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Two true freshmen found their names at the top of Penn State’s depth chart this week for very different reasons.

Lake-Lehman’s Connor McGovern was listed ahead of senior Derek Dowrey at right guard and classmate Cam Brown is out in front at the weak-side linebacker spot headed into Saturday’s game against Minnesota.

The injuries that have ravaged the Nittany Lions’ linebacker corps gave Brown an opportunity that he ran with out at Michigan, recording 10 tackles despite not starting.

McGovern’s situation is more nuanced. Though Dowrey started the first four games, he found himself on the sideline after the first few drives against the Wolverines with McGovern playing the rest of the way.

Lions coach James Franklin said that starting guard spot would be settled based on practice, with McGovern presumably getting the first shot.

“That’s kind of where we’re starting right now,” Franklin said at his weekly press conference. “But we’ll evaluate all week long based on this week’s performance in practice of who gives us the best opportunity to start in that position on Saturday.”

“Obviously Cam Brown is a little bit different scenario. Cam went in and played as a true freshman and got people excited, really in his first significant time. And right now, yeah, he’s at the top of the depth chart.”

As for McGovern, Franklin said the biggest thing he’s working on is his pass protection, noting that Lake-Lehman rarely threw the ball — or needed to — with McGovern blocking for 1,000-yard rushers like Joey Vigil and Penn State walk-on Nick Eury.

“That was a big adjustment for him in the spring,” Franklin said. “But it’s everything. It’s footwork, it’s technique, it’s fundamentals. I think offensive line is one of the more technical positions on the field, and a lot of things that you could get away with in high school because you’re just bigger and stronger than everybody, you’re not going to get away with at this level, especially against the Big Ten opponents that we’re going to play week-in and week-out.

“He’s improved dramatically in every area, in mentally understanding the scheme and his responsibilities and his footwork and fundamentals when it comes to pass protection and the run game. But there’s still times where he looks like a true freshman playing out there.”

Infirmary report

Speaking of those linebacker injuries, Franklin said he hopes to have two of his starters available “sooner rather than later.”

“We’re going to get Brandon Bell back. We’re going to get Jason Cabinda back,” Franklin said. “When that is, I’m not sure yet.”

Franklin was asked if there was a possibility they wouldn’t be back on the field until November.

“Possibility is a pretty broad term, so again, I can’t state that,” Franklin said. “We knew when they first got injured that it would not be a week-to week deal, and we’ll just kind of see how that goes.

“Again, I don’t have a whole lot of control over that. It’s the doctors and it’s how their bodies heal and what all the different test results show. … ‘Significant’ is about as far as I’ll go, or ‘possibility’ is about as detailed as I’ll get.”

After Saturday’s loss at Michigan, Franklin expressed concern about being able to practice effectively because of the attrition at the position. On Tuesday he said he didn’t need to move any more players to compensate after Koa Farmer moved down from safety last week.

Brown, Manny Bowen and Brandon Smith are listed as starters with Farmer, Jake Cooper and Von Walker as reserves after season-ending knee injuries to Nyeem Wartman-White and Jan Johnson.

Three other Week 1 starters — WR Saeed Blacknall, CB Grant Haley and DE Evan Schwan — have also missed significant time.

Penn State followers wondering if there’s something behind the rash of injuries aren’t alone.

“I’ve had that discussion with our medical staff and the coaches and the administration as well,” Franklin said. “I’m not sure. I mean, there’s a lot of factors that could go into it. It could go into our set of circumstances over the last three to four years, having reduced roster and guys taking a lot more reps than they would in a traditional situation.

“Does that factor into it? Is it nutrition? Is it sleep? Is it sport science? A lot of factors. Is it just a streak of bad luck? I think it’s probably a little bit of all those factors, like most things in life. But yeah, it’s hard to say right now.”

Lake-Lehman grad Connor McGovern (right) saw his most action yet last Saturday, taking the majority of the snaps at right guard.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_mcgovern-practice2016927152152337-1.jpg.optimal.jpgLake-Lehman grad Connor McGovern (right) saw his most action yet last Saturday, taking the majority of the snaps at right guard. Joe Hermitt | AP photo, PennLive.com

By Derek Levarse

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UP NEXT

Minnesota at Penn State

3:30 p.m. Saturday, BTN

Reach Derek Levarse at 570-991-6396 or on Twitter @TLdlevarse