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What James Franklin said as Penn State sets sights on season finale vs. Michigan State
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Penn State was able to get back on the winning side on Saturday. Despite a flu bug going around, the Nittany Lions posted a 28-0 victory over Rutgers to improve to 7-4 on the year.
On Tuesday, head coach James Franklin met with reporters as his team prepares for the season finale against Michigan State. He reflected on last week’s victory, and gave a very brief response to his future in Happy Valley.
Though rumored to be a candidate for other jobs, it’s been reported that Franklin and Penn State are working on a contract extension to keep the head coach in State College. Because nothing had been finalized at the time of the press conference, Franklin was not permitted to say much.
Penn State will close out the season on the road against the Spartans on Saturday. Here’s what Franklin had to say during his weekly presser:
Franklin reiterates that the Nittany Lions only had 63 total guys available on offense and defense against Rutgers.
"I thought it was a gritty, culture win."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 23, 2021
Franklin notes that it would help if more players got the flu vaccine.
"I think there's some vaccine fatigue with everything that's been going on…I know there's a lot of talk amongst our guys that they don't want to go though this again."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 23, 2021
Franklin notes that it would help if more players got the flu vaccine.
"I think there's some vaccine fatigue with everything that's been going on…I know there's a lot of talk amongst our guys that they don't want to go though this again."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 23, 2021
Franklin couldn't give a direct answer when asked if he would be Penn State's head coach in 2022. He says he has nothing to report and there "are still some moving parts."
Penn State's Subcommittee on Compensation will meet this afternoon at 3 p.m.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 23, 2021
Franklin says he hopes the Nittany Lions are getting over the last bit of the flu virus that rocked the team last week.
Everyone "should be all ready to go" by Wednesday, Franklin notes.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 23, 2021
"Everybody had envisioned that they were gonna be the Michael Jordan flu game…It didn't necessarily work out that way. I certainly appreciate the effort they tried to give."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 23, 2021
Franklin notes that Mike Miranda and Curtis Jacobs will be good to go against Michigan State.
He added that pair also may practice as early as today.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 23, 2021
"We keep talking about facilities, it's much more than that. But again, I understand the questions."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 23, 2021
Franklin on off-field improvements for the program.
"There was a long period of time where we did nothing and it put us behind, and we've been playing catch up."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 23, 2021
Franklin says the Nittany Lions have "done a really good job" of being thorough in the transfer portal.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 23, 2021
Ji'Ayir Brown didn't walk for Senior Day on Saturday, but Franklin has not yet talked to Brown about how he wants to handle things.
"I don't want to make an announcement on here that I really think is for him to make."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 23, 2021
That's all from Franklin. Here's how he ended his call.
"I appreciate the questions and I understand them. I'm sorry I couldn't give you guys more information."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 23, 2021
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB