Skip to main content
penn-state logo

Penn State post-practice update: James Franklin press conference

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•09/14/22•

ThomasFrankCarr

On3 image
Penn State head coach James Franklin said that tight end Theo Johnson is doing more each day and is trending in the right direction to play. (Photo: Thomas Frank Carr/BWI)

Penn State head coach James Franklin met with the media for roughly ten minutes on Wednesday evening after practice. He spoke on Auburn’s physicality, tight end Theo Johnson’s status, and more. Subscribe to Blue White Illustrated so you don’t miss any news!

Penn State post-practice update

The first question Franklin fielded on Wednesday night dealt with Auburn’s challenge as a physical, run-first team. While Franklin didn’t disagree with the question, he pointed out one fact about his team’s season so far that might help prepare them for this Saturday.

He also discussed Penn State sophomore tight end Theo Johnson and his availability for Saturday. The ultra-athletic pass catcher hasn’t seen the field yet this season and is out with an undisclosed injury.

Next, he fields another question about the Auburn run game. How will the safeties play in run support? Franklin counters the idea that they should be involved in the first place.

Press Conference Rundown

00:00 Video starts
00:12 Physicality of Auburn
00:52 Status of Izzard and Vilbert
01:00 The Johnson update
01:30 Safeties in run support
01:56 Defensive tackle rotation
03:12 Kaytron Allen status
03:22 Penn State Running back rotation
03:39 College football playoff effect on ranked matchups?
04:25 Defensive line sack deficiency
05:00 Johnny Dixon starting over Kalen King
05:52 Personnel groupings
07:30 How do you balance confusing a quarterback without confusing yourself
08:44 Harrison Wallace heading back to his home state
09:32 Hakeem Beamon evaluation

Practice Highlights

Penn State faces it’s most physical test of the 2022 season on Saturday when they face the Auburn tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Linebacker Curtis Jacobs and the Penn State defenders are prepping for that physical confrontation.

Penn State could have a boost in store ahead of its trip to Auburn this weekend. As seen at practice on Wednesday afternoon, third-year tight end Theo Johnson was a full participant.

The sighting at Penn State’s partially opened practice session comes after Johnson has been sidelined for each of the past two weeks with an undisclosed injury.

As reported by Franklin during his weekly radio show last Thursday night, when asked by a fan whether or not Johnson would be available for the game against Ohio Saturday at Beaver Stadium, the “bumps and bruises” could potentially still keep him out of action.

“That’s to be determined,” Franklin said. “He’s got some bumps and bruises that we’re working through with the trainers. It’s not our call, that’s the trainers and the medical professionals. And I typically don’t get into those things. 

Read more on Theo Johnson here.

You may also like