Everything James Franklin said at B1G Media Days
This year’s B1G Media Days kicked off inside Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday, and Penn State head coach James Franklin took to the microphone to discuss plans, and goals for the 2021 season.
Most notable from his comments was that Franklin was able to reunite with his family just last month after a 14-month separation due to the pandemic.
The goal, according to Franklin, is to return to Lucas Oil Stadium at the end of the season for the B1G Championship Game. If the Nittany Lions can build on the momentum they gained at the end of last season running off four-straight wins against Michigan, Rutgers, Michigan State, and Illinois, they just may pull it off.
Franklin also discussed the addition of Mike Yurcich as offensive coordinator and what that might mean for the Nittany Lion offense in 2021.
Below are some of Franklin’s comments from the presser.
James Franklin talks about challenging start to the season, opening the year on the road against Wisconsin.
Franklin says he's a fan of these primetime games early in the year.
"I must admit, having Wisconsin's logo up there has raised the standard."
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) July 22, 2021
James Franklin says there won't be a lot of change to Penn State scheming offensively with Mike Yurcich running the show
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) July 22, 2021
James Franklin: Consistency on defense is as good as anyone in the country.
Says PSU is as good at linebacker as anyone in the country and has the best secondary unit since he's been head coach of the Nittany Lions.
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) July 22, 2021
James Franklin: We're hungry. We've got a chip on our shoulder.
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) July 22, 2021
James Franklin says he and his family have been separated almost 14 months because of the pandemic. Just reunited last month.
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) July 22, 2021
James Franklin says there were so many valuable lessons he and his team learned through last season.
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) July 22, 2021
James Franklin: That's the goal, to get back (to Lucas Oil Stadium).
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) July 22, 2021
James Franklin: It starts with Wisconsin and it starts with 1-0.
Only slightly disappointed it wasn't "Wisconsin, Wisconsin, Wisconsin, Wisconsin…"
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) July 22, 2021
Penn State also unveiled some home-game themes early Thursday morning prior to the start of Media Day action. Among other things, the Nittany Lions announced the White Out Game will be Sept. 18 when SEC foe Auburn comes to Happy Valley.
