James Franklin details how he would determine Penn State having 'successful' season

Penn State is back in the Rose Bowl but it was not because the Nittany Lions won the Big Ten. That spurred the question of whether or not the team had a successful season. 

Head coach James Franklin and company went 10-2, losing only to Michigan and Ohio State, both College Football Playoff participants. Since those two made the final four, Penn State was offered the Rose Bowl matchup against Utah for a chance to win the “Granddaddy of them all.”

The Nittany Lions lost to USC the last time they made it this far and Franklin was asked if Penn State needed to win it this time around in order to chalk up the 2022 campaign as a success.

“Yeah, I don’t think that’s necessarily for me to determine,” Franklin said. “We just want to be 1-0 in this game. We want to win this game against a really good opponent. That’s for other people to discuss and talk about. The things that we talk about inside our program is obviously, again, making sure our guys are handling themselves academically and putting themselves in the best position to take care of themselves and their families for the next 50 years. 

“It’s being great in our community and making a positive impact in our community, and it’s going out and playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played week in and week out on a consistent basis.”

Utah won its second straight Pac-12 title by beating USC to get to Pasadena. Currently, the Utes are a slight 1.5 point favorite, depending upon which sports book.

But Franklin did not budge when talking about if a win or loss could make or break a bounce back season for Penn State.

“That’s what we want to do,” Franklin said. “We want to be 1-0 this week and play well against a really good opponent, and I’ll leave that up to people like yourself to determine what type of season we’ve had.”

It’ll be the final game for quarterback Sean Clifford before heading to the NFL Draft process. The veteran Penn State quarterback wanted to end on top.

“It’s been a blast,” Clifford said, via BlueWhite Illustrated. “I think that’s kind of what I have going for me, compared to guys who might have been younger in the position that they’re in about leaving and going to the next level.

“I’m ready for it. I know it was coming. So, I’ve been able to really recognize that, enjoy these last moments, and just have a blast this week. It’s been so much fun. I’m excited for my last game. I’m excited to represent Penn State one more time and do it in a big fashion like the Rose Bowl.”

No. 9 Penn State (10-2) takes on No. 7 Utah (10-3) in the Rose Bowl Monday at 5:00 p.m. ET.