Jake Trotter, ESPN Senior Author
MADISON, Wis. — Penn State coach James Franklin apologized for strolling away from the microphone on Wednesday when requested about two former gamers who had been accused by police of raping a 17-year-old woman of their house on July 7.
“I did not do an ideal job of dealing with Wednesday,” Franklin stated Saturday evening, following Penn State’s 28-13 victory over Wisconsin. “Troublesome, tough state of affairs and I acquired to personal that I didn’t do a superb job of that. … I didn’t do a superb job of dealing with that state of affairs and representing this program the suitable manner.”
Former Nittany Lions defensive finish Jameial Lyons, 19, is charged with felony rape, aggravated assault with out consent, voluntary deviate sexual activity and misdemeanor indecent assault with out consent and invasion of privateness with out consent. Former Penn State linebacker Kaveion Keys, 19, is charged with felony rape, aggravated assault with out consent and sexual assault and misdemeanor indecent assault with out consent.
Penn State suspended Lyons and Keys from the soccer staff in August.
“We’re conscious of the intense costs in opposition to Mr. Keys and Mr. Lyons, who’re now not enrolled on the College,” a college spokesperson stated in an announcement final week. “The security of our neighborhood is our high precedence, and Penn State takes any report of sexual assault or misconduct very severely and investigates any and all studies.”
After Wednesday’s follow, a reporter began to ask Franklin in regards to the felony case. Franklin walked away from the microphone, and a college spokesperson learn a ready assertion: “Concerning the 2 former Penn State soccer gamers, we launched an announcement yesterday and our program and athletics division could have no additional remark.”
When one other reporter tried to ask Franklin about dismissing the gamers, he walked away once more.
Franklin stated Saturday that he understood why the questions wanted to be requested.
“I respect that,” he stated. “The fact is there’s not a complete lot extra I can say aside from that (college’s) assertion. It is an ongoing authorized state of affairs and it is difficult. It is difficult on everyone. … I did not do a superb job there. I am attempting to get higher like everyone else in a tough state of affairs. .. I apologize.”
ESPN Senior Author Mark Schlabach contributed to this report.
