Penn State coach James Franklin addresses players who were on first availability report of the year

Penn State listed 12 players as out and two as questionable on its Big Ten mandated availability report before its season-opening 38-15 win over West Virginia. Receiver Tyler Johnson, defensive end Amin Vanover, cornerback Daequan Hardy, running back DK Kency, safety Jashaun Green, defensive end Mason Robinson, defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr., offensive lineman Ian Harvie, offensive tackle Landon Tengwall, offensive lineman Jim Fitzgerald, defensive end Smith Vilbert, and defensive tackle Coziah Izzard are OUT. Receiver Omari Evans and quarterback Karson Kiesewetter are questionable.

Head coach James Franklin said none of the players listed on the availability report are out for the season. But, he did not go into specifics about which of them may return to action this week when the Lions host Delaware at Noon ET on Peacock. Another availability report will be released at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

The leader of the Lions was also asked to specifically discuss the play of second-year Penn State cornerback Cam Miller with starting nickel/slot corner Daequan Hardy sidelined.

“Cam Miller, obviously, his role will continue to grow,” Franklin said. “Johnny Dixon, we didn’t play a whole lot of nickel last week, but if we do, Johnny will be in that role. Cam is showing up a lot of different ways and is going to continue to grow. He’s a lot like a lot of giys we’ve had in the past, where every single day, this guy practices, meets, and prepares like it’s the Super Bowl.”

Miller played 33 snaps. He recorded four tackles.

Penn State focused on improvement ahead of game two

Franklin was pleased with how his team played against the Mountaineers. But, he knows there is room for improvement. The 10th-year head coach wants more consistency in his kicking game, more disruption from his defense in terms of trying to create turnovers, and more efficiency on third down when on offense. All of those items, and many more, will be in focus when the Blue Hens visit on Saturday. A point spread is not yet available.

“The first couple of weeks of the season you can and need to make significant strides,” Franklin said. “That’s what the best programs do. The best programs improve and learn and make corrections after wins. They don’t have to have setbacks and wake-up calls to be able to do it. Easier said than done.”

Visit our live updates blog to see more of Franklin’s comments from Tuesday’s news conference.