What James Franklin said after Penn State’s win over Rutgers

Penn State was able to get their second win of the season (and second win a row) today against Rutgers. They ended up beating the Scarlet Knights 23-7 and shut them out in the whole first half.

Quarterback Sean Clifford had a good day for the Nittany Lions as he went 15-for-22 for 133 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception. The touchdown pass went to Parker Washington as it was his only catch of the game.

Penn State also had over 225 yards rushing for the game today and Devyn Ford had 65 of those yards, including a touchdown.

With the Nittany Lions feeling good about themselves, here’s what head coach James Franklin had to say after the game.

Franklin: "The weather conditions were significant in the game. Went in to a lot of the decision making, not only during the game but in pregame."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 5, 2020

Franklin: "I think the biggest thing in the game was our fronts… That offense has been able to move the ball and score points against pretty much everybody, but our defense played at a really high level."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 5, 2020

Franklin on the defensive line in 4th and short situations: "It's really been two weeks in a row. 3rd and short stops, 4th and short stops. I thought we did a really good job of playing the box."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 5, 2020

Franklin on rushing with Will Levis: "We gotta mix some passes in here, there's no doubt about it. But the weather was significant today, it effected both offenses."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 5, 2020

Franklin on the defense's growth through the season: "We've gotten back to playing how we've played for six years. Which is limiting explosive plays, making sure people earn it, running to the ball, gang tackling."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 5, 2020

"Has there been some impact of that on other things? Yes," Franklin added.

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 5, 2020

Franklin: "I am very proud of how we've handled COVID, knock on wood, up to this point. At the end of the day, that's really the most important thing."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 5, 2020

Franklin on the deep ball shot to Jahan Dotson that fell incomplete: "I can't believe that there wasn't any contact on that play."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 5, 2020

https://twitter.com/audsnyder4/status/1335325671891947520?s=21

Penn State will conclude their regular season next Saturday against Michigan State in Happy Valley.