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Penn State at the Rose Bowl video recap: Breaking down the first open practice and a media availability

Mug-Shot 4x4by:Ryan Snyder•12/29/22•

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Penn State opened up practice Thursday. Our staff gives their thoughts from a busy day in Los Angeles. (Credit: Greg Pickel/BWI)

LOS ANGELES — James Franklin and the Penn State football team have been here for a few days now, but Thursday was the first full day of media availabilities and open practice ahead of Monday’s Rose Bowl showdown against Utah.

Blue White Illustrated’s Ryan Snyder and Greg Pickel were in attendance this morning as multiple offensive players on the Lions’ roster wee available to speak with the media for about 30 minutes. In addition to offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, the list included quarterback Sean Clifford, wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley, offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and tight ends Tyler Warren and Theo Johnson.

Then, later in the day, the team opened practice to reporters.

What did we learn? In the video below, Ryan and Greg start with their main takeaways from the morning interview session before moving on to top practice takeaways. The show wraps up with a quick look ahead to what is in store for the Lions on Friday in addition to some early thoughts on the matchup with the Utes, which is set for 5 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Yurcich wants Penn State to start fast

The Penn State offense has not always started fast this season. However, it will be crucial that the team does against a Utah team that can both put points on the board and keep them off of it.

“You get off to a good start by playing fast, so no hesitation, and calling the plays that we feel will keep us on schedule,” Yurcich said on Thursday. “At the same time, [call] the plays where we’re going to be explosive as well. 

“We’ve got to get our running backs involved, we’ve got to get our tight ends involved, [and] we’ve got to get our receivers involved. So trying to make sure that we have a good balance with that and trying to find the mismatches and trying to create space, playing with some tempo at the same time. All those sorts of things help in starting fast and making sure that we’re doing a great job of getting on top early.”

Scruggs talks NFL Draft decision

Penn State lineman Juice Scruggs declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 23. He will play in the Rose Bowl and then move onto the pros. On Thursday, he explained why.

“The night before [the 23rd], it just hit me,” Scruggs said at a media event here on Thursday. “I told my family, and they were like, we got your back, and we support you. They just let me know they’re with me no matter what. It was just something I felt, and I went with it.”

“It was definitely hard. I was contemplating and going back and forth, thinking about coming back or going. But at the end of the day, I sat down with my family and my support cast, and I just realized it was the best decision for me to go for it and put my name in the Draft.”

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