James Franklin shares excitement level to play season opener at home

This year, Penn State will open the season at home against West Virginia. It’s the first time since 2019 that the Nittany Lions have had a home game to start the season and it’s an opportunity the James Franklin is excited about.

In particular, Franklin is excited about the atmosphere he expects to have in Beaver Stadium for a regional opponent.

“It obviously helps,” James Franklin said. “There’s a lot of excitement around the program. We had a quarterback club luncheon today. It was record numbers, it was packed. It was a great environment and energy. I think it’ll be like that Saturday night as well.”

Ultimately, James Franklin did emphasize that Penn State is willing to play anyone, anywhere, he did admit it’s going to be good to start at home.

“I think, for us, we’re gonna play whoever is on our schedule. We’re gonna play wherever the games are at,” Franklin said. “But, yeah, I think there’s some excitement about opening here at home, especially prime time, 7:30 at night. Should be a great environment against a regional opponent and I think our players and our staff are excited about the opportunity.”

In the James Franklin era, Penn State has played four games at home to open the season. In those games, the Nittany Lions are 4-0, but West Virginia is their first Power Five opponent to fill that role.

James Franklin on why he hasn’t named a starting QB

Most people expect Drew Allar to start for Penn State. However, James Franklin hasn’t named him the starter yet, a decision that he explained despite seeming to know who will start.

“We’ve got a pretty good idea of who we’re starting pretty much everywhere. As you guys know, like I’ve told you before, when we practice, we send some guys out with the first team, we send some guys out with the second team, we send some guys out with the third team, and most of the depth chart and roster is set. But I think more times than not, we try not to put that information out there because I don’t necessarily see the value in it,” Franklin said.

“For me, the most important thing is the guys in our locker room, whether it’s from a leadership or a chemistry standpoint, and we’ve got that. So, all the other stuff out there in the universe or in the internet or wherever else, I don’t think that has a huge factor for us. So, that’s why we typically try not to do it.”