Career end near, Simmons states his case his way
STATE COLLEGE » Even though Shane Simmons is only 23 years old, he’s apparently a fan of Frank Sinatra and one of the singer’s most popular renditions from the 1960s.
Simmons chose the Paul Ankapenned “My Way” as his walk-out music for Senior Day Saturday at Beaver Stadium, an unusual and altogether appropriate choice.
“My way is really everything that we do,” he said. “Everything that I have been through since being here, battling through adversity with my (surgically repaired) foot, with school (making) me who I am today.”
The final curtain call might be near for Simmons’ college career, but he made his first start a memorable one on Saturday. Replacing injured defensive end Jayson Oweh, Simmons finished with seven tackles in Penn State’s 39-24 comeback victory over Michigan State.
Simmons also had two tackles for loss, including 1½ sacks, and broke up a third-down pass inside the 5 in the third quarter that forced the Spartans to settle for a field goal, their final points.
“This really means a lot,” he said. “Playing here for five years, to close it out in a positive way, that’s awesome. This season has really taught all of us to battle through adversity and really stay positive.”
Simmons was a four-star recruit and rated as the No. 1 prospect in Maryland, but he suffered a foot injury that required surgery in the spring of 2018 and hampered the rest of his career. He’s already received a communications degree.
He’s one of the most well-respected players on the team.
“To see him play like that today was awesome,” said center Michal Menet, one of Simmons’ classmates. “He’s always prepared like he was a starter. He showed up every single day trying to get better. It came to fruition today for him. He showed that he’s a heck of a player.”
Through it all, though there were doubts, Simmons stood tall and did it his way.
“I just really wanted to go out there and play for my boys and all the seniors out there,” he said. “It was a pretty important game for everybody. All those emotions made all of us play our A-games.”
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The Lions once again alternated Sean Clifford and Will Levis at quarterback and did so with success, especially in the second half.
Clifford completed 17 of 27 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns, and Levis went 3-for-3 for
64 yards and ran for a touchdown. Levis attempted a pass for the first time in three weeks, since a
41-21 loss to Iowa at Beaver Stadium. He ran the ball on 27 consecutive plays that he was on the field over the last three games before he handed off to Kevyone Lee early in the third quarter.
“I’m glad that we threw Will today,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “I think we can do more of that. We want to be more balanced with how we’re using Will. We continue to talk about that.”
Clifford had a rocky first half before he completed 8 of 13 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns to freshman Parker Washington and a two-point conversion to Jahan Dotson.
“I always want the ball in my hands,” Clifford said. “That’s the type of player I am. That’s why I came here. And frankly, the last few weeks, I felt like myself again, being able to push the ball downfield.
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Penn State might hear as early as Sunday who its opponent will be next week for the Big Ten’s plusone crossover game during Championship Week.
The Nittany Lions have already faced Nebraska and Iowa, and Northwestern is headed to the title game to face Ohio State. If Minnesota and Wisconsin are paired, as has been speculated because their scheduled game was canceled, that would leave Illinois and Purdue as possible opponents.
Franklin made it clear several days ago that the East teams should be home if campus sites are used because West teams had five home conference games in 2019 and will again in 2021.