Penn State changed its Thanksgiving plans this year; how is it spending the day?
Penn State football is spending Thanksgiving a little bit differently than most people. That’s not a surprise, considering the massive operation is preparing for its regular season finale opposite Maryland on Saturday. What is unique, though, is that the program has altered its usual holiday plans this year. The team will provide a light lunch today after practice. But, the big turkey meal is already out of the way.
“Thanksgiving plans we changed a little bit this year,” head coach James Franklin said this week. “So we’ll have our Thanksgiving meal as a team Wednesday night and then Thursday morning have our practice like we always do, and then instead of having a Thanksgiving meal afterwards, just trying give the guys as much time as possible.
“So by having it Wednesday night, we’ll still have like a light lunch for them to go in and grab if they want to after practice. It just allows the guys to have more time on Thanksgiving to either go to my house, their position coaches house, for some of the local guys, possibly go home.”
Want breaking news delivered straight to your inbox for FREE? Sign up today for the BWI breaking newsletter! You’ll also get daily updates with the top headlines of the day five times a week. Click here to sign-up!
Last year was different for Penn State, too
The Nittany Lions had a unique Thanksgiving week schedule last year, as well. In 2023, they were on the road to Michigan State for a black Friday showdown at Ford Field. Penn State scored a resounding victory and got the final Saturday of the regular season off. This time around, they will get most of Thursday off before locking in on Friday for the Terrapins.
“A lot of the guys, as you know when we have home games, a lot of families just come in early and they come to practice and do Thanksgiving and then stay for the game,” Franklin said. “When it’s an away game that becomes more challenging.”
Top 10
- 1
A Twisted Mess
Big 12 Championship scenarios
- 2Trending
Saban chirped
Big 12 comes after GOAT
- 3Hot
Underranked SEC
Lane Kiffin protests CFP rankings
- 4
UConn star hospitalized
Alex Karaban hospitalized at Maui Invitational
- 5
DJ Lagway
Fan flashes Florida QB to Pope
Penn State is hoping this is not the only holiday it will have to plan a practice schedule around, of course. With a win Saturday, the Nittany Lions will lock up a spot in the first 12-team College Football Playoff. Round 1 will be played the weekend of Dec. 20. With a win, the Lions would return to action in the quarterfinals over New Year’s, which would, of course, mean the December holiday season would be altered for the team, as well. It’s a trade-off they’d surely be happy to make.
“Excited about the opportunity,” Franklin said. “It’s also Senior Day for our guys, so a lot that comes with that. That’s been a little bit challenging for everybody in college football right now with the COVID years and things like that.
“We look forward to having the opportunity to celebrate the seniors and what they’ve done for our program. Obviously we need to play well and be 1-0 to put us in the best position to be able to continue playing as a family as long as possible.”
