Athletic reported Pope had exchanges with both head coach Ryan Day and linebackers coach Al Washington.
According to Kaufman, the Big Ten Network reported Pope was unhappy when he wasn't substituted into the game for a defensive series.
Per Landis, Pope tweeted and deleted "fucc Ohio State" after going to the locker room.
Though he deleted the original tweet, Pope posted another message to offer support to his teammates:
Austin Ward of Lettermen Row tweeted about the incident, while adding that Pope appears to have quit the football team:
Pope tried to run out on the field in a sub package. Teradja Mitchell waved him off, and Pope stormed down the sideline, started walking to the tunnel and then had to be coaxed back by an Ohio State staffer. He tossed his gloves into the stands and took off his jersey.
After the Buckeyes finished their 59-7 victory, Day told reporters he was "going to get the details before I say anything." Per Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus DIspatch, Day doesn't believe the Pope situation is a sign of a larger problem within the program:
Day said he doesn't believe the Pope incident is indicative of a larger problem with the team. Said he believes it stems from playing time and the frustration that kicks in when players don't get it.
A senior linebacker, Pope is in his fourth season at Ohio State. The Virginia native appeared in 11 games during his college career prior to Saturday night. He has been used primarily as a role player, recording 19 total tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Pope was a member of Ohio State's 2018 recruiting class that was ranked second in the nation by 247Sports' composite rankings. He was a 4-star recruit coming out of Dinwiddie County High School in Virginia.
Tommy Eichenberg has been the Buckeyes' starting "Mike" linebacker so far this season. Pope has been used as the primary backup through the first three games.
Losing Pope for Saturday's game against Akron didn't have an impact on Ohio State. The Buckeyes held a 52-7 lead in the fourth quarter.
It's unclear at this point if Pope has quit the team or if he briefly lost his cool in the heat of the moment and will be back with the Buckeyes for their next game against Rutgers on Oct. 2.
