Everything Penn State coach James Franklin said after Wednesday's practice before Illinois

Penn State coach James Franklin held his third post-practice news conference of the regular season on Wednesday night. The 10th-year leader of the Nittany Lions spoke inside of Holuba Hall minutes after his team finished its latest day of preparation ahead of Saturday’s Big Ten opener at Illinois. The first question he fielded focused on whether or not three Nittany Lions who missed the first two games, Defensive end Amin Vanover, defensive tackle Coziah Izzard, and cornerback Daequan Hardy, would make their season debuts against the Fighting Illini

“We’ll see,” Franklin said. We’ll see how it all plays out. Not sure. I can’t really speak on it yet.

“Amin, I’ve been very impressed with his maturity and growth over the last couple of years,” Franklin said. “He’s been really good. Hardy, I would say the same thing. Coziah’s had so some bumps and bruises as well, that have factored into that too. But yeah, all three of them have handled it well so far.”

Here is everything else the Penn State coach had to say Wednesday night.

On when the Lions will make travel roster decisions ahead of Saturday’s game, and what benefit first-year Penn State players would gain from traveling

James Franklin: “Yeah, so typically, we announce those on Thursday even to the players. They don’t even completely know yet, because those last two or three spots are based on practice and how practice goes, and obviously if somebody tweaks something, then we got to make some moves and make some changes. So that’s usually pretty fluid until Thursday morning after the staff meeting, typically.

“We typically try to rotate through [so] that all those guys will get that travel experience, so the first time that they’re doing it, isn’t the first time they’re playing in a game. That they kind of understand what the expectations are. So whether it’s a home game travel to stay at the hotel, or whether it’s on the road and get the full experience, we try to rotate through when we can to allow all those guys, especially guys that we think are going to have a chance to really factor in for us next year.”

On how Penn State running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen complement each other

JF: “Yeah, I think they have complementary skill sets. I think the thing that’s nice though is, they’re both big backs, which allows them both to do a lot of things. That’s why that short yardage, goal line package is so effective for us. Because, both them are 220 pound-plus, they both block, they both carry, they both can run for hard yards inside. They both showed ability to make people miss and get on the perimeter. I think if you look at their ability to be explosive, I think they’re really good complementary pieces that we can do a lot of different things with. Which, I think that’s what makes it so exciting as an offensive coordinator to be able to work with those two guys and call a game with those two guys.

“And, I would actually say, I said to [running backs coach] Ja’Juan [Seider] today, that it looks like [Trey] Potts is just getting more comfortable, More comfortable within the offense, more comfortable in terms of just kind of how we do things around here. And, I see him practicing better and better and better.

“So, we got three guys that we got a lot of confidence in, [and] some young, exciting guys behind them. So, as a defensive coordinator, that’s the challenge. If you can put guys into categories like we’ve talked about with tight ends in the past, where this guy is really a receiver, he’s not a blocker, or this guy’s a blocker, and not a receiver, when you can do both, at the tight end position or as a running back, where you can ge tthe tough yards inside, you can get on the perimeter and create some explosive plays, you’re willing to block and run, and you got a body that you can match up in protection as well, that’s where you become a challenging offense to defend.”

On if the Lions are bigger in the trenches this year entering Big Ten play

JF: “I think we’ve gotten bigger. I think we’ve talked about this multiple times. I think Hakeem [Beamon] was like 270 [pounds] last year. He’s like 285 [now]. Same with Zane Durant]. He was like 275. He’s like 285 now. So, I think there’s some examples of guys that have gotten bigger. Same thing on the offensive line. So I think we’ve gotten bigger.”

On whether it is helpful to open Big Ten play on the road in Week 3 instead of Week 1

JF: “I’m not sure. [Penn State is] just experts of opening on the road, whether it’s the first game, the second game, the third game, the fourth game, not only in my 10 years, but I think over the last 15 years. We’re experts. So, I think we’re going to put an offseason clinic on how to open in the Big Ten.”

On the progress made by Lions receiver Liam Clifford

JF: “So, I think he’s learned from his brother’s experience. It’s kind of like having an older brother who played in the NFL, or an older brother who played major college football. There’s value in that. And then, even more so when the guy did it at the same school, and you were able to go through the process with them and understand the culture and the expectations.

“So in some ways, it’s like a coach’s kid that just is way ahead of the curve compared to most people, because they’ve just been around it pretty much his whole life. I remember Liam coming to camp [to Penn State] as a quarterback, I think in ninth grade, if I remember correctly. So, he’s been around for a long time. And he’s a guy that I think the coaching staff and the players feel like they can depend on, that he can make plays, that he’s consistent.

“He’s done a really good job, I think over the last year, of taking care of his body. Because in the past, I think that’s been a little thing that’s kind of held him up. He’s had some kind of nagging injuries that have happened to him. But, he’s just doing a much better job of all the things you have to do to be a consistent football player. And, I think he’s going to have a big year for us. I think he’s going to have some breakout games and things like that. We have a lot of confidence in him and a lot of belief in him.”

On his feelings about the kickers after they did not kick a field goal in Week 2

JF: “It’s good. It’s been a week. It’s been good. They’ve kicked well.”

On defensive end Adisa Isaac as a leader

JF: “Adisa has been great. Really has been since he’s arrived on campus. He’s a very mature guy. I think you guys know kind of his background with his family and he just came in very mature, very prepared, very steady. I’ve been impressed with him. He just continues to develop as a football player. He’s had some injuries he’s had to overcome. Obviously, he was voted as a captain, so he’s universally respected. And, I think as this year goes on, you’re going to see him continue to get more production and make more plays, especially depending on the offenses we play.”

On Penn State having the most yards and touchdowns in the Big Ten through two weeks

JF: “I think the stats are nice. I think they matter at the end of the season, I don’t think they really matter at the beginning of the season. Because, the schedules are so different. But, obviously we’re doing some good things. We’re balanced right now on both the run game and the pass game, in terms of the ability to do it. We’re able to get the ball in the endzone, [and] we’re efficient, staying on schedule, and we were better last week on third down. So, we’re doing some nice things. But, I don’t get caught up, we don’t get caught up a whole lot, in stats early in the season, just like rankings early in the season.”

On how things are going with offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich working from the coaches box this year

JF: “I think that’s a reason for the stats [laughs]. It’s been good. I said before, I think it’s clearly the better place to call the game. You just can see it better. You’re removed from the emotion. I think Danny O’Brien has done a good job on the sidelines as well. That’s helped. But I think I think so far, so good. And we’ve had to iron out a few kinks that have happened, whether it’s been with personnel or substitutions or some things that we got to get ironed out in terms of just a little bit of the differences on the sideline.

“But, I think it’s been good. And, I think he’s been comfortable with it as well. Again, as long as we continue to communicate well, and score the points that we’re scoring, and get the yards that we’re getting, then obviously I think it’s been a good decision for Penn State.”

On the progress Penn State first-year linebacker Tony Rojas has made so far

JF: “I think he’s playing well. He had some flash plays last week that were impressive. I think the reps that he’s also getting on special teams is valuable as well. I think those those guys that are able to play, and get offensive or defensive reps as well as special teams, there’s a ton of value.

“It’s where sometimes, the offensive linemen that are playing, it’s good. But, they don’t have as many opportunities on special teams. So guys like a linebacker, who is able to start on multiple special teams units and get some defensive reps, I think it really encourages and helps their maturation process. But he’s doing some really good things. I think you’ll see his role continue to grow as the season goes on.”