Abdul Carter's Status Uncertain for Orange Bowl

The availability of Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter for the upcoming College Football Playoff semifinal against Notre Dame remains uncertain due to an unspecified upper-body injury sustained during the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State. While head coach James Franklin expressed optimism about Carter's potential return, stating he doesn't believe anything is stopping him from playing, the final decision will depend on Carter's physical readiness and practice participation throughout the week. Carter, a key player who leads the team with 11 sacks and is a major contributor to their top-ranked defense, has never missed a game in his three-year career. His positive attitude and excitement for the game have been noted by teammates and coaches alike. As Penn State prepares for the matchup, they will also rely on other contributors like Amin Vanover and Smith Vilbert if Carter is unable to play. The situation continues to be closely monitored leading up to the game on Thursday.