James Franklin postgame press conference: Live updates

Penn State head coach James Franklin is meeting with the media following his Nittany Lions’ 31-0 win over Iowa on Saturday night. Dominating the Hawkeyes thoroughly, the win advanced Penn State to 4-0 on the 2023 season.

What will Franklin have to say about the effort?

We’re providing live updates from his postgame press conference, here.

James Franklin press conference updates

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Press conference has ended at 11:32 p.m.

Questions in the room

On creating turnovers:

Biggest thing is getting people off schedule. If they stay on schedule and do quick game, it’s hard to get havoc rate that you want. But if you stop first and second down, you put yourself in position to earn the right to rush the passer. Some real positives to build on, but starts on early downs to have that havoc rate.

On putting all three DEs on the field together:

Have three that can be as disruptive as anyone. Chop as a pass rusher, his quickness and power as a change up and different package against their third down. Was good for them. Will continue to do some wrinkles each week based on matchup and scheme. Good to be creative and give people things to think about each week.

On Drew Allar’s performance:

Had some drops they don’t normally have, but with weather, it does. Gotta be better there. Drew did a really good job. So did the protection. Had best blockers on their most dangerous rushers. Drew also doing good job throwing the ball away. You either give yourself another down to pick up a first down, or reserve the right to punt.

On offensive adjustments:

Getting in at halftime and talking through things, did a good job this week. Stayed on schedule. The two biggest stats of playing Iowa is first down efficiency for both sides, offense and defense. Getting them off schedule. Stayed on schedule, and kept them off. The other one was the middle eight. Put a huge emphasis on it by deferring initial coin toss and getting points to open the second half.

Kids settled down. Then Mike did a good job calling the game and not getting bored of calling the plays that get you six yards. Don’t get bored. Keep going back to them.

On Manny Diaz:

Has done a really good job coming in and embracing the culture and how they do things. But also bringing his perspective on his own. The staff has a ton of respect for him. Players the same. Put a priority on athleticism. Probably a few bigger defenses, but they’re quick, fast, and explosive. Playing more consistent, gap sound defense. Manny is doing a great job. From a big picture perspective, but also getting everyone to understand how do you really play defensive football and what it really takes.

Opening statement

Played really good complementary football. Defense was suffocating. Got turnovers. Ball aware. And didn’t turn it over on offense. Special teams – their punter is special, so that was challenging. Especially rolling to your right. That was impressive. 

Only allowed 76 yards in the game. 10th fewest in school history. Iowa had four first downs in whole game. Fourth fewest in Penn State history. Four drives of 10+ plays. Went hand in hand with time of possession.

Scored 30 or more points 11 times in a row. Scored in 28 straight quarters. Longest streaks in the country. 

Won turnover battle. Didn’t win explosive play battle, but grinder that team out. You can’t get bored grinding it out against a team like Iowa. Going for it on fourth down. They make you grind it out. 

Would like to be more explosive, but that wasn’t necessarily important the way it played out. Won third downs. Won sacks. Had three sacks and a ton of pressure. No sacks given up by the OL. Tied penalty battle in terms of number, but not yards, lost that. And field position battle, their punter dominated that stat.