Little-leaguer hits FG at Penn State practice, wins bet with James Franklin (Video)
With a day off before Saturday night’s U.S. Final in the Little League World Series, the Mid-Atlantic Region champions from Red Land Little League (just south of Harrisburg, Pa.) made the hour-long trip west from Williamsport to Happy Valley to watch Penn State’s practice on Friday.
When Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin heard about the kicking prowess of Red Land second baseman Braden Kolmansberger, he issued a challenge. If Kolmansberger hit a 30-yard field goal in front of the entire Penn State football team, Franklin would do 30 push-ups. If he missed, Kolmansberger’s Red Land teammates would do 30 up-downs.
The 13-year-old Kolmansberger was up to the challenge.
With the encouragement of the Penn State players, Kolmansberger drilled it right down the middle.
Kolmansberger said he’s a big PSU fan and told Pennlive.com that he was “probably more nervous” about the kick than he will be for Saturday night’s nationally televised game against Texas.
Franklin was impressed.
“I never thought that he’d hit a 30-yard field goal,” Franklin said. “I thought that was money in the bank but obviously it was not. Great moment for them. The way their season is going on, I guess it doesn’t surprise me. Good things are happening for them through hard work and opportunity.”
Franklin followed through on his end of the bet after practice.
The Red Land team gave Franklin a Mid-Atlantic LLWS jersey, which he said he would wear while he watched the game with his daughters.
He was happy the jersey is blue, too.
“They gave me a really cool jersey that’s the right colors,” Franklin said. “Thankfully, their colors aren’t red and white, that would have been a problem. I’m going to be watching the game with this jersey on with my girls.”
For more Penn State news, visit BlueWhiteIllustrated.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
