Penn State teammates, Mike Yurcich, confident in Olu Fashanu ahead of Outback Bowl start
Tampa, Fla. — Olu Fashanu has only appeared in eight Penn State games this fall.
His ninth appearance during his second year on campus, however, will come as a starter for the Nittany Lions in the Outback Bowl.
Regular first-team left tackle Rasheed Walker is unavailable due to undisclosed reasons. Whatever they are is irrelevant to the fact that his absence means Fashanu, who stands 6-foot-6, 313 pounds, will need to be ready from the start of Saturday’s matchup with Arkansas (Noon, ESPN2).
The good news is that, according to head coach James Franklin, only an injury kept Fashanu from reaching this point earlier in the year.
“He was going to start earlier in the year, had an injury, was unable to start,” Franklin said on Wednesday. “That’s when Landon [Tengwall] went in and started and played really well as a true freshman.
“Like I said, Olu was going to start during the year, now we’re in a position obviously that he’s going to do it on Saturday. We have a lot of faith and confidence in him. It’s going to be exciting to watch him go out and play. He’s had a really good week of practice.”
4 Penn State people weigh in on Fashanu’s potential
Fashanu has not talked to reporters here as the team continues to prepare for the Razorbacks. But, one coach and three teammates who spoke on Thursday have full confidence in one of what will ultimately be at least seven new starters for Penn State between the offense and defense.
“He’s got all the strength in the world, and he’s athletic enough to be productive for us,” offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said. “I think it’s important that he play well. Obviously, we want him to play well. He has to feed off confidence, right, and he has to get confident and he has to trust himself. I think that’s a big key, and get into the flow of the game. There’s going to be some nerves early, but that’s like any position out there. That’s the way it goes.
“Once you hit somebody, or you get hit, and the contact happens, all the nerves go away, and then you just got to go and execute. W expect him to play extremely well, and looking forward to seeing how he performs as well.”
Quarterback Sean Clifford also has no concerns about who will be protecting his left side.
“I think that he’s surely big body,” Clifford said. “You know, one of the most physically gifted guys that we have on this team. I think he’s got a lot of potential. I’m excited for him on Saturday to really show what he’s got.”
Guard Juice Scruggs agreed.
“He’s a special player,” Scruggs said. “When he gets out there, he’s going to show everybody what he can do and what he’s capable of. He’s just going to be a really good player for us, this game and for the future.”
And, finally, end Nick Tarburton has witnessed the strides Fashanu has made so far at Penn State, as well.
“Olu is a special player, and he’s going to just continue to get better each and every day,” Tarburton said. “I think he’s got a great punch. He’s a real physical kid who has great size. I’m really excited about him.”
