×

OL Bates healthy for Lions

UNIVERSITY PARK — A lot of football players get hurt and have to miss playing time, but it had never happened to Penn State offensive lineman Ryan Bates in his life until this season.

Bates suffered a lower leg injury at Ohio State when running back Saquon Barkley hit the back of his leg at the end of a run. Bates wound up missing the next three games, and he was very honest when asked how tough it was having to sit out.

“It (stunk),” Bates said. “I mean, I’ll give it you straight. It (stunk). I never liked staying on the sidelines. That was the first snaps I’ve ever missed, except for being redshirted, but the first snaps I’ve ever missed playing football. It was hard.

“It’s hard, emotionally, physically,” Bates added. “I see all my brothers out there playing the game, the game I want to be playing, and it’s hard watching them. I felt like I was redshirting again, sitting on the sideline knowing that I can’t do anything to help the team out, and it’s hard.”

Bates returned to action late in the regular-season finale against Maryland and says he’s now 100 percent and ready to go for the Fiesta Bowl against Washington. He also is playing a different position, as he’s moved to right tackle after spending the season at left tackle prior to his injury.

“I’ve been working right (side) the last four weeks, so I’m pretty comfortable now,” Bates said.

When Bates got hurt at Ohio State, he tried coming back in on the next series.

“It didn’t feel right, so I pulled myself out,” he said.

He spent the next several weeks rehabbing the injury and doing whatever he could to help the team in ways other than playing. That included serving as sort of a coach during games.

“When I was on the sideline, I’d be watching Brendan Mahon, I’d be watching Will Fries, be helping them out, working on the techniques,” Bates said. “If they had a question — what did I do wrong on this play, what did I do right — I’d be like a second coach. I’d be helping (Matt) Limegrover out.”

While he embraced that role and did the best he could in it, Bates admits it was tough.

“It’s hard being on the sideline watching everybody do what you want to do,” he said. “But I accepted my role, and I’m ready to go out on the field again.”

It’s unclear if Bates will return to the starting lineup in the bowl game. He’s listed as second-string right tackle behind Chasz Wright, although if he’s fully healthy, it’s hard to see Bates sitting behind anyone on the line.

The 6-foot-4, 312-pound redshirt sophomore has been impressive since he first got to Penn State, which is why losing him to injury came as a big blow to an already struggling offensive line.

The fact that Bates is working at right tackle and not on the left side is noteworthy. Redshirt freshman Fries (6-6, 3-5) remains in position to start at left tackle, and that could be an indication the coaches plan to keep him there and Bates on the right side next season.

Or, it could just be that the coaches don’t want to move Fries again this season.

“I give him so much credit switching right to left, left to right,” Bates said. “People don’t realize … it’s hard going left to right, right to left. It’s literally two different sides of the spectrum. It’s black or white going from left to right. It’s hard because you have to focus on different techniques, you have to get more comfortable, and it’s hard.

“Will’s going to be a great player,” Bates added. “He is going to be a phenomenal tackle. Next year he could potentially be all-Big Ten.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today