MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Penn State All-America defensive end Abdul Carter was named the starter for Thursday night’s College Football Playoff semifinal against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl after days of speculation about whether he would would be available.

Carter – the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year – was expected to be a game-winning decision for the sixth-seeded Nittany Lions (13-2).

Carter withdrew from Penn State’s 31-14 win over third-seeded Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl last week because of an undisclosed injury. Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN early Thursday that it was a “legitimate shoulder injury” and that Carter looked like his left shoulder was badly wrapped during warmups.

“He’s one of the toughest people I’ve ever dealt with,” Rosenhaus said.

Carter leads Penn State with 11 sacks and is fourth among Nittany Lions players with 63 total tackles. Penn State coach James Franklin said Wednesday he expects Carter to be available for the game.

“His approach was great,” Franklin said. “He lived in the training room.”

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