MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In a thrilling matchup at the Orange Bowl, Penn State’s All-American defensive end Abdul Carter was confirmed as a starter for the College Football Playoff semifinal against Notre Dame on Thursday night. This decision followed a period of uncertainty regarding his participation in the game.

Carter, who was recognized as the Big Ten’s defensive player of the year, had been deemed a game-time decision for the sixth-seeded Nittany Lions, who boast a record of 13 wins and 2 losses.

After sustaining an undisclosed injury in last week’s Fiesta Bowl, where Penn State triumphed over third-seeded Boise State with a score of 31-14, there were concerns about Carter’s fitness. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, provided clarity earlier on Thursday by revealing that Carter was dealing with a “legitimate shoulder injury.” During warm-ups, it was noticeable that Carter’s left shoulder was significantly wrapped.

Rosenhaus expressed his admiration for Carter’s resilience, stating, “He’s one of the toughest human beings that I’ve ever been affiliated with.”

Carter is a vital player for the Nittany Lions, leading the team with an impressive total of 11 sacks and ranking fourth among his teammates with 63 total tackles. On Wednesday, Penn State’s head coach James Franklin shared his optimism about Carter’s readiness for the game, highlighting the player’s proactive approach to recovery.

“His approach has been awesome,” Franklin noted. “He’s lived in the training room.”

This development comes as both teams prepare for a highly competitive showdown, with fans eagerly anticipating the performance of the talented defensive end.