Here's what James Franklin said as Penn State prepares for Week 4 showdown vs. Indiana
Remember when Penn State started 0-4 last year? The Nittany Lions have literally flipped the script this time around, taking a perfect 4-0 record into B1G play.
Oh, and they’re the No. 4 team in the country.
Penn State welcomes Indiana to Beaver Stadium this week for its second B1G game of the year. The Hoosiers beat Penn State last year in a thrilling 36-35 overtime game, and Penn State could be out looking for revenge this season.
But if you ask Nittany Lions coach James Franklin, it’s not so much about a “revenge game” as much as it’s about “beating Indiana this Saturday, this season.” He talked about that and more in his weekly press conference as he gets set for the primetime matchup this weekend.
Here’s what he said:
James Franklin mentions the 49ers situation Monday night and giving too much time to Aaron Rodgers (JF was in GB Rodgers' rookie year). It's the fine line btwn needing to score and milking the clock.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) September 28, 2021
Franklin said he wants to see PSU take another step today at practice. Monday is PSU's off day so we'll know more how practice has been Wed. night.
-On the O-line: They've protected better. "I'd like to see us play with a little bit more of an edge."— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) September 28, 2021
James Franklin's weekly news conference starting now. A few notes:
-Gotta get better in the run game, Franklin said.
-PSU recruited TE Peyton Hendershot "heavily"
-"I thought Sunday we had good meetings and practice. That was a real positive for us."— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) September 28, 2021
Franklin on how Indiana matches well with Penn State: "They've improved. That improvement has allowed them to play everybody in a competitive way."
Franklin adds Indiana has improved in its scheme, talent, and overall confidence.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 28, 2021
Franklin isn't interested on discussing Indiana as a "revenge game."
"Our entire focus and energy is on beating Indiana this Saturday, this season."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 28, 2021
Franklin notes he's looking for an amount of aggressiveness from this team that's "right up to the edge that's legal and appropriate."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 28, 2021
Franklin says he'd like for the pass rush to get more pressure and get more sacks.
"It has an effect on the drive. It has an effect on people's ability to score…Overall I think we've been solid."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 28, 2021
Franklin on his offensive line thus far: "Overall, I would say good…I'd like to see us play with a little bit more of an edge, specifically in the run game but really in the pass game as well."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 28, 2021
Franklin: "I thought Sunday we had good meetings and practice…That was a real positive…I'll have a better idea of where we're at after today's practice."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 28, 2021
Franklin on Indiana: "You're talking about a team that returns 22 starters from the previous season, and obviously they've got some momentum going for the program."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 28, 2021
James Franklin is asked about No. 4 Penn State trying to make the jump from great to elite: "I just wanna beat Indiana."
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) September 28, 2021
Franklin on Indiana QB Michael Penix Jr.: "He's a veteran that's played a lot of football for them…That's gonna be a key factor in this game — how well he plays and how consistently we can get to him."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) September 28, 2021
