Live updates: James Franklin postgame press conference - Villanova
Penn State head coach James Franklin is joining reporters from the Beaver Stadium media room following his Nittany Lions’ 52-6 win over Villanova on Saturday afternoon. Follow for live updates from his postgame press conference:
Live updates: James Franklin postgame press conference
(Page does automatically refresh. Updates will appear in reverse chronological order. Press conference has ended at 7:52 p.m.)
FG kicking
09/13/2025 06:52:30 PMYou’d love to score more touchdowns. But these field goals that everyone takes for granted when the guy just runs out there and does it, they’re going to win them a game. That whole unit. A lot of people just focus on the kicker, but it’s snapper, holder, protection. All of it. Proud of them. Riley is another example of an unbelievable teammate who is holding right now. In battle with Gabe and handled things extremely well. Put the team first. That’s an important factor in this game and moving forward.
RB touch disparity
09/13/2025 06:51:00 PMSometimes when the numbers play out that way, it may seem like that, but it’s just who is in the game. It’s not like Andy is looking to see who the RB is in the game. They just call the game because they’re confident in them. Unless they’re constantly tracking that, sometimes those numbers get out of whack. But that wasn’t a plan. Just how those drives played out.
King Mack
09/13/2025 06:49:55 PMDidn’t win that job in preseason camp. ABS had a great camp. But they weren’t playing as fast as they need to defensively. Give King a lot of credit. A lot of times when that happens, they go in the tank, and he was the total opposite. Lived in the building. Huge smile on his face. Attacked special teams and worked his way back into it. Played well today and helped them run the defense and play with more confidence. Still a step he can take and they can take. But proud of how he handled it.
Rhythm on two minute drills
09/13/2025 06:48:24 PMIt’s about third downs. But really have been pretty good in two minute over the years. Smaller menu of plays that they rep every week against their defense. One of the things they need to look at of normal down efficiency and when they go no huddle. Need to make decisions based on that. Got outside zone going a little today, which was helpful. But smaller menu and going fast and work against their defense has a ton of value.
Drew Allar
09/13/2025 06:47:10 PMHad a missed assignment on the interception, but can’t turn one mistake into two. His TD to INT ratio is among the best in Penn State history. But he needs to get comfortable and third down is a big part of it. Not in rhythm they’re capable of being in. Knew they would get what they got today, which is drop eight. Got good protection, but you gotta find windows and lanes. They played significantly more four downs today than they’ve ever shown on tape. Just gotta get in a rhythm on offense and Drew as well.
Big picture perspective
09/13/2025 06:45:34 PMDefensively weren’t playing as confidently or quickly as needed. Special teams have been really good in all three games. Still some things to improve on. And then offensively just inconsistent. Gotta improve on third down. Then need to be more explosive overall. Won explosive play battle today. And met mark of 15 percent. But still a lot more room for growth in that area. They’re 3-0. Would love to be further ahead, playing dominant in all three phases. But they know what they have to improve, have plenty of film, and this bye week important with a real challenge the following week.
Opening statement
09/13/2025 06:37:58 PM
2005 team here today. Having AZ on this staff is really cool. And the crowd was great today. Appreciate the support they’ve gotten to this point.
The one turnover drives him crazy because it wasn’t as clean as he’d like and they make it harder than it needs to be, they’re playing winning football. Missed assignment on that one and one mistake turned into two. Won the key game battles. All those things are positives they have to build on.
The defense took a significant step this week. More confidence, command, control, especially from safeties and linebackers running the show.
Ryan Barker consistent all year.
Nick Singleton with two rushing TDs now third all-time for rushing touchdowns at Penn State. Happy to see Joey Schlaffer score a touchdown. And the Jahmir Joseph INT was as bigtime as it gets.
A lot of positives to build on. This bye week is really important. Not an off week by any means. Will practice tomorrow night to get into Beaver Stadium. New lights and haven’t been in the stadium with all that lighting up. Practice again Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and then into traditional game week next Sunday. Won’t have to make corrections next Sunday, so will be a little ahead. But need to get better with tremendous challenge and opportunity ahead of them.