Live updates: James Franklin holds Delaware presser

Penn State head coach James Franklin is meeting with the media with a 2-0 record on the 2023 season. Knocking off visiting Delaware on Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium, the 63-7 thrashing sets the Nittany Lions up to start Big Ten play next week at Illinois.

Is Penn State on track to move into the conference schedule? What’s up with Olu Fashanu? How was Drew Allar‘s performance evaluated?

Franklin is taking questions to provide his perspective on Penn State’s start to the campaign and its latest win. Follow our live updates from the press conference, below, or in the Lions Den.

James Franklin press conference updates

(Press conference updates will be presented in reverse chronological order.)
Press conference has ended at 4:05 p.m.

Questions for James Franklin in the room

On quality of backups’ performances:
Challenged them at halftime to play better in second half than the first. Could make the argument that they did. It’s a start. Will have better idea to grade them after he watches film. But a pretty good example for young guys. Grade the fourth quarter as hard as the first. This will be really good film for all those guys on Sunday.

On smallest detail improvement from last year to this:
He showed signs last year, but it was small sample size. This training camp as well as these first two games, there are a ton of plays to evaluate. What everyone can now see, with larger reps and sample size, is what they saw all training camp. It’s exciting to build on.
If you’re the first two opponents, specifically the first, you say you’re not going to let Singleton and Allen beat you. Make the first time starting QB prove he can do it, no matter what the hype is. He has to prove it.
Well now, for DC’s moving forward, you’re in a tougher spot. Two RBs that can be challenging and a QB that has shown he can do it and make the plays. There is enough evidence where as a DC, you’re questioning the model to beat Penn State.

On Drew Allar handling this week:
He’s steady Eddie. You can pat on the back or scream at him, and he doesn’t change. His prep, he does it as starter last year and has taken it to new level this year. Great job managing the game, the clock, situational football. Has been impressed with him. A larger number of plays to be able to evaluate. The two minute drive with no timeouts was impressive. A ton to build on, but so far, so good.
Then Beau coming in and moving the offense, doing it in a different way, and now defenses watch it and say they have to prepare for that. Now Beau has shown what he can do, you can put him in in a drive, and you gotta spend a ton of time preparing for that. That’s exciting for Penn State.

Early season scheduling:
There is ample evidence of what the right thing to do is. With eight conference games, it might be different. But end of day, you’re doing what you think is right for your university and program. And you’re also doing studies, seeing data and seeing what it says. 
And the other thing is value, getting a ton of guys on field, and get starters off the field, there is a ton of it. It’s a long season. If you have an opportunity to play 15 and in all 15 your starters are in for all four quarters and your starters are grinding it out. 
When you talk about all those things, conference games, championship, playoff, all those factor in.

On OL:
Board was incorrect about starting lineup. Couple of guys missed practice this week with the flu bug going around. But they could play. So, because of missed practice, felt other guys should start. Wanted to get Dawkins reps. Vega played a ton today. Got J’Ven and Donkoh in as well. It’s a lot to build on. Also keeps guys fresh. Will be really good film for young guys. Will still have D squad scrimmage Sunday night, and some will be out of it for this week because of rep count, but not for the season. Still a long way to go.

What goes into RB decisions:

Kaytron averaged over 5 yards a carry, Potts over eight, Nick over four with three touchdowns. They’ve bought into having two starting tailbacks. Will see how that goes week to week. Will play both starter reps. They’re competitors and want the ball and want to make plays. But both understand that with their potentials for their careers, it’s best to preserve tread. They can get hot in the heat of battle. Will continue to play both as starters, similar to tight end.

Opening statement

Awesome crowd for an FCS opponent. An example of how special this place is. In today’s day and age, people are struggling to get fans at games, and they just did 108k for a noon game, especially with the weather forecast. Weather held out.
Offensively, very efficient. Stayed on the field, sustained drives, converted on third and fourth downs.
One thing is penalties. Wasn’t happy with that. But other than that, played efficiently on offense.
Defensively, same thing. Had one play where they weren’t gap sound, and they have guys that could exploit it. Good example of gap accountability. But overall, statistically, really good.
More consistent on special teams. Kickoffs, few kick returns things to clean up. Didn’t have a whole lot of punt opportunities. So something to build on.
Able to play a ton of guys. That will be important down the stretch. And, got a lot of guys off the field. Will be interested to see play counts for Olu and Hunter. Keeps those guys fresh and healthy moving forward.
Won turnovers, explosive plays, third down, sack battle, field position. DIdn’t win penalties, which was disappointing.