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Everything James Franklin said as Penn State prepares for Rutgers
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Penn State is heading to New Jersey this weekend to take on a Rutgers team that allowed just 3 points last week in their 35-point win over Indiana. But the Scarlet Knights only scored 3 points during their 49-point loss to No. 19 Wisconsin last week.
So which Rutgers team will the Nittany Lions see?
Last week’s 21-17 loss to No. 8 Michigan dropped the Nittany Lions out of the AP Top 25, after once being as high as No. 4. At 6-4 overall, Penn State is already bowl eligible, but its 3-4 record in B1G play has it at risk of posting back-to-back losing seasons in league play—which would be the first time since 2003-04.
The Nittany Lions will need to rebound from the loss to Michigan, and Rutgers has its own agenda with their 5-5 record; the Scarlet Knights are looking to become bowl eligible for the first time in 7 seasons.
PSU head coach James Franklin spoke with the media after practice on Wednesday and had some comments about the upcoming game with the Scarlet Knights.
There’s a virus going around campus (non-covid-related) that Franklin said has kept people out of practice this week
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 17, 2021
Franklin said Penn State had about six guys with non-COVID illnesses sit out of practice today.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2021
Franklin said Christian Veilleux is basically the No. 2 quarterback at this point. However, it’s still a weekly conversation.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2021
“I’m happy to talk about Rutgers,” Franklin said.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2021
Some context here, ESPN (national) showed up for a 10 year anniversary of Paterno’s death story. https://t.co/bFpFmtmBBs
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) November 17, 2021
Franklin said he’s “very pleased” with Kalen King’s development. He saw a lot of time against Michigan with TCF banged-up down the stretch.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2021
Franklin on Penn State’s current goal: “We’ve [won national championships] before, at a different time in college football. That is the expectation and that is the mentality.”
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2021
Franklin on Jesse Luketa’s position change and his future: “I don’t think it complicates it…the more things you can do and the more value you can bring for the team you’re playing for, the better.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2021
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.