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Football Penn State players and HC James Franklin media availability (8/29)

Dylan Callaghan-Croley

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Jun 14, 2020
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Media availabilites for several Penn State players and head coach James Franklin set to begin. Follow along below!

Players:
Redshirt senior quarterback Sean Clifford
Redshirt senior linebacker Jonathan Sutherland
Senior defensive tackle PJ Mustipher
Senior safety Ji’Ayir Brown
Redshirt junior offensive lineman Juice Scruggs
 
Looking forward.

I honestly believe that this Purdue game is one of the more important games of CJF's career. We must take a step forward and separate ourselves from the upper middle class of the B1G like Iowa, Sparty, Purdue, NW and Minnesota. Add in Auburn. PSU should never be pleased with a 3-loss season. We need to play on par with UM and tOSU and we need to put away the other echelon of teams.
 
Sean Clifford will be up first in the next few minutes. The team had a morning lift, so things are a little delayed.
 
" I think all three of them have been phenomenal." - Sean Clifford on the backup quarterbacks in camp. He's taken all three under his wing on how he operates, answers questions, etc.
 
Clifford says he's "way more confident" entering this week than where he was entering last year's season opener against Wisconsin. "He's developed a lot of trust in me and I think that's going to pay off dividends come Thursday."
 
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Asked about what wide receivers are standing out, Clifford named Trey Wallace first, and says he's been taking snaps with the first team at times this spring. Went onto note Malick Megia, Liam Clifford, and Jaden Dottin as well.
 
Clifford believes Penn State's depth at the other skill positions will open up a lot of opportunities for the tight ends this year thanks to their versatility and the need for defenses to respect them in the passing game.
 
Clifford again notes that having the same OC under Yurcich for a second straight year is big for him entering this season. Allowing him to just build on everything from last year, have a deeper understanding of the offense, etc.
 
Clifford calls Juice Scruggs "the keystone" of the Nittany Lions offensive line. Says he's taken his game up a notch since becoming the starter.
 
"They run with so much tenacity, speed, power" is what Clifford says about Penn State's running back room entering this year. Says it's been fun to watch and he has the best seat in the house. "All of them work extremely hard."

He agrees with Coach Seider that the running back room is different this year and that they have that speed in the room that they haven't since Journey Brown had to medically retire in 2020.
 
"He does a good job of getting the ball, he's a smart guy," Jonathan Sutherland says about Purdue quarterback Aiden O'Connell and what he does well. Notes how O'Connell is a sixth-year quarterback and understands his scheme at a high level.
 
Sutherland compares Purdue tempo-wise to Ohio State says the Nittany Lions will need to be on their game in terms of in-game adjustments.
 
Missed posting it but Sutherland was asked about the linebackers and spoke highly of both Kobe King and Tyler Elsdon. Also says the young linebackers have progressed well over the last few months.
 
James Franklin's opening statement includes noting that Penn State is opening Big Ten play on the road for the seventh straight season.
 
"I think we're back to a similar role in terms of depth. We have much more depth than we've had the two previous seasons." - Franklin on the team entering this season.
 
Franklin says Clifford is healthy and 100% entering this season. Belives he and Mike Yurcich are on the same page. Calls him "really valuable in the quarterback room" as well, especially when answering questions.
 
"I think they both have the ability to make big plays." Franklin said in regards to the two freshmen. Called Kaytron "Fatman" Allen the "surprise of camp" in terms of his production and big play ability. Different style than Nick Singleton but both are strong and powerful backs. Says both backs are in a good spot of understanding the offense, defenses, pressures, etc.
 
Franklin confirms that Barney Armour is the starting punter. Kickoff duties are going to rotate as that position battle continues between Sander Sahayadak and Gave Nwosu.
 
Penn State will treat Friday as a "Sunday". He won't be attending Virginia Tech-Old Dominion on Friday as Brent Pry and Ricky Rahne match up. But several coaches' wives and kids are going down for the game.
 
"Stop the vertical passing game and shots down field," is what Franklin said when it comes to slowing down Purdue's offense. The Boilermakers are consistently one of the best downfield passing teams in the country.
 
Penn State met with the freshmen last week and yesterday about what players will get green, yellow, red lights. Didn't want to share who though since it's fluid early on in the year, green players can be knocked down to yellow, yellow players can be moved up to green, etc.
 
Franklin says Chop Robinson will see starter reps even if he's not the starter. Hunter Nourzad will also get a lot of reps at both guard positions. The Nittany Lions want to rotate the offensive line a bit more this season to keep starters fresh longer.
 
Franklin says there are five wide receivers that he would be comfortable putting out there on Thursday. Says they need another young guy to step up but hints there is a sixth receiver "on the edge".
 
Franklin says Allar is the backup after looking at all of the data that was presented to them entering this season. But also notes it's a fluid situation.
 
JB Nelson had a bit of an injury that set him back but Franklin says Penn State will need him as the season goes on.

Tyler Elsdon will be the "starter" at Purdue. But both him and Kobe King will play significant snaps.
 
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Looking forward.

I honestly believe that this Purdue game is one of the more important games of CJF's career. We must take a step forward and separate ourselves from the upper middle class of the B1G like Iowa, Sparty, Purdue, NW and Minnesota. Add in Auburn. PSU should never be pleased with a 3-loss season. We need to play on par with UM and tOSU and we need to put away the other echelon of teams.
Purdue is not upper middle class.. There is absolutely no reason for PSU to lose at WL on Thursday. None besides coaching. Talent level is no comparison.
 
Purdue is not upper middle class.. There is absolutely no reason for PSU to lose at WL on Thursday. None besides coaching. Talent level is no comparison.
Agree but Purdue had a really good team last year (beating both Iowa and Sparty) while losing less than we did to graduation. They are a formidable opponent this year who is on the rise.
 
PJ was asked about Tyler Elsdon and Kobe King. He says they both looked good this fall, and have a better understanding of the defense from where they were.
 
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