Live updates: James Franklin postgame press conference - Nevada
Penn State head coach James Franklin getting started here shortly to recap his Nittany Lions’ 46-11 season-opening win over Nevada. Follow our live updates from the press conference, here:
Penn State head coach James Franklin press conference updates
(Updates will appear in reverse chronological order. Page does not automatically refresh. Press conference has ended at 7:35 p.m.)
Jim Knowles
08/30/2025 06:35:06 PMHe’s not an excitable guy. He’s even. He whispers. Now, on the headset when things don’t go well, you see a different side. Practice, yeah. But besides that, walks in hallway quiet. Speaks a little in meetings. So animated with him before the game to get a reaction from him. But that’s who he is. Talk about that all the time. Just be the best version of you and comfortable in own skin. Jim knows who Jim is. Happy he’s with the program.
Ceiling for Dani Dennis-Sutton
08/30/2025 06:33:24 PMWhen you’re 6-5, 265, extremely strong, quicker and faster than people realize. He’s a well-rounded DE. There are some guys that are great pass rushers, good against the run. He can do both. He’s a unique guy and going to have a big year. His motor is always at 100. From snap to whistle, plays tail off, and when you do that good things happen. If you run to the ball, will make a play. When you play with that type of effort, good things happen. He is hungry, motivated, driven. He wants to be great. A lot of guys say that. He eats, sleeps, dreams football and wants to be special. Been that way since he was recruited. 10 pounds he lost has been helpful for him. Going to contribute to him having a bigtime year.
OL/DL
08/30/2025 06:31:30 PMTheir QB made some plays with his legs. OL played a ton of zone, trying to get an extra hat in the box and that impacted them a little. So didn’t have explosive runs they would hope, but there’s a reason for that. Part of the plan. Soft coverage, not allow RB to beat you. Last year, that would happen sometimes and weren’t able to distribute the ball enough. But did that today. Things to clean up but good. A lot there with the OL and how they can play.
Red zone struggles and running game
08/30/2025 06:30:17 PMWouldn’t describe it as struggle, but reality was he told Andy to call some plays that wouldn’t convert so they could work on field goals. Stalled out a few times. Doesn’t want to give coach answer to watch tape to decide. But obviously didn’t execute down there and need to do that. Outside zone run game could have been better. But stalled out there. Exactly why, doesn’t have that answer. But if you’re going to critique, that’s an area to do it. But again, blessing in disguise was 4-4 on FG and that will pay dividends down the road.
Special teams kick return
08/30/2025 06:28:25 PMThat’s going to be important and important for King Mack. He made a mistake by leaving, figured it out and came back and made a big play in his first game. Only thing that was somewhat disgusting was the two point play. Kicking game overall good.
Transfer receivers:
08/30/2025 06:26:59 PMGut says good. Need to look at it to talk it through. Pena surprised. Thought Kyron Hudson would have led. Pena 7 catches, Hudson six catches more yards. Got Nick and Rapp involved. Left some guys on that last drive to get them touchdowns. Got Dink a touch. Tried to get a touch to Liam. Hudson looks very mature and poised. Almost made the ball that was behind him in the end zone. Mature, strong, confident. Pena good things. Will continue to get Ross involved. Would like to get tight ends more involved. But overall, really good game one. Need to take significant step between game one and two.
Opening statement
08/30/2025 06:14:30 PMWith everything that’s going on with the stadium, atmosphere and fans were great. Beautiful day. Overall, pleased. Came out and played how they were supposed to. Have a ton of things to get cleaned up. The reps they got late in the game for twos and threes will be really valuable. Not perfect, but will serve them well as the season goes on. Overall, played how they were supposed to. Have to finish some drives on offense and not finish with field goals. But the field goal work was good too. Won takeaway battle, and scored 16 points off them. Not as explosive as he’d like to be today. He’s a smart coach. On offense, they shortened the game. On defense, played bend but don’t break. Still need to be more explosive.
Third down battle significant, third down battle. DId not win penalty battle. Not happy about the last one. Official threw flag. Not happy at all. Middle eight was great. Saved all timeouts. See a ton of sloppy football early in season and didn’t see any of that. No stupid penalties, no turnovers. Had all timeouts available at end of first half, scored there. Got points coming out in second half. That was big.
Had first takeaway on a defensive possession to start the season since 1994. Dani Dennis-Sutton first Penn Stater to force two fumbles since Micah Parsons. Singleton has 43 touchdowns, passing Lydell Mitchell for second all time at Penn State. Ton of cool stuff. Andy, year two could feel difference. Same with Stig. And for first game at Penn State, liked operation on head set with Jim and how poised he was.
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