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Newsstand: Penn State head coach James Franklin rips Notre Dame football independence

IMG_7504by: Jack Soble07/25/25jacksoble56

Penn State head coach James Franklin criticized Notre Dame’s independent status, again, on Thursday at Big Ten Media Days.

Franklin drew backlash at his joint press conference with Irish head coach Marcus Freeman in January at the Orange Bowl for expressing his belief that every college football team should join a conference. During his press conference Thursday in Las Vegas, he doubled down.

“Everybody should be in a conference,” Franklin said. “I said that last year at a press conference last year before playing Notre Dame, and everybody thought I was slighting Notre Dame. I’ve been saying that for 10 years! If I didn’t say it in that moment when I was asked the question, I’d be a hypocrite.”

The Irish beat Franklin’s Nittany Lions 27-24 in the 2024 Orange Bowl, earning the right to advance to the national title game.

Notre Dame Tweets of the day

Less than one week until fall camp begins in South Bend.

Blue-chip quarterback commitment for the Irish.

Blue & Gold analyst Tim Hyde is thrilled with Teddy Jarrard‘s pledge.

Quote of the day

“I chose Notre Dame because of the culture there. Coach [Marcus] Freeman has built a great program there over the years, and it’s something special that I want to be a part of. Also, Coach Gino [Guidugli] has been great to me. He develops quarterbacks in a great way.”

— Jarrad to On3’s Chad Simmons on committing to the Irish

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