Indiana University may welcome back kickoff specialist Brendan Franke for their upcoming College Football Playoff match against Alabama at The Rose Bowl. Franke’s status was marked as “probable” in the injury report released on Monday, outlining his potential return after an injury sustained during a kickoff against UCLA in October.
Franke has been a standout performer this season, achieving 46 touchbacks on 51 kickoffs and averaging an impressive 71 yards per kick. His skills were further highlighted by a remarkable 58-yard field goal made at Oregon earlier in the season. Among kickers with a minimum of 50 kickoffs, Franke’s return rate of 7.8% places him fifth in the nation.
In contrast, Indiana’s other kickers have struggled, managing touchbacks on just 17 of 49 kickoffs. Notably, 546 of the 603 kickoff return yards against the Hoosiers this season came from kicks other than Franke’s.
The injury report for Indiana also listed four players as “out,” including defensive ends Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt, running back Lee Beebe, Jr., and safety Bryson Bonds. However, there is good news for the Hoosiers, as wide receiver Omar Cooper, Jr. has fully recovered and is not included in the injury report.
On the Alabama side, the Crimson Tide reported that the only three players sidelined have remained inactive for an extended period. Jah-Marien Latham, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., and Jeremiah Beaman are named as out.
The Rose Bowl matchup is set to kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, with No. 1 ranked Indiana (13-0) facing No. 9 ranked Alabama (11-3). Fans eagerly anticipate this high-stakes game as both teams aim for victory in this prestigious playoff. Daily updates on player statuses will be provided leading up to the kickoff, which promises to be an electrifying showdown.