No Manny Bowen means Penn State is short on linebackers again at Maryland

Penn State will be without one of its starting linebackers, and top defenders, for a third straight week.

Coach James Franklin said junior Manny Bowen will miss Saturday's regular-season finale at Maryland, continued punishment, apparently, for a team rules violation.

Receiver and special teams standout Irv Charles will be a "game-time decision" after missing last week's victory over Nebraska for an undisclosed reason, Franklin said.

Senior linebacker Brandon Smith, a former walk-on, has been productive in Bowen's place the past two weeks. Smith has combined for 23 tackles to lead the team.

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While senior middle linebacker Jason Cabinda has been a steadying force throughout (7.3 tackles per game) the group has not made many impact, game-changing plays — a definite dropoff from last season's effort led by Cabinda and graduated Brandon Bell.

The linebacking group has combined for only 5.5 sacks and no interceptions. As a whole, Penn State's pass rush has been weak at its most important moments, allowing Ohio State's J.T. Barrett, Michigan State's Brian Lewerke and Nebraska's Tanner Lee to stand in the pocket and pick them apart in the second half of games.

Even more glaring is how no Nittany Lion ranks in the Top 10 in tackles in the Big Ten. The Lions do miss Bowen, probably the most athletic of the linebackers

Smith has played only big minutes the past two games and junior Koa Farmer is making progress as he continues to transition from safety. The only other linebacker to see significant time is 6-foot-5 backup Cam Brown.

Franklin also touted backups Jarvis Miller, Jake Cooper and Jan Johnson, though they have played little. 

It is quite a change from a decade ago when Penn State sent all-stars Paul Posluszny, Sean Lee, Dan Connor and NaVorro Bowman into NFL stardom.

Part of the change is the result a defensive shift, where the Lions often play only two linebackers on the field at a time. The third spot is utilized by a hybrid player, like a converted safety, cornerback or defensive end, depending on the situation.

Are two quarterbacks better than one?

While promising sophomore Tommy Stevens is pushing for more playing time, he seems content to do it in unique ways — often as a runner and receiver.

Junior Trace McSorley, after all, is the Big Ten's leading passer at 272 yards per game. He's hitting on 65.2 percent of throws with 24 touchdowns and only eight interceptions.

"Trace probably doesn't have one thing that blows you away, but he does everything well, and he's worked really hard to refine and get better at his craft," Franklin said.

Though a quarterback first, Stevens has eight receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns. He's also run the ball 15 times for 77 yards and another score.

He's thrown only 20 passes in limited action.

"It's not like he's happy being the backup, but his relationship with Trace is really good," Franklin said. "When he gets his reps, he maximizes his reps. His relationship with Coach (Joe) Moorhead is really good. One of the things I did a few months ago was I showed Tommy examples of all these rally good college players who waited their turn and took advantage of it when the time came.

"And he's going to be ready when he gets his reps and opportunities."