Silas Redd hit the hole, escaped a defender through the cut back lane and cruised to the endzone for a 31-yard touchdown.
Last year, Penn State players celebrated with No. 25 after such plays, often alongside over 100,000 Nittany Lion faithful in Beaver Stadium.
This year, Redd’s former teammates instead watch on television if they wish to see him celebrate with his new teammates at Southern California after touchdowns, like the one he had in the Trojans’ home-opener against Hawaii.
In the time since nine players transferred from Penn State following the NCAA sanctions levied in the offseason — allowing them to do so without penalty — certain Lions said they have kept tabs on their former teammates by watching them on TV.
Some players — including sophomore receiver Allen Robinson — say they also continue to interact with them despite the transfers leaving.
“I mean it’s kind of hard, especially like with some teams going out to the West Coast or something like that, with the time difference,” Robinson said. “But I mean definitely, we try to keep in contact with them a little bit.”
Adrian Amos, a sophomore cornerback, said he enjoys seeing Redd and company do well.
“I keep in contact with Si sometimes,” Amos said. “But, yeah, I catch them and you want to see them do well.”
Redd, who rushed for 1,241 yards last season, has picked up at USC this season right where he left off. Although listed as the co-starter, he has averaged nearly seven yards per carry in his first two games and had his first 100-yard game of the season against Syracuse on Saturday.
Justin Brown, who was slated to be the Lions’ No. 1 receiver and return man this season, has also performed well in another uniform. Brown has six catches for the Sooners so far, and has returned six punts for an impressive average of 22 yards per return.
The third starter to transfer was kicker Anthony Fera, who left for Texas. Fera, who left for familial reasons, has yet to play for the Longhorns this season due to a groin injury but has been improved to questionable for their next game.
With several former Lions donning new uniforms on Saturdays, junior Glenn Carson said he hasn’t needed to go out of his way to spot them.
“I turned on the TV and saw some guys and watched them play and got an opportunity to do that,” Carson said. “I haven’t been following too closely, but yeah, if I can catch one of their games, I watch it.”
Of course, not all players said they have an interest in following the players who transferred following the sanctions.
But, Robinson said regardless of their decision, they will always remain apart of the Penn State football family.
“Because, at the end of the day, each one of those guys who left, we’re still brothers,” Robinson said.
To email reporter: bjs5558@psu.edu
