Rose Bowl Pregame Report: The Latest From Pasadena

Penn State and Utah expect to stage another classic in the 109th Rose Bowl.

Mark Wogenrich | Jan 2, 2023

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Penn State Nittany Lions

PASADENA, Calif. | Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown cut through the schemes and strategy to reach the core of Monday's Rose Bowl game vs. Utah.

"Both teams are going to come out strong," Brown said. "Whoever can take the most punches and still stand at the end of the game is going to win this game."

Gameday has arrived for the 109th Rose Bowl, the last postseason game before the College Football Playoff championship Jan. 9. Penn State (10-2) and Utah (10-3) meet for the first time in a fascinating matchup of like-minded coaches and their often-similar styles. As Brown said, the Lions and Utes should trade plenty of punches in Pasadena.

We're counting down to the Rose Bowl kickoff, scheduled for 5:10 p.m. EST on Monday. Until then, here's an updating look at the game.

Penn State Goes From Underdog to Favorite

Penn State begins gameday as a 1.5-point favorite, according to SI Sportsbook, indicating that bettors are placing late money on the Nittany Lions.

Utah opened as a 2.5-point favorite over Penn State when the Rose Bowl matchup was announced in early December, and the line has favored the Utes since. But Penn State appears to be running popular, as the line moved 2.5 points overnight. Utah was a 1-point favorite on New Year's Day.

Penn State Honors Franco Harris

The Nittany Lions arrived at the Rose Bowl wearing No. 34 jerseys to honor the late Franco Harris, who passed away Dec. 21. The Lions also are wearing a "FH" decal on their helmets.

Head coach James Franklin told the team Sunday night that they would wear Harris jerseys before the game. Franklin wore one as well.

#PennState team arrival. Wearing No. 34 jerseys in honor of Franco Harris. Number he wore for Lions. pic.twitter.com/eB6nzIOA5j
— Rich Scarcella (@nittanyrich) January 2, 2023

In addition, broadcasters Jack Ham and Steve Jones donned the No. 34 as well. Ham played with Harris at Penn State and Pittsburgh.

In honor of Franco Harris. #PennState. pic.twitter.com/In2oOLpdRJ
— Rich Scarcella (@nittanyrich) January 2, 2023

Who's In, Who's Out

Penn State coach James Franklin called left tackle Olu Fashanu a "gametime decision" for the Rose Bowl. The decision has been made. Fashanu is not in uniform for the Rose Bowl. The all-Big Ten lineman was injured late in the Lions' loss to Ohio State and missed the last four games of the regular season.

With Fashanu out, freshman Drew Shelton will make his fifth consecutive start at left tackle.

Defensive tackle PJ Mustipher appeared to be playing through something. He worked out pregame wearing a bulky knee brace and moving deliberately but looked ready to go. The senior has been adamant about playing in the Rose Bowl.

Elsewhere, Franklin said that running back Keyvone Lee and defensive end Smith Vilbert will be available. Lee started the season's first two games and made the game-winning touchdown catch against Purdue. Since then he has struggled with injuries, missing seven of the last nine games.

Vilbert, meanwhile, last played in the 2022 Outback Bowl, when he made a lively three sacks. Vilbert, out for the regular season for undisclosed reasons, could see some situational snaps on pass-rush downs.

Putting the Game On Sean Clifford's Shoulders

Whittingham has made clear that he views running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen as Penn State's top threats. The freshmen topped 1,000 all-purpose yards each this season and could top surpass 1,000 yard rushing; Singleton needs 59 yards, and Allen needs 130.

Which is why Whittingham is willing to test Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford's ability to win the game. It helps that his run defense ranked first in the Pac-12, allowing 107 yards per game.

"Our philosophy, and it appears Penn State is very similar, is to be tough against the run," Whittingham said. "If you can tell a team they can't run the football and turn them one dimensional and get them to third down, third-and-long ideally, and get after the quarterback, that's really the simple formula. In its most simplistic terms, for us [the formula] is take away the run, get after the quarterback on third down, and that's what we strive for."

Utah's Toughest Player

Franklin noted several times during Rose Bowl week that he considers Utah's toughest player to be quarterback Cameron Rising. He referenced the Pac-12 title-game play in which Rising took a huge hit, lost his helmet and proceeded to lead the Utes to victory.

Cam Rising having long hair made this hit more majestic pic.twitter.com/PV3YD2Q4T2
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) December 3, 2022

Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz loved the play as well, saying that, because of Rising, "everybody's level of toughness picks up."

"Utah has belief," Diaz said. "They believe in their leader. Why wouldn't they, because of the way that he plays the game? When they need a play, ... they're going to call his number. He's demonstrated with pretty routine effectiveness that he's going to deliver it when it's called to him."

Noteworthy

Utah led the Pac-12 in six statistical categories, including rushing defense, scoring defense, total defense and third-down defense.
The teams are comparable in turnover margin: Penn State is +9, and Utah is +8.
Utah ranks sixth nationally in sacks allowed per game (0.69).
The Utes rank eighth nationally in scoring (40 ppg) and have topped 30 in 10 of their 13 games.
Penn State has lost its last three bowl games played in Jan. 3: the 2017 Rose Bowl 952-49 to USC), the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl (24-17 to Georgia) and the 2012 TicketCity Bowl (30-14 to Houston).

The 109th Rose Bowl

No. 11 Penn State (10-2) vs. No. 8 Utah (10-3)

When: 5:10 p.m. EST Monday
Where: Rose Bowl Stadium
TV: ESPN
Streaming: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Betting Line: Penn State is a 1.5-point favorite per SI Sportsbook
Series History: First meeting

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