Penn State, prepping for Purdue opener, understands stakes

James Franklin isn’t necessarily fixating on the downside of Penn State opening its 2022 season on the road. Set to face Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind., on Sept. 1, in prime time, on a national telecast, there are some positives.

At least, that’s what Franklin told a BTN panel Wednesday afternoon at Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis. 

Following a blitz of protestations, both from Franklin and new Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft throughout the afternoon, the Nittany Lion head coach relented at least somewhat.

“It sets the tone for your summer,” Franklin said of the ninth Big Ten road opener in the past nine seasons. “There’s an excitement with your fans and your players to go on the road. We all got respect for Coach Brohm and Purdue, especially in night games that they decided to be the Black Out, the polar opposite of the Penn State White Out. So, we have tremendous respect.”

Maybe more important, the Nittany Lions will have had nearly eight full months to fixate on that respect. 

Following a down year for the Boilermakers in the COVID-impacted 2020 season, finishing 2-4 for the campaign, results improved last year. Despite a nonconference loss at No. 12 Notre Dame the third week of the season, the Boilermakers bounced back to earn statement wins at No. 2 Iowa and against No. 3 Michigan State en route to a 8-4 regular season. Capping it with a thrilling 48-45 overtime win over Tennessee in a bowl, the experience left the Boilermakers feeling confident 

Determined to parlay that confidence into early season success, Purdue safety JAlen Graham acknowledged that Penn State will present a test the Boilermakers are taking quite seriously heading into the matchup.

“It doesn’t really change the mentality, but just make sure that we come in every day and know we have to compete,” Graham said. “We want to get better each day by at least one percent. And competing with each other, that’s going to bring out the best in us. We know that if w e can do that, then by game time, we should be able to go out there and perform.”

For Franklin, another reason for optimism is that Penn State is well-practiced with the experience. Taking down a ranked Wisconsin team, in Madison, to open the 2021 season, Franklin suggested that the knowledge of a hostile crowd, against a motivated host opponent, creates an immediate sense of urgency. 

A game now just 35 days away, Brohm is very much determined to prepare with the same enthusiasm. 

“We’re fortunate enough to play a high-caliber opponent in week 1 on national TV on a Thursday night, which is going to make us prepare extremely hard in order to get ready to play,” Brohm said. “The last time we played Penn State a couple of years ago, it was not a good day for us. They had 28 points before we could blink, and we had to fight just to stay in the ballgame.

“We understand that they’re well coached. They have great talent. They’re going to be hungry, out to prove themselves. We’ve got to play at a high level and execute and do a lot of small things right in order to win that football game.”

Still, Brohm added, the host designation is an element he anticipates will deliver dividends.

“Fortunately for us, we do have it at home. Our fan support has been outstanding the last couple of years for sure,” he said. “They’re looking forward to playing a great opponent, and we’re looking forward to getting on the field.”

While Purdue has a history of success in its Black Out games, notably upsetting No. 3 Ohio State, 49-20, in the 2018 iteration, Penn State has received the treatment before. A 2008 Black Out matchup between the Nittany Lions and Boilermakers resulted in a 20-6 win for the then-No. 6-ranked Lions.

Still, with the start of preseason camp set for Sunday at Penn State, and the trip to Purdue four-and-a-half weeks later, Franklin insisted the Nittany Lions are focused on what’s to come.

“We better have a sense of urgency,” Franklin said. “We’d better have everything buttoned up and the I’s dotted and the T’s crossed. Because, Week One, this will be an impactful game on our season.”