Live updates: James Franklin weekly press conference

Penn State head coach James Franklin is addressing reporters ahead of his Nittany Lions’ major test against Ohio State this week. A game pitting the Nos. 3 and 4 teams in the nation, how will the hosts fare?

Franklin will discuss the latest on his program, including injury updates, on Monday afternoon from Beaver Stadium. Follow our live updates, here.

Live updates: James Franklin weekly press conference

(Press conference set to begin at noon. press conference has ended at 12:46 p.m.)

Questions in the room

How to make decision of when to use wrinkles like Abdul at Mike last week:

The biggest thing is wanting to make sure, just like on offense, like with Tyler Warren, very similar defensively. If Abdul Carter is always lined up at same side of DE, you can see what happens. People will always have someone on that side to extend offensive line and chip, to widen him from QB, to chip with TE on the way out.

What you’re trying to do is game plan on defense where you can move Abdul around where offense can’t always say they’ll chip with TE, chip with RB, slide the line for double team with guard and tackle. And by moving him around, LDE, RDE, off the ball linebacker, and blitz, there is an advantage to doing that. Other thing is his linebacker days help him as a dropper as well. Though DEs drop in a lot of schemes, not something they’re natural at. More times than not, prefer him rushing the QB. But having diversity is important schematically and to put him in best position to be productive to cause challenges for offense to account for him. Similar to what they do on offense with Tyler Warren. Some done that week with the opponent where there are issues, some game plan specific or you’ve been working on it for the last few weeks and waiting for right time to use it.

Beau’s development as a passer over three years:

Goes back to watching him in high school. Tries to see all the seniors committed if he can. Came back so impressed. Game looked so easy to him and poised. Finished 14 of 16. Game looked so easy. Really impressed watching him play live. Then he showed up on campus and he’s smart, mature, and extremely competitive. Attacks it in every area. Weight room, classroom, every area. Teammates love him. Thing everyone talks about is ability to make plays with his legs. But no one in the program that also doesn’t believe he can do it with his arm, too. Has different throwing style and mechanics than Drew. But gets a ton of reps and opportunities. In the past, some challenges where they needed to call game differently and didn’t do that, and he would play more of a style like Drew, and in a lot of ways that benefitted him too because he’s had to prepare as if he’s not the mobile QB that he is. Positives for that throughout his development. But Andy did phenomenal job of calling the game based on his strengths. Beau’s threat as a runner, just like play action pass, creates some opportunities. People may feel like they need to spy him which creates opportunities to throw down the field. Another weapon and thing they need to deal with. Pleased by his development as a total quarterback.

Identity of this Penn State team:

Won’t answer that because in his mind, tries to get the identity of the team they’re playing and use that against them. If you can understand identity and take it away, use it to their advantage. Everyone probably has a pretty good idea of what the identity is. Some question over first few games. But not now.

On how division free, expanded playoff has changed this game:

It’s impactful. It probably changes some things. Changes some programs in the east more than some changes in the west. Some programs in east happy, some in west probably not. But expanded playoff is a good thing for college football. Thinks going away from divisions in Big Ten is good for the Big Ten. What’s interesting is, questions like this, or working with AFCA, ask people to vote or make decisions based on college football and not Penn State, and he’s answering about what’s good for college football and not Penn State. But those two things dramatically have changed game. More still coming. Staying at 12-teams in playoffs? Doesn’t know. Probably growing. Doesn’t matter what the number is, always will have complaints. Need to find sweet spot for the model in general that takes everyone’s best interests into account. But they’re good changes because it creates more opportunities for people to be involved every year so it’s not the same 3-5 teams every year.

Confidence of being able to overcome injury adversity:

Had the early injury bug, things leveled off, then you play really good, physical teams, and those things are going to happen. Have been tested. Have proven they can overcome some of those things. Have proven they have some pretty good depth. But when you’re playing one of the better, more talented teams in the country, want to be as healthy as you can. Appreciative of how players, doctors and trainers handling it. Also appreciative of Cael, who dealt with injuries last year, reaching out last night talking about how they’ve dealt with it. Really cool environment of coaches at Penn State. Going to do everything in their power, every resource, to have guys ready to play and play well. Physical, mental, emotional, maturity component to all those things.

Anthony Donkoh:

Not in the same category as Drew and Dani for extensive playing experience. A little different. Have been playing Rucci a bunch anyway. Need both of those guys. Living in the training room. And for all players, maturation process that comes from the players of figuring out what can you play with and what should you play with and what you shouldn’t. Guys have to figure that out and that’s part of maturation. medical will step in when a guy can’t play but guys have to figure that out sometimes for themselves. He’s working through that right now. Great kid, smart kid. Expect to play both of those guys but it’s too early to say.

How Ethan Grunkemeyer has come along:

Huge fan of Grunk and a ton of excitement in the program. Talk to D coaches and players about respect for him. Have a relationship with Brad Maendler and he’s done a phenomenal job. A lot of excitement about him. A nice blend of Drew and Beau, and he makes throws that are really impressive. Only so much time to go around, but Danny is doing a really good job and Grunk is too. Same as conversations about Beau preparing as the starter. Easier said than done. But his improvement has been dramatic and he has a special future. Fortunate to have those guys here. Watching what happened on Saturday, it doubles down and reinforces to those guys having it together. If Drew is able to practice and getting reps to Beau, hard to get reps to third guy. If you’re not careful, trying to get all of them ready gets none of them ready. Probably won’t change a whole lot based on information he has right now.

Questions on zoom

Andy Kotelnicki:

Andy has been on his radar for a while. Interviewed him for TEs job when he hired Ty Howle. Played Buffalo when they were there. Ton of respect for Lance. Andy has been calling plays for a long time, there is value in that experience. But the thing was, did some really good things the last couple of years but lacked in explosives. Looked at the coordinators and teams producing them and not just because their genetics are better. Where are they coming from and being created and are they happening consistently and against biggest competition? When you looked at those things, list narrowed quickly. And they have a relationship, and knew how Lance felt about him. Gotta give Kansas and Lance and their AD a ton of credit because it wasn’t an easy hire. He’d been there a long time. Kansas is committed to winning at football at a level unseen in a long time.

Learned threads against Ohio State:

They’re a really good team. As talented of a roster as anyone in the country and it’s that way every year, and this year. Have to play really well, clean. Need a great environment. It’s a challenge. The guys are ready for the challenge. Need a really good week of practice but don’t need to change anything. Get better and refine the process. That’s the plan is be prepared for a really good team. One of the most talented teams every year. And in terms of wins and losses, one of the most productive in the country. That’s what they’re focused on is Penn State and Ohio State teams for this year. Is excited that this team has shown everybody that they’re going to find ways to get the job done and have to find a way to do that again this week.

Dani Dennis-Sutton, Amin Vanover, Smith Vilbert:

Thought Smith and Amin played very well. Amin one of the most physical guys on the team. Really proud of those two guys. Came from the same high school program that does a phenomenal job. Felt very confident coming into this season that both would have big years and still believe that. Both will play football a long time. 

Dani will have the ability to play in this game. He’s been in training room the last two days. Will go right up to game time to see where they’re at with things. If he can go, he’ll go. If not, have a ton of confidence in the other guys as well. Played Max as well and will be prepared to play him again this week. Would like to redshirt him, but if it comes to winning, will play him and Max is on board with that as well. Too early to tell at this point.

Beau Pribula:

As a defense, it’s difficult because when you’re preparing for Drew and Beau will have his few plays sprinkled in per quarter, that’s difficult. But when the game plan flips and Beau is in there, it changes it dramatically for the defense. Most people aren’t built like that. QBs are similar guys. Penn State’s are different in a lot of ways. Not in a situation where the offense totally changes, but what’s nice, and a big reason bringing Andy here, have enough diversity in playbook to focus on strengths of players in there. That’s all he did on Saturday was remind Andy that. It’s been a problem in the past in practice and games that you should call the game differently to Beau’s strengths. The threat of the QB run impacts the defense. The spike of more QB runs and scrambles affects the defense. And Beau’s threat of passing is another level of concern that defense has to deal with.

The other thing not talked about a whole lot is how Beau has gone about business since he got on campus. He has everyone’s confidence and trust. When he went in game, a lot of confidence to have Beau in that role.

On things changing this week with NIL, events, recruiting:

Nothing changes. Everyone reaches out and wants to do interviews with specific players. Have guidelines in place to prevent over extension. Trying to keep this as consistent and structured as possible to stick to normal routine. But all the other things, the stadium, different things going on, don’t deal with that. That’s where administration handle all those things. He’s worried about the Lasch Building, the playing surface and locker room. All other things outside of that, try not to spend any time on.

On Ohio State becoming more physical and defensive:

Doesn’t know if that’s talk. Unaware of that conversation. The last number of years have played really good D and Knowles has taken it to a whole other level. This year, with Chip, a commitment to running the ball. That’s always been the case with his history. But just basing it off film.

On Drew Allar and what he needs to see to make a decision:

Franklin: He’s played enough football that the timeline will go all the way to the game. From a practice perspective, no matter where they’re at on Tuesday, have to get both guys reps Tuesday and Wednesday. But it’s too early to tell at this point. Decision will go to game time. But going to have to have both guys ready, and possibly all three. Challenging to do during a game week. Had conversations with Danny and Andy already. But Drew played enough football that it’ll go all the way to game time to make that decision.

Opening statement

Wants to recognize Jaylen Reed and Zane Durant, each of whom should be discussed nationally for the impact and seasons they’re having.

Wisconsin: Had not had a delay of game penalty all year. That was disappointing. Fumbled snap uncharacteristic. Need to get that cleaned up. Defensively, some substitution things – had 12 guys on the field, but had to burn a timeout earlier and didn’t have one available to impact that. Player going on the field didn’t communicate with one needing to come off.

Ohio State: A ton of respect for what they’ve done for a long time under a number of coaches and again this year. Chip Kelly strong running game. They’re doing it again this year. Will Howard is a big guy and playing really good football. He’s from Pennsylvania, so he’ll have a bunch of support here. Henderson one of the most explosive RBs in the country. Judkins, familiar with as well. And a bunch of receivers. Smith, the freshman. But a number that could be talked about.

Jim Knowles a PA guy. Multiple scheme defense. Their three safeties talked about the most. They’ve been doing it back to his time at Oklahoma State and continues to do a nice job. Downs playing well. Burke. And two DEs that are challenging. Both of those DEs playing extremely well.

Know this will be a challenge and a tremendous environment necessary. Need it rocking no matter what time it is. Need great environment, in stadium early, need it rocking, standing and screaming on third downs and critical possessions. All hands on deck game.