Penn State Football: Blacknall And Bowen Suspended For Rose Bowl

Penn State will be without two starters at next week’s Rose Bowl as the program announced that linebacker Manny Bowen and receiver Saeed Blacknall have been suspended for a violation of team rules.

The news comes officially just a day after Penn State arrived in Los Angeles for a 14th and final game. Head coach James Franklin hasn’t given any indication as to the nature of the violation but both players did make the trip with their teammates.

Penn State will now look to L.A. native Koa Farmer at linebacker. Farmer has taken snaps at linebacker but has played primarily at safety during his time at Penn State. Behind him the reliable Brandon Smith also will see time. Meanwhile, at the receiver position, the Nittany Lions likely will rely on the towering duo of Irvin Charles and Juwan Johnson.

While Blacknall has been a dependable asset for Penn State all season long, the Nittany Lions’ depth at receiver makes his loss far easier to manage than Bowen, who has been a solid presence along side Brandon Bell and Jason Cabinda at linebacker.

More information will be published as it becomes available.