BWI Blog: James Franklin weekly press conference updates

Penn State football knocked off West Virginia on Saturday night to earn a 1-0 start to the 2023 season. Now, head coach James Franklin is meeting with the media to stress the Nittany Lions’ need to do it again this weekend.

Set to face Delaware for the follow-up, Franklin is holding his weekly press conference on Tuesday afternoon back at Beaver Stadium.

How did he assess Drew Allar’s performance after reviewing the film? Were there any positives or negatives he hadn’t stressed immediately following the game? What are his thoughts on the Blue Hens this week?

Blue White Illustrated is at Beaver Stadium to cover Franklin’s press conference in its entirety. We’ll have complete live updates here and on our Lions Den message board throughout Franklin’s press conference.

James Franklin press conference updates

(Press conference begins at approximately 12:30 p.m. EST. Updates will appear in reverse chronological order.)

Questions in the room

On Chop Robinson’s competitiveness:

It’s in a lot of players from the time they recruit them. Manny and defensive coaches instill it. The program reinforces it over and over again. In school or profession, you need to be life long learning. The minute you think you have it figured out in any industry, you’ll have problems. When you chase perfection, you may never achieve it, but you fall to excellence. Vince Lombardi. It’s that mindset and approach.

On Drew’s ability to see the field:

There have been other guys like that in the past. Where he is unusual for a young player with a pretty sophisticated playbook, he knows the stuff cold or pretty darn good, and when he gets in problems, he knows where to go with the ball. He can focus on the defense because he knows where everyone will be. His ability to make non-traditional throws. That, and his poise. What happens when you’re not poised is tendency to jump over reads and skip progressions because feet or eyes are antsy. He’s so calm and poised it allows him to go through progressions and read defenders. A lot of young quarterbacks will hold onto ball waiting for sexier ball rather than going through the progressions. 

That’s where you’re able to distribute to nine receivers. When DC watches film, he says we have to cover the whole field. Throwing the far hash out. If you can throw the speed out to the field, it changes a lot of things on your offense because that’s what most college defenses will give you. He can make that throw with ease and it opens a lot of your playbook up.

On Hunter Nourzad and Caedan Wallace:

Hunter had a really nice camp. Some bumps and bruises right now he needs to get healed up. One of the best centers in college football when he’s healthy. Caedan had a really good camp, and iron sharpens iron against really good DEs. Thought he showed that on Saturday as well. Biggest thing with Caedan is consistency. He’s shown flashes to be one of better OTs in the country, but it’s about consistency. How many practices, days, drives, games, at that level?

On anything that stood out in film review that he didn’t notice in the game:

Nothing really like that. The thing that was reinforced, was they were very efficient in run game. Good on first and second down. Had chance for explosive runs that would have dramatically changed the game earlier and would have helped Nick and Kaytron’s stats. So they’re close there. Most importantly, efficient, and those guys will make their plays. That stood out. There were some missed opportunities there.

Defensively, played best when it was needed most. Some things to clean up for sure, but made plays when needed. That was important.

And then the point about keeping standard the same no matter who is in. Expectation is to still play up to the standard.

On JB Nelson and Vega Ioane:

JB played really well. He’s a physical guy. DL talked about it all training camp. Can play guard and tackle. A lot of areas for him to grow and get better, but he gives a presence that they need. They do an offensive finisher of the week, and he won that award. 

In terms of Ioane, have a ton of respect for him and a bright future. Did some nice things while he was in there. But there is a ton of growth potential for him. That’s the challenge this year is getting him as many reps as possible so he’s prepared to be a starter and play like one whenever he’s in there and is needed.

On Drew Allar being able to do things vs. not letting him do too much:

Great question and it’s a fine line. It’s on a degree scale. Maybe for most quarterbacks if you’re rolling right, you say never throw back across your body with a crossing route. Still say that as a general rule. But maybe the degree that he can throw is a wider grace period than you would give other guys. He may have a little more wiggle room on that because he’s shown ability to do it.

What they want to do is coach him in things that are time tested, but also not limit his ability to make special throws for the offense. It’s a little bit like the KJ Hamler kickoff return against App State. Shouldn’t have brought it out. Saying no, no, no. Then it’s yes, yes, yes. Just a fine line to it. To say that ability doesn’t affect the rules for coaches and players would not be accurate.

On Abdul Carter performance:

He flashed. Might not have had the numbers, but allowed defense to operate the way they want. Will see his production elevate all season long. He has high expectations and standards for himself. Glad he’s in there and gotta remember, he’s still a young player who is growing and learning. He’s one of the best linebackers in college football.

On approach to Sander Sahaydak:

Tells the Ficken story all the time, not just for specialists but for the team. Wasn’t here his freshman year, but then his first year on campus, Ficken couldn’t have had a better year. Didn’t get too high or low. Sahaydak got up on Sunday in front of the team. He got up, unprompted, and handled himself really well. Really proud of him, like his son. As a member of the team, conducted himself really well. Earned everyone’s respect, but his moment there did that even more.

But as tight as competition was in camp, it wasn’t a shock to anyone when they made the change. Just like Felkins staying prepared, Sahaydak has to do the same thing. Everyone needs to prepare like the starter because it can change like that.

Questions over zoom

On Hardy, Izzard, and Vanover:

They are not out for the year. And Cam Miller, his role will continue to grow. Johnny Dixon, didn’t play a whole lot of nickel, if they do Dixon will take on that role and Cam on the field as well. Cam is showing up a lot of different ways. He’s a lot like guys in the past like Jon Sutherland where every single day he practices, meets and prepares like it’s the Super Bowl. He’ll maximize his time at Penn State and career. Great example for young players in the program.

On scoring late on Saturday:

Everyone looks at it differently. Believes his responsibility in those situation is to get his twos in the game. But once they’re in the game, they deserve the right and chance to play and compete. He believes in that. From the opening kick to the last whistle, you compete and play. If you leave ones in, that’s a different story, you should change how you play. You take knees, run in situations you normally wouldn’t.

But when twos go in, you give your players the chance to compete. It’s not just Penn State lens. It’s for opponents of Penn State as well. When the two offense was in against the majority of their ones, they have the chance to go compete. Beau getting in there, running the offense, they went to cover zero, Beau should have chance to run a play that is successful against cover zero and score.

Is comfortable with that.

On KeAndre Lambert-Smith changes since Rose Bowl:

Confidence is a real and powerful thing. No doubt about it. The way the season ended last year, were able to build on it all spring, all summer, and love that he was able to start out really strong and now keep it going and build on it. No doubt about it being a real thing. Most proud of him in terms of his maturity, on and off the field. His growth as a leader, his growth as a player, as a competitior, his steady, consistent approach when it comes to being a mature teammate and player. Really proud of him. He’s thriving academically. Has earned respect of the locker room and the staff. It hasn’t always been a smooth ride. But you trust process and keep working and at some point it will turn for you. Their relationship is good and strong. Sometimes with guys like him and KeAndre, they don’t always get him at first. He’s one of the guys who really knows how to interact with the staff. There is a time and place for everything. He’ll have a really big year and be one of better WR in Big Ten and college football, but he’ll also have a really big life. He’s embraced good habits and the process. And going against guys like Johnny Dixon and Kalen King every day in practice has sharpened him.

On TE position usage and versatility:

It’s an interesting discussion not just for TEs but in general. These are things media or parents ask about why their son didn’t get this many touches, or why ball didn’t go to them. As a coaching staff, if you look at notes on Sunday and Monday, it’s how to get the ball to Theo and Tyler. But reality is, production on Saturday shows you want to spread it around. But won’t force the ball to someone if they’re not open. Had one specific route that was called to go to TE as primary throw and got sacked on that play. 

There was another play to TE that got batted down by DL. Whether it’s the running game, won’t just hand off and run into a dead look. That’s where RPO helps you. Won’t just throw it to TE to get him touches. Doesn’t know WVU plan, might have been to eliminate TE as much as possible. But there is a plan to get ball to playmakers every week, and then once you get to the game, you will take what the defense gives. Don’t force it. Sometimes you rush for 300 yards, other times you throw for 300 yards. Some TEs get 12 touches, others where it’s two touches. It’s just how the game plays out. When you’re a good offense, you have the ability to do that. When you’re dependent on one or two positions or guys, you’re easier to defend.

On interior DL play:

Needed to get off the field more on defense, but played really good defense when it mattered most. They got the ball out of QBs hands quickly. Not a lot of traditional drop back pass. Impressed by the QB. The one to the TE on the seam, that ball came out well before the TE was looking. They had TEs chipping DEs a lot. That shows respect for Penn State DL. Has a lot of faith that DL will have the type of year that will allow them to have a lot of success.

On shared traits between Beau Pribula and Trace McSorley:

It’s the mobility. They’re men of few words. Both had significant impacts at high schools in terms of winning and having really productive high school careers. They both have really high football IQ. The game makes sense to them. Would say style of play more than anything. Beau is a little bigger, but style of play and guys with the ability to beat you with decision making and legs.

On improvement from week one to week two:

The first couple of weeks of the season you can and need to make significant strides. That’s what the best programs do. The best programs improve and learn and make corrections after wins. They don’t have to have setbacks and wake-up calls to be able to do it. Easier said than done.

Need more consistency on ST. Need to create turnovers. Need to be better on third down efficiency. It’s really what they’re focusing on improving over the next couple of weeks. Build on what they did well and improve on areas that need to be addressed.

James Franklin opening statement

Opening statement: 

This week is another example of how hard it is to win, and then appreciate it. Great crowd for an opening weekend. What a statement it would be this weekend to do it again. Challenge all fans to come out and enjoy another Saturday in Beaver Stadium.

This Saturday is THON game and will also be welcoming back the 1973 undefeated team, celebrating 50 years.

The clock did make a difference. For them, it felt dramatically shorter. 10 plays total, five on each side from averages last year.

Players of the game – Offense: Drew Allar Defense: Curtis Jacobs Special Teams: Malik McClain

On McClain specifically, he has been a wonderful addition to the football family. Has a smile on his face all the time. Has done very well academically. Trying to help the team be successful any way he can. Has been a really nice addition and done a really good job from a cultural standpoint. 

The other is Kaytron Allen. Wants to make sure that fans and people who cover Penn State understand how blessed and fortunate they are to have Kaytron. A ton of respect for him. Blessed to be a program with two backs that are two of the better ones in all of college football.

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Complete Penn State football coverage

Highs & Lows: Penn State secures 38-15 win over West Virginia
Penn State-West Virginia takeaways: Drew Allar answers the call, kicking woes, and more
Three reactions: Penn State win shows potential, necessary next steps
Fitz: First impressions from Penn State’s 38-15 win over West Virginia
Penn State report card: Grading the Nittany Lions’ win over West Virginia
T-Frank’s Film Room: Penn State defense vs. West Virginia
T-Frank’s Film Room: Penn State quarterback Drew Allar shows franchise traits in first win
Everything James Franklin had to say following Penn State’s 38-15 win over West Virginia