James Franklin met reporters ahead of Saturday’s game against UCLA, but most of the talk was certainly looking back at the loss to Oregon. You can read the full transcript HERE or check out below for curated
thoughts.
Opening Statement
Franklin looked back at the game against Oregon, noting that Penn State actually won the explosive play battle and the third/fourth down battle. However, Franklin noted that Penn State’s inability to get Oregon “out of sequence” made for a tough night. He looked ahead a bit to UCLA, mentioning the many new faces on the sideline with the Bruins’ coaching staff that will make this weekend interesting.
O-Line Inconsistency
Franklin was asked about his off-season comment that his offensive line would be one of the best in the country. Franklin said the group has been inconsistent, but that they did play well in the fourth quarter against Oregon and that’s when you saw Penn State come to life and score.
On Allar
Much the same answer on Allar, who Franklin said has been good in practice but needs to carry his consistency over to games. Franklin also noted that the final play, where Allar was picked, was a play that is difficult for defenses to cover, but that Oregon did cover it well. He said Drew should have thrown it away and lived another day.
On Knowles
Jim Knowles spoke to the defense about how last year Ohio State lost two regular season games and still won the national title. Franklin is hoping that Knowles will share that same message with the full team. Franklin said it was good to have Knowles be able to give perspective on the entire situation.
A New Era
Earlier in Franklin’s tenure, Penn State seemed to allow a big game loss to bleed into its next game (think 2017 and 2018). Franklin said the landscape of college football has changed with the expanded playoff and it’s important for him to get that across to his team.
Too Much Recruiting?
Franklin was asked about heading out to recruit during the bye week. He acknowledged he understood the question and the way that things would be second guessed, but said he believed he made the right call and that the team was fully prepared by the coaching staff for Oregon.
More on Allar
Franklin was asked about Allar’s “taking losses hard” and he turned it into a larger discussion of the whole team and how every single person in the locker room needs to start by looking in the mirror. Franklin said he was not going to let the locker room get divided.
Changing the Offensive Identity
Franklin answered a question about how the offense’s identity might wind up being different than what was perceived to be coming into the season. Franklin said it was a fair question, again mentioned the inconsistency, and that the offense needs to build on the things that it is doing successfully.
A follow-up question asked what those things were that Penn State was doing well. Franklin noted that some of the play-action stuff that happened later in the game is good. He talked about the need for Penn State to spread the ball around to a number of different playmakers.
More on Allar
Another question about Allar’s struggles, this one pointing to his low completion percentage over the past eight games, which Franklin said they’ll need to get him some easier throws.
More Football to be Played
It was more of the same – in terms of question and answer – as Franklin talked about the frustrations that his team has in losing close games, but that how all of the teams goals are still out there and how last season they were a drive away from playing for a national title.
Safety Depth
Franklin was asked about the depth on the defense and rotations, noting that King Mack and Zakee Wheatley played every snap at safety. Franklin said the group needs to continue to build depth, but said that position is one where they need the most trust that the guys on the field won’t make mistakes.
The Final Play
Franklin was asked specifically about Allar’s final throw that was intercepted and the decision to run that play to the boundary. Franklin said it’s a play that Penn State, and other teams, have used a lot over the past several years. Franklin gave a detailed answer about why it’s run that way, but noted that Oregon had it scouted and played it well.
Not Going to Define a Season
Another question about the perception that Penn State can’t win big games – and Franklin stayed true to what he’s said throughout about how there’s still games to be played and that he’s not going to let this loss define his entire career or the good things that he believes he’s done at Penn State.
Finding Ways to Win Games
Franklin closed the press conference with a long answer about how Penn State needs to continue finding ways to win games – and sometimes that might be pretty and sometimes it might be a grind.
Obviously Count: 15, 13 by James
