Here's what a 'fired up' James Franklin said during his weekly presser
After its huge win against Auburn in Week 3, Penn State is getting set for one last tune-up before B1G play.
Penn State coach James Franklin met the media Tuesday ahead of the final game of the non-conference slate and spoke further about that victory over Auburn — and how “resilient” his team was.
The Nittany Lions pulled out a thrilling 28-20 victory over Auburn during Beaver Stadium’s annual “White Out” game last week, and while Franklin didn’t directly address it, he was clearly frustrated with the officiating. That could be why he thought Penn State was “fighting more than just Auburn.”
Here’s more of what Franklin had to say.
#PennState coach James Franklin: "I was fiery last week for a lot of reasons because I felt we were fighting more than Auburn. I'm not going to get into the details of that, but I felt like we were fighting a lot."
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 21, 2021
Franklin said Sean Clifford should have won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Auburn.
"I know I'm biased."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin rattled off a list of games where FBS teams lost to FCS teams.
"We've got to be prepared…I've got a ton of respect for [Villanova]."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin on Villanova: "We've got 1,500 tickets left for this game. It would make a tremendous statement to be able to sell this game out."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin in his opening statement: "I thought we were very resilient during the game for a lot of reasons, which I'll let you guys get into."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
"I hope you guys get to know him…he's been an unbelievable fit in our locker room. He's got lots of personality," Franklin added.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin on Duke transfer DT Derrick Tangelo: "This is where Derrick wanted to come out of high school."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin said he wished he was recruited by Villanova out of Neshaminy but both the Wildcats and Penn State "gave him the stiff arm."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin was asked about an alleged suspension of John Lovett, which a reporter said was announced on the TV broadcast.
"I'm not sure how to even address that because I don't know where that's coming from…we're glad to have John playing."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin on social media: "We've figured out how to mute things and get rid of things on Twitter…early on I used to block people."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin on Ji'Ayir Brown: "His confidence in year two is very different. I'm hoping he's going to have an opportunity to be in a similar situation that Jaquan [Brisker] is in, next year."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin Tyler Warren: "There's been an excitement about Tyler ever since we got him in the recruiting process. His basketball tape was as impressive as there is."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin on the tight ends: "Where we're at as program, we're able to get these guys in here and develop them."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin on Sean Clifford: "This is the same Sean Clifford that I've always expected and anticipated."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin on Twitter: "I was a novice…I didn't understand why blocking people was a problem when muting gets the job done."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin on the entrance tunnel renovations: "We just want to make sure everything we do — we're presenting Penn State in a way that everyone looks at and says 'That's first class.' "
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin said Penn State has made practice "more meaningful" by re-enacting game situations the team has been in before.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
Franklin on RB John Lovett: "We've been excited about him since we got and recruited him…hopefully that role will continue to grow."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 21, 2021
