Former Indian River football star Curtis Dukes will stay at Penn State for the upcoming season, citing personal reasons for why he didn’t want to leave State College.

“I didn’t want to run away from the situation,” Dukes said. “I just wanted to stay here at PSU and finish what I started.”

His decision to stay comes in the aftermath of hefty NCAA sanctions following the inaction of team and university officials to respond to reports of child molestation by former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Among the stipulations of the sanctions was that any entering or returning player could transfer schools without having to go through the standard one-year waiting period.

Though many players have recommitted to the university, some players, including projected starting running back Silas Redd, have decided to transfer.

Dukes, a redshirt junior running back, said Redd’s transfer did not play a role in his decision. “Me and Silas are totally different players,” Dukes said.

He said he was very excited to practice and play under new head coach Bill O’Brien, and learn his new offensive system.

“I’m just ready to pad up and get ready to go,” Dukes said.

Last season, Dukes was third on the team in rushing yards, with 237 yards on 41 carries. He also scored his first collegiate touchdown on a one-yard run against Purdue.

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