James Franklin explains Penn State's issues completing passes to receivers vs. Notre Dame

Penn State coach James Franklin had to face questions about the lack of passes and completions to wide receivers in the loss to Notre Dame.

It was a hot button issue postgame, considering the Nittany Lions’ limitations offensively. With the loss, Franklin and Penn State head home short of a national title while the Irish head to the national championship.

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Franklin acknowledged it was a tough look on the Nittany Lions afterwards, but credited Notre Dame’s defense.

“Yeah, we tried a couple early on in the game and weren’t able to convert them, tightly contested coverage,” Franklin said. “They’re a man coverage team. But yeah, that’s a storyline of the game. That’s one of the storylines. I don’t think there’s any doubt about it. But early on we had some throws, tightly contested balls that we didn’t come down with. So again, give them some credit.”

Quarterback Drew Allar was just 12-of-23 passing for 135 yards and the backbreaking interception near the end of the game that led to the winning field goal for the Irish.

The only ones with receptions in the game were tight ends Tyler Warren, Khalil Dinkins and Luke Reynolds, along with running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

Considering the lack of an explosive passing game, it was fair to wonder about the emotions of Allar. Franklin, as he usually does, defended his QB.

“Drew is a passionate guy. He invested so much into his development but also to his teammates and to Penn State, and he’ll handle this like he handles everything else, with a first-class approach and with an investment level that’s as good as anybody in the country,” Franklin said. “His jump as a year-one starter to a year-two starter was significant. He’s got a chance to take another step next year.

“But he’ll handle it the right way. He’s hurting right now. Should be hurting. We’re all hurting. This ain’t easy to get in here right after the game and have a conversation after you just poured your guts out on that field and really did it all year long. He’ll handle it great. He’ll be hurting tonight and he’ll be hurting tomorrow and he’ll hurt a little bit less the next day and so on and so forth. But he’s a committed guy that’s going to do it the right way, and he said it. It may not feel like it right now, but he’ll learn from this and he’ll be better for it, and so will we.”