Football Updates from James Franklin’s weekly press conference
- Thread starter Dylan Callaghan-Croley
- Start date
Franklin opens up with noting they’ll be honoring the 1982 National title winning team.
Notes Penn State emphasizes how the Nittany Lions won several key battles on Saturday including the sack battle, allowing no sacks to Auburn.
He named the entire offensive line’s top 7 as the offensive player of the game. Defense was Ji’Ayir Brown, special teams was Jake Pinegar.
Notes Penn State emphasizes how the Nittany Lions won several key battles on Saturday including the sack battle, allowing no sacks to Auburn.
He named the entire offensive line’s top 7 as the offensive player of the game. Defense was Ji’Ayir Brown, special teams was Jake Pinegar.
“I thought that was a critical situation in the game… Our defense having the offenses back, keeping them to a field goal. Felt that was a critical situation in the game.” - Franklin on the 4th and 1 call on the Nittany Lions first offensive drive
Franklin isn’t ready to declare the offensive line ready or anything but “I do think it was a step in the right direction but we still have work to do and ready to pound the table. I probably won’t be all year long because I know as soon as I say something positive, something won’t go well,” he added.
“I think Brenton is playing as good as any tight ends in the country… I think Brenton is playing well rounded tight end play right now. I think the real true football people understand that. I think that’s going to help us throughout this year offensively.” - Franklin on Brenton Strange.
Franklin was asked about freshman wide receiver Anthony Ivey. “He’s further along as a football player than we anticipated, he’s earned our coaches respect, he’s earned our defnesss respect. I think he’s got a bright future. I’m really proud of him. He’s still got work to do like a lot of them do.”
I think anyone that follows B1G football closely realizes that the key to PSU's season rests on the OL play - plain and simple.
“We got a pretty good relationship with the Manning family,” notes Clifford’s involvement with the Manning passing academy.
Manning and his camp reached out to Penn State about doing the Chad Powers skit. Franklin wanted to ensure it didn’t impact the program’s normal routine.
“It just worked out, a something similar thought was unique or different but also wasn’t going to cause us any distractions or issues. Whenever you can have someone get up and deliver a message … so that was a good opportunity there as well.”
Manning and his camp reached out to Penn State about doing the Chad Powers skit. Franklin wanted to ensure it didn’t impact the program’s normal routine.
“It just worked out, a something similar thought was unique or different but also wasn’t going to cause us any distractions or issues. Whenever you can have someone get up and deliver a message … so that was a good opportunity there as well.”
Asked about run plays with Sean Clifford under center, tight ends as fullback type blockers and such, Franklin notes it helps prepare the defensive for physicality but also notes they wouldn’t be able to do that without a deep tight end room like theirs. Thinks the biggest positive to it is being able to run QB sneaks.
Asked about Penn State “being cool” and in the spotlight with thinks like Chad Powers, Hingle McCringleberry, etc.
“This is a game, it should be fun for our players, our coaches, the fans, the alumni. Providing other opportunities to peak behind the curtain, show some personality, and allow people to see some of these things and have some fun… You do need to have some things that are change of pace whthere that’s internally or externally, there’s values in it but it can’t be at the expense of what you’re here to do.”
“This is a game, it should be fun for our players, our coaches, the fans, the alumni. Providing other opportunities to peak behind the curtain, show some personality, and allow people to see some of these things and have some fun… You do need to have some things that are change of pace whthere that’s internally or externally, there’s values in it but it can’t be at the expense of what you’re here to do.”
This 100%. PSU's skilled positions can match up with anyone in the conference and maybe CF (outside of the OSU WRs) and PSU fans should thank their stars that Clifford returned this year. IMO, he's the catalyst to PSU's success this year. Nothing takes the place of experience
“ I think right now Nick is handling things pretty well. I also think that’s a little bit of his personality.” - Franklin on a Nick Singleton and how’s he handling his early success. Notes he’s not much of a talker and he’s a “steady eddy”.
Allen and Singleton just might be the best, young RB combo in CF. Yes, I realize it's still early but those two are definitely raising some eyes around the country
“Freakishly fast, freakishly strong. Doesn’t have the body of a normal high school linebacker Chad hen entering your program.”
“His maturity and focus for a guy his age is very impressive. Very discipled young man, comes from a very disciplined family.”
Franklin on Abdul Carter.
“Very focused, very mature, very driven. You combine that with his physical traits, then you got a chance. He’s really shown he’s been ready in a lot of those different areas.”
Also notes Carter has a strong support system and they’re not surprised by what he’s done so far .
“His maturity and focus for a guy his age is very impressive. Very discipled young man, comes from a very disciplined family.”
Franklin on Abdul Carter.
“Very focused, very mature, very driven. You combine that with his physical traits, then you got a chance. He’s really shown he’s been ready in a lot of those different areas.”
Also notes Carter has a strong support system and they’re not surprised by what he’s done so far .
Franklin believes Carter could handle more going forward but notes you have to be careful and try not to be greedy.
“We want to continue to help him continue grow and evolve but it’s always that fine line that you don’t too much so he’s not thinking more than he’s playing.”
Also notes Dani Dennis-Sutton that he’s physically ready. “I think you’ll see his oppprtunties to continue to grow as the year goes on and his success. He’s another mature kid, physically mature, emotionally mature kid. Always been super focused.”
Notes that Dennis-Sutton is from Delaware and boarded at McDonough in Maryland which he believes has helped his adjustment. Actually is candid in that Penn State almost lost him due to their dorm situation at Penn State versus other schools having athlete / football single dorms.
“We want to continue to help him continue grow and evolve but it’s always that fine line that you don’t too much so he’s not thinking more than he’s playing.”
Also notes Dani Dennis-Sutton that he’s physically ready. “I think you’ll see his oppprtunties to continue to grow as the year goes on and his success. He’s another mature kid, physically mature, emotionally mature kid. Always been super focused.”
Notes that Dennis-Sutton is from Delaware and boarded at McDonough in Maryland which he believes has helped his adjustment. Actually is candid in that Penn State almost lost him due to their dorm situation at Penn State versus other schools having athlete / football single dorms.
Clifford really is the straw that stirs the drink. You can see it on the sideline, and the interaction he has with the other players. The offensive line is heads and shoulders better than last year. Are they good enough to run the ball against Michigan and tOSU? Who knows. I don't think they have to be able to shove the ball down their throats necessarily to be effective, however, they do need to have the running game be a threat. TOSU probably does have the best WR room in the country, but PSU probably has the best secondary they will see outside of the potential playoffs.
With all of this said, PSU is a young team other than a few experienced seniors like Clifford. They really do need to abide by the cliche of taking it one game at a time. Central Michigan is one of the better teams in the MAC and has good coaching. The Lions need to prepare well and take care of business and not get carried away with a win over a poor SEC team.
Thank you again for doing these. Much appreciated!
That's the matchup a lot of fans that follow the B1G closely is really looking forward to - should be a blockbuster.
To add, if OSU doesn't have the best WR group in the country, it has to go to USC as they're absolutely explosive also
