Penn State head coach Terry Smith Wednesday press conference: Michigan State

The Penn State Nittany Lions football team has a winnable game this weekend against the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday in East Lansing. How is the team rebounding from its latest heartbreaking setback against Indiana? Interim head coach Terry Smith spoke to the media on Wednesday night after open practice. Hear Smith’s complete comments embedded in the video below, or on the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel.

Be sure to follow us on YouTube to hear what Smith had to say about the team each week after games and after practice for the final three-game stretch as the team fights for bowl eligibility. Penn State is 3-6 and needs to win out to qualify for a postseason berth.

Penn State head coach Terry Smith

The backup quarterback situation looks dire. With both Penn State starter Drew Allar and third quarterback Jaxon Smolik out with injuries, the team has been giving receiver Liam Clifford snaps at quarterback during practice for the last few weeks. Smith didn’t commit to Clifford being the backup, citing that freshman Bekkem Kritza is back from injury. 

“You know, Liam is taking snaps at quarterback. Bekkem is back from some health issues, so we have those two guys that we’re just trying to figure out certain packages that can work for both.”

Smith said that getting a functional offense for either backup option is a huge task.

It’s very challenging. They got to know the whole playbook. Otherwise, you know, you guys think we don’t call the right plays. Now we get them guys in the game really can’t call the play. So, you know, we’re just trying to get them up to speed as much as possible, and to expand the playbook to what they could handle.”

Game week coverage continues

Want to know what Blue White Illustrated saw at practice on Wednesday evening? We’ll discuss our thoughts and opinions on the truncated viewing on Wednesday night on the BWI Live Show Thursday morning at 10 a.m. The live show crew will also discuss the latest Penn State recruiting news, including two new flips and several players opening recruitments now that the sport is just three weeks away from the national signing day.

We’ll also give you five things to watch for during Michigan State and Penn State on Saturday as part of our Friday coverage. Then, join us at 12:30 on Saturday afternoon for the Penn State Football Tailgate Show, live from the Legends Pub inside the Penn Stater. We’ll give you 90 minutes of breakdown on the game, the state of the team, and more!