Live updates: Penn State head coach James Franklin press conference

Penn State head coach James Franklin is meeting with reporters following his Nittany Lions’ 33-30 overtime win against Southern Cal on Saturday afternoon.

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Live updates: Penn State head coach James Franklin press conference

(Press conference has ended)

Questions in the room

Winning: Visiting locker rooms make it hard to enjoy because they’re small and divided. It’s not the same. But as you can imagine, it was awesome in there. That’s what it’s all about at this point in his career. Players achieving dreams and rewarded for hard work and same with the staff. Want to see them achieve dreams and goals. Will make for a great ride home, bye week. A ton of things to learn and need to learn from this game. Far from perfect. But 6-0.

Challenge of USC offense: That’s a talented offense, and play-caller. Be honest. And it’s been that way a long time. D stepped up and made plays as game went on. They did a ton of check with me. Did great man beaters. Did better job as game went on. End of the day, players have to make plays and players did that down the stretch. Jay Reed is a tough dude, to see him after the game and how much it meant to him is really cool. Defense stood up when they needed it most.

Explosive plays: With the players they have, the scheme, and what they worked on all week, that’s what he does during the game is manage the game four downs, when to kick, when to go, but also reminders to Tom and Andy when he can of opportunity to take a shot, make them earn it on third and long, not go after them, whatever it may be. Just reminding them from time to time of things thqat can be helpful, and sometimes it works.

Have to find different ways to win through a season. Hopefully more blowouts than not. Some comebacks. Some at home, some on the road with things against you. Weather. Whatever it is. That’s big. Resilient is the best word to define this team today. Good to be able to go in and tell the guys they’re a good second-half team. But would rather be able to say a start fast team. A four quarter team.

The defense, after the turnovers, only gave up six points and that was huge. Hard to have that ending without it.

Drew is just growing up. Based on how he was recruited, then he shows up and expectations through the roof. Last year first-time starter and TD-INT ratio was a lot to a little and people were still critical. But he’s just gotten better in every area. One of the reasons is guys are making plays for him that they weren’t last year. Didn’t get running game going today the way they wanted. That’s a talented team and staff and coming on the road and winning was big. Drew a huge part of it.

Ryan Barker: Were going to run the ball in that situation. You score a touchdown is what you prefer. But also want to be borderline conservative already in field goal range. That was managed really well. Prefered the ball middle or two the left. Got them back to the sweet spot. They tried to ice him. Then he went out and just hit it. Steady Eddie. Was like this as a freshman as well. First walk-off win since Dublin Ireland. Was great having Tig Brown here for the game. Brotherhood here is special.

Drew Allar: It didn’t go perfect for him today and he grinded and pushed through it. Flushed the bad plays and moved on. That’s what you have to do in college football. Guys battled through it. Also wants to give Julian Fleming his flowers because two huge fourth down plays. That was big for them. But Drew was a really good example of what team did all day, battling and overcoming adversity.

Opening statement

Thanks the media for covering Penn State football.

Thanks fans that traveled. It was a really cool environment. Once they got going and made plays, could feel them.

Haven’t been in many games where they’ve lost turnover battle and win the game over. The hail mary doesn’t really count, but the other ones were significant. Won explosives. Won third down – which wouldn’t have thought that. Won sack battle, but wasn’t a ton of that for either side. Lost starting field position which was the turnovers. Penalties, got better the last two weeks. Middle eight was big. Penn State had 10 points to their 3. And back to the turnovers, although they had three, there were only six points off them.

Obviously Tyler Warren a big story of the game. School record for tight ends and second most ever at Penn State. Doesn’t count what he does in the running game. Best tight end in college football and now in conversation for best player in college football.

Ryan Barker walked on at Penn State, opportunity knocked and he’s ready. 4-for-4, on the road, game-winning field goal in overtime. Ryan, cold as ice Barker. Really proud of him.

Went into this game with ton of respect for No. 1 on special teams, did a good job in terms of punt, kick location and coverage.

Just proud of the kids. Tough win on the road. Will make the bye week awesome, because it wouldn’t have been without this.