Live updates: James Franklin Fiesta Bowl media day
Penn State head coach James Franklin is joining reporters for the official media day of this week’s Fiesta Bowl. His Nittany Lions, 12-2 on the season with a first-round College Football Playoff win over SMU, will look to continue their run by knocking off Boise State on Tuesday evening.
Accordingly, Franklin and the Nittany Lions are strictly business for what’s become a rapidly transformed bowl experience.
“It’s a phenomenal town. But this is a business trip for us,” Franklin said last week. “This isn’t like the normal bowl games anymore. This is the playoffs, and the (quarterfinal) round of playoffs. We’re still obviously under the bowl umbrella and very appreciative of the Fiesta Bowl. But this is not like when we would come there and do different activities. We are there to play a game.
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“I know the Fiesta Bowl is going to do some phenomenal things and treat us in a first-class manner, because that’s just how they operate and that’s what they do. But for us, this is about coming out there and getting our team ready to play a really good Boise team, and represent the Big Ten and represent Penn State University and our alumni and our lettermen and our entire community the right way.”
Follow along as we provide live updates from the press conference.
Live updates: James Franklin Fiesta Bowl media day
(Page does not automatically refresh. Updates will appear in reverse chronological order. Franklin individual portion done at 8:51 a.m. MT)
Cam Ward/Beau situations, fixing college football
12/29/2024 09:50:54 AMIt’s a challenge. It’s been challenging. Now more challenging. It’s one of these things they can’t just keep talking about as a challenge and a problem, have to come up with some solutions. A lot of people have brought it up. He feels strongly that they need a commissioner of college football thinking of what’s in the best interest of college football. Right now being done by conferences. But when decisions running college football, they’re biased toward their conference which is not in the best interest of college football and student-athletes.
What are some of those solutions?
Whenever a coach says this, people don’t want to hear it from coaches, but if every decision they make is based on money, they’re heading in the wrong direction. Getting rid of conference championship games helps with that because right now not everyone is playing one anyway, and committee asked to go apples to apples, can’t do that when not everyone playing the same model. Also important for everyone to play the same number of conference games. And then start a week earlier. If you can take some of the stress off of the academic calendar – God forbid we talk about academics – maybe old school and traditionalist, but still believes in the model. Wants to throw out recommendations instead of just complaining. But let’s get a commissioner of college football making decisions in the best interest of college football. Nick Saban would be the obvious choice. There are some other really good candidates out there. But that would be a very important step moving forward to come up with some solutions and do what’s best for the sport.
Utilizing Oregon film common opponent:
12/29/2024 09:46:23 AMWhen you talk about respecting an opponent, that’s all you have to watch is seeing their performance at Oregon. For the players and staff, when you share a common opponent, can see parallels and there is a ton of value in that. Valuable for staff and players.
Ethan Grunkemeyer progress since SMU:
12/29/2024 09:45:16 AMSuper talented young man that they have a lot of confidence in. Up to this point, he’d been impressing people on the developmental squad, making some phenomenal throws. During training camp he was getting more reps when actually competing. To get him more reps now with the varsity is invaluable. WIll have some packages for him for this game because it’s important to get him in this game. Under the circumstances, his journey has changed and team has a ton of confidence in him.
Opening statement
12/29/2024 09:43:38 AMExcited about being here. Penn State has tremendous history at the Fiesta Bowl. Had a tremendous experience last time. Bowl treated them unbelievably. Not approaching this like a bowl game though. This is a playoff game and wants to make sure players understand the differences. This is a business trip and wants guys to understand that. Really good so far. Excited about the opportunity.
When you look at Penn State’s history 7-0 in this game and Boise is 3-0. So two teams with tremendous history. A ton of respect for the coach, university, and program. One of the most exciting games in Fiesta Bowl history, Boise was involved with.
“I can guarantee you, they have our respect. We take a lot of pride in that as a program that we respect everyone that we play, but it’s not hard to create that when you watch them on tape.”
Guys have done a great job all week preparing.
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