Penn State has extra days off after beating Purdue; how will it use them?
West Lafayette, Ind. — Two Penn State players could only grin when asked what playing two days earlier than normal would mean moving forward.
The Lions played their first Thursday night opener in program history to start the 2022 season. They beat Purdue in it, 35-31, here at Ross-Ade Stadium.
Head coach James Franklin said prior to the matchup that he liked the early opener. It allowed the team to get into camp early. And, it will give them more time to look ahead to Week 2 opponent Ohio and also other future foes. The players will do that, too. But, they’ll also get some newfound time to themselves, too.
“It’s amazing,” running back Keyvone Lee said. “More rest time and recovery rest time recovery. We get ahead on the next week.”
Added tight end Brenton Strange:
“Hopefully it will give us a little bit more recovery. Go in [Friday], watch the film and then after that focus on Ohio.”
The Penn State focus won’t only be on rejuvenation and relaxation, though. There is still plenty of work to do.
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Friday is a work day for Penn State
Penn State has been following its own calendar, and not the days of the week, since camp started. For example, this past Monday was the team’s typical Wednesday.
Now, Friday will be what the team normally does on Sunday. Plus, players will have classes, as well.
“There’s a bunch of stuff we got to get corrected [Friday],” Franklin said.
“We will have meetings and practice tomorrow. But obviously, it’s much better to learn these lessons and grow with them a win, a tough win, on the road 12 out of the last 13 years [to open Big Ten play].”
Penn State has plenty to work on before it faces the Bobcats. It must improve in many areas if it hopes to earn future conference road wins like this one again. The Lions survived despite many shortcomings. Fixing those starts first thing Friday. And, frankly, it did as soon as the busses pulled out of the stadium here and the iPad and laptops turned on.
I’m proud of what we did today,” quarterback Sean Clifford said.
“I think that we have a lot to improve on, starting with myself. Fingers pointing right here. But, just happy to start 1-0, because you can’t go 2-0 without being 1-0.”
Penn State-Ohio kicks at Noon next Saturday on ABC at Beaver Stadium.
