Penn State’s Franklin apologizes after leaving press conference

MADISON, Wis. — Penn State Coach James Franklin apologized for walking away from the microphone on Wednesday when asked about two former players who were accused by police of raping a 17-year-old girl in their apartment on July 7.

“I didn’t handle Wednesday very well,” Franklin said Saturday night after Penn State’s game Victory 28-13 over Wisconsin. “It’s a difficult, difficult situation and I have to admit I didn’t do well. … I did not do a good job of handling this situation and representing the program in an appropriate manner.”

Former Nittany Lions linebacker Jameial Lyons, 19, is charged with rape, non-consensual aggravated assault, non-consensual aggravated sexual intercourse and misdemeanor indecent assault without consent and non-consensual invasion of privacy. Former Penn State linebacker Kaveion Keys, 19, is charged with rape, aggravated assault without consent, and misdemeanor sexual assault and misdemeanor indecent assault without consent.

In August, Penn State suspended Lyons and Keys from the football team.

“We are aware of the serious allegations made against Mr. Keys and Mr. Lyons, who are no longer enrolled at the university,” a school spokesman said in a statement last week. “The safety of our community is our top priority, and Penn State takes every report of sexual assault or inappropriate conduct very seriously and investigates each one.”

After Wednesday’s practice, a reporter began asking Franklin about the criminal case. Franklin stepped away from the microphone and a university spokesman read a prepared statement: “Regarding the two former Penn State football players, we issued a statement yesterday and our program and athletics departments will have no further comment.”

When another reporter tried to ask Franklin about the players’ firing, he walked away again.

Franklin said Saturday he understands why these questions need to be asked.

“I respect that,” he said. “The reality is there’s not much more I can say beyond that (university) statement. This is an ongoing and challenging legal situation. It’s a challenge for everyone. … I didn’t do well there. I’m trying to recover like everyone else in a difficult situation. …Sorry.”

ESPN senior writer Mark Schlabach contributed to this report.