Per usual, a paraphrased recap of James Franklin's weekly radio show held Thursday evening:
On passing of Wally Triplett:
It’s hard to teach this generation history, but when people can come back and tell the stories themselves, it’s great. The players were very respectful of it. It breaks your heart, but he’s left a legacy in this community and campus, and they’re forever grateful and fortunate to have had him.
On big plays missed at Michigan:
Michigan is a good football team, they really are, but Penn State had some early opportunities and they didn’t capitalize. Trace’s run. The blocked field goal. So they had opportunities, but on the road against a good team, you have to capitalize and they didn’t. Last time in the same situation, they responded well, and they’re expecting to do the same this time around.
On leadership council in the aftermath of a game like that:
A lot of things factor in. This is a young team, and it’s late in the year so people don’t want to hear that, but few seniors are starting. That’s where leadership council is critical because they can’t rely on the seniors because the numbers just aren’t there. Need to make sure enough leadership throughout the program is reinforcing the right messages and holding people accountable. Now need to take next steps forward.
On Tommy Stevens this week:
They’ll continue to use him in a similar package to what they’ve done in the past. Want to keep him involved and getting him experience for one day when he’s their starting quarterback. He can run it, be used as a receiver, and throw the ball.
On seeing Wisconsin’s odd-man front:
Not sure how much of the odd-front they’ll see. Usually see it when they’re playing 21 personnel. They do three down linemen and slide up a linebacker to make it even. The nose guard is done for the season, so that also causes challenges to play the odd front. So they’ll see some, but they’ll have more even fronts. Will be prepared for the odd front but are planning on seeing the even front.
On offensive line cohesion:
Obviously after last week, it’s hard to answer that question because he felt like they’d made progress previously, but they didn’t play well early on for reasons he’s not comfortable sharing. But the guys understand what they have to do, at a higher level, more consistently. But there are things they can do to help the line against a really good front, scheme wise. That’s who Michigan is. So it’s a combination of those things.
On similarity of offenses between Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin:
They just went to Starbucks, had some coffee and relaxed…. Just kidding. There is some carry over though. There was a tough stretch there of Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, Michigan, and now Wisconsin. But there is some carry over between the pro style offenses with two backs, two tight ends, that try to pound you. Wisconsin takes it to a whole other level. They have five OL, but sometimes seven OL, and put the fullbacks in the backfield. There’s carry over, but they take it to a whole other level.
On effect of wind and cold on the game:
It definitely will factor in. Accuweather is here in town, so they know it’s going to be cold. It’s been beautiful here all week, but cold, windy, and snow. A beautiful day in Happy Valley this weekend. It’ll definitely factor in. This is a Wisconsin type of game. Did this so the Wisconsin fans feel at home.
On progress among younger players:
There are flashes of it. K.J. has shown some things like that. Jahan Dotson doing it more. Freiermuth is a guy with a successful true freshman year. Yetur has been as productive as anyone over the last few weeks. Micah Parsons has been very productive. There are flashes of it, but it just needs to be more consistent. Pinegar is more confident as the season goes along. Some of the older guys too, John Reid who had been out but is back, Garrett Taylor putting a really nice year together. Need those guys to step up, young players to continue to grow, and play more with confidence. They’ve made plays in practice, but need to do it in Beaver Stadium and in some tough environments throughout the country.
On passing of Wally Triplett:
It’s hard to teach this generation history, but when people can come back and tell the stories themselves, it’s great. The players were very respectful of it. It breaks your heart, but he’s left a legacy in this community and campus, and they’re forever grateful and fortunate to have had him.
On big plays missed at Michigan:
Michigan is a good football team, they really are, but Penn State had some early opportunities and they didn’t capitalize. Trace’s run. The blocked field goal. So they had opportunities, but on the road against a good team, you have to capitalize and they didn’t. Last time in the same situation, they responded well, and they’re expecting to do the same this time around.
On leadership council in the aftermath of a game like that:
A lot of things factor in. This is a young team, and it’s late in the year so people don’t want to hear that, but few seniors are starting. That’s where leadership council is critical because they can’t rely on the seniors because the numbers just aren’t there. Need to make sure enough leadership throughout the program is reinforcing the right messages and holding people accountable. Now need to take next steps forward.
On Tommy Stevens this week:
They’ll continue to use him in a similar package to what they’ve done in the past. Want to keep him involved and getting him experience for one day when he’s their starting quarterback. He can run it, be used as a receiver, and throw the ball.
On seeing Wisconsin’s odd-man front:
Not sure how much of the odd-front they’ll see. Usually see it when they’re playing 21 personnel. They do three down linemen and slide up a linebacker to make it even. The nose guard is done for the season, so that also causes challenges to play the odd front. So they’ll see some, but they’ll have more even fronts. Will be prepared for the odd front but are planning on seeing the even front.
On offensive line cohesion:
Obviously after last week, it’s hard to answer that question because he felt like they’d made progress previously, but they didn’t play well early on for reasons he’s not comfortable sharing. But the guys understand what they have to do, at a higher level, more consistently. But there are things they can do to help the line against a really good front, scheme wise. That’s who Michigan is. So it’s a combination of those things.
On similarity of offenses between Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin:
They just went to Starbucks, had some coffee and relaxed…. Just kidding. There is some carry over though. There was a tough stretch there of Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, Michigan, and now Wisconsin. But there is some carry over between the pro style offenses with two backs, two tight ends, that try to pound you. Wisconsin takes it to a whole other level. They have five OL, but sometimes seven OL, and put the fullbacks in the backfield. There’s carry over, but they take it to a whole other level.
On effect of wind and cold on the game:
It definitely will factor in. Accuweather is here in town, so they know it’s going to be cold. It’s been beautiful here all week, but cold, windy, and snow. A beautiful day in Happy Valley this weekend. It’ll definitely factor in. This is a Wisconsin type of game. Did this so the Wisconsin fans feel at home.
On progress among younger players:
There are flashes of it. K.J. has shown some things like that. Jahan Dotson doing it more. Freiermuth is a guy with a successful true freshman year. Yetur has been as productive as anyone over the last few weeks. Micah Parsons has been very productive. There are flashes of it, but it just needs to be more consistent. Pinegar is more confident as the season goes along. Some of the older guys too, John Reid who had been out but is back, Garrett Taylor putting a really nice year together. Need those guys to step up, young players to continue to grow, and play more with confidence. They’ve made plays in practice, but need to do it in Beaver Stadium and in some tough environments throughout the country.
