James Franklin cites much-needed team identity emerging: Notebook

Penn State head coach James Franklin returned to meet with the media Wednesday following the team’s midweek practice session. Heading into a Saturday matchup with Central Michigan to close out the nonconference portion of the schedule, Franklin was asked a variety of questions assessing the play thus far of his Nittany Lions, as well as some previewing the Chippewas.

Here’s a look at some of the news, notes, and observations to emerge from the session:

James Franklin news and notes items

1) James Franklin’s take on Central Michigan

Franklin took his first formal questions of the week about the Chippewas on Wednesday evening. Given their 1-2 start to the season, falling to No. 9 Oklahoma State and South Alabama before rebounding with a 41-0 win over Bucknell last weekend, the relative oversight doesn’t come as a complete surprise in a game Penn State is heavily favored to win.

Still, Franklin did expand on running back Lew Nichols, who he identified Tuesday as someone he’d been impressed with offensively. A sophomore who finished atop the FBS rushing yard chart with 1,848 last season, Franklin said Penn State will have to prepare accordingly. 

“I think you’re talking about a really productive back. I think he went to high school with the King brothers, if I remember correctly. He’s a Detroit kid,” Franklin said. “But, different style back. Tank was extremely quick and explosive. This kid’s very well-rounded, very productive, but probably a different style runner.”

2) Toughness

Speaking of style, another question about the hit on Sean Clifford in the first quarter of Saturday’s game at Auburn allowed Franklin to drop in an interesting caveat. 

“I did make a big deal out of that with the team because, I feel like we’re starting to create an identity as a tough and physical team,” Franklin said. “And, I know that may not seem to align with that play, but the way Sean just bounced right back up right after that, to me was impressive. He took their best shot and bounced right back up.”

A quality Franklin has talked about but had difficulty cultivating at Penn State in the past few seasons, the comment was an interesting turn toward what he believes this team has the capability of becoming this year. Or, at least, it’s a public acknowledgment of the direction he’s intending to push this team. 

3) Identity in motion

Asked about some of the changes Penn State has implemented offensively this season, the most bare-bones acknowledgment of what separates the group came to the forefront on Wednesday.

Noting that they have gone under center more, and have included more quarterback sneaks, Franklin said the gap schemes haven’t changed much. But, he added, the inclusion of snaps under center has been a product of what he considers the strengths of the offense this year.

“I think a big part of that is, a big strength of our personnel is our tight ends. A big strength right now of our personnel is our running backs, and being as multiple as we possibly can,” Franklin said.  

4) Drew Allar at work

Given the limited action of Drew Allar, and the notable performances the true freshman quarterback has put on when given the opportunity, Franklin was asked what his weaknesses are on Wednesday.

Declining the specifics, noting that opponents would be tuning in for the same information, Franklin did note that one of the big hurdles to development is a lack of game reps, typically. And, more importantly, Penn State’s opportunities to get the second-string signal-caller in the game have been well-received and extremely important to his future. 

“A lot of it is a rep thing with him. He needs to gain as much experience as possible. It’s fairly unusual that we’re in this situation, especially with the type of schedule that we have played, that he’s been able to play in every game. So there’s a ton of value from that,” Franklin said. “But more than anything, it’s just practice reps and game reps and experience.”