Penn State Football: Stevens To Miss Bowl Game To Undergo Surgery

Junior quarterback Tommy Steves won’t be playing in Citrus Bowl, James Franklin told reporters in Orlando on Wednesday following the team’s arrival.

‘Tommy had an injury about the midpoint of the season that you guys weren’t aware of,’ Franklin said. ‘We had a lot of discussions about when’s the right time to have the surgery, but Tommy’s family and the staff decided the best time to have the surgery would be once his academics finished up and he got through the season. He was able to do that and now this will allow him, hopefully, to be full-go for spring ball.’

Stevens, who has seen action in six games this year, officially missed the opening few weeks of the season with an undisclosed injury. Despite the unofficial nature of his ailment, Stevens was frequently seen with a walking boot on his right foot.

The junior made his first appearance of the year against Ohio State losing 12-yards on three touches in his do-it-all Lion role. Stevens has thrown 11 passes, completing eight of them in 2018, and ran for 52-yards and touchdown against Michigan as Penn State waffled between an injured Trace McSorley and Stevens in the second half.

Without his services, Franklin and offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne will turn to sophomore Sean Clifford behind McSorley at the quarterback position. Clifford has yet to throw an incompletion in his career, but it seems unlikely he will fill Steven’s do-it-all role at Lion.

Both quarterbacks will compete for the starting spot in 2019.