Penn State's James Franklin holds Indiana news conference

Penn State head coach James Franklin is holding his weekly press conference live from Beaver Stadium as the Nittany Lions prepare for Indiana.
Follow our live updates from his press conference, here:
Live Updates: Penn State head coach James Franklin press conference
(Updating in reverse chronological order. Press conference has ended at 1:06 p.m.)
On Tom Allen as a defensive play caller and what he does: This is one of the first years he’s gone back to doing it, but he’s like a lot of defensive coordinators. It is very important for him to make you one dimensional and stop the run. He’s going to use as many resources as he has to to stop the run, whether that’s in recruiting, in scheme, numbers in the box, slanting or stunting, dropping safeties in the box like Marcus Allen, but there’s a lot of ways to do it and he’s committed to it. When you study the analytics, that comes true over and over again, not only this year but through his career. It shows up on short yardage situations. And then they do some good things with coverage where they have a little more diversity through scheme to try to make up for commitment they’re making to stop the run. Force you into bad decisions through scheme. Just like he has faced through his time coverages present problems, but there are weaknesses too, and you hope the QB sees it the way you do.
On Keyvone Lee and running backs: Keyvone has been hurt, out or limited for five weeks. They’re hopeful to have him back and when they do, they have three experienced, really good backs that can make plays in run and pass game. But those two young kids have complemented each others well. Kaytron can set up blocks, has tremendous vision, can finish runs with power. He’s just a very well rounded running back. Has a high football IQ. Him and Nick are really good complementary pieces. But as you see in college football and what happened with Keyvone, it’s hard to stay healthy. Will be nice where hopefully they have Keyvone back this week.
On lessons gleaned from Olu’s quick development: It helps that he’s 6-6, 315, and smart, strong, and intelligent. What they always do, through recruiting or development with guys they got, guys they lost, you’re always going back and studying best practice of what you did well and can do better. Olu is an example of, when you recruited him and have a list of 25 characteristics, with Olu, he checked most of the boxes. What he’s found over his career is the guys who check a lot of boxes usually do well. Trace McSorley wasn’t 6-3, but he checked pretty much every other box. Guys with high level traits like Olu, your hit rate is a lot higher than some guys with a really elite trait but are lacking in some others, and it’s easy to get caught up in that one trait, fast, big, strong arm, whatever it is, you tend to rationalize and overlook the other things.
On feedback from Mike Yurcich about Drew Allar: Stood there with Joel Klatt before Purdue game and watched five or six throws. He’s a giant human with a quick release that can make all the throws. He has all the arm talent. He has shown to be accurate. He can throw from different launch points and angles. And for a young kid, he’s doing a good job of preparing. The whole room is. Those guys are really working hard and preparing the right way. Probably more than other QB rooms he’s had in the past. They’ve done a good job and Drew has been a big part of that. Sean’s superpower is how he studies the game, understands protections and the run game, and his input in meetings with Mike and young QBs has been valuable. Drew is doing a lot of things really well, but he’s still a true freshman.
On sixth-year players and dynamics: That experience lends itself to having a different level relationship. But would say there are guys based on personality that have been in program two years that he’s very close with. Has other guys that are older that say 12 words and he wishes he was closer with. One of the things they miss about being position coach is, position coaches don’t know the team as well, but you don’t get to know one position or one player on the same level. When it’s your position, you have them over to dinner every Thursday night. You’re dealing with issues and girlfriends broken up. He doesn’t get all of that, so he misses it. But just six years, has more conversations with captains than other positions. It’s a little based on kid and personality. Jerry Cross is very open and engaging. It’s player specific. But the weird place of having guys in programs for six years, that factors in too. Sean came up to him on Sunday and wanted to talk to him on Monday, but they haven’t had that conversation yet.
On what has distinguished Olu as a 19-year old: It’s crazy when you say his age. What he talks to players about is individual basis of playing snaps, or having an NFL opportunity, it’s about consistency. All the guys in that locker room can flash and do special things. But Olu is so consistent. His habits, his maturity, his drive toward being elite in everything that he does. He’s got a chance to be an academic All-American. He has a chance to be the academic Heisman winner, which they’ve had one other in Urschel. And obviously he’s being talked about as a first round draft choice. He has unbelievable play strength. He’s strong in weight room. But his play strength is unbelievable. He can get himself back into winning position against a DE when he’s out of it. But more than anything, it’s about his consistency. You watch the tape and the guy has play after play of protecting QB blind side and finishing blocks. And no drama.
Most people only notice OL when they’re not doing their job. He didn’t take a ton of questions about him until Olu started being talked about as a first round draft choice. He’s just a really good example and model of doing your job at a high level consistently, and people notice that.
On Olu Fashanu health and how he’s handled increased attention: Doesn’t get into specifics and details, so will see how this week goes with him. Per his future, had a productive meeting with Olu and his parents. Got their perspective on things. Showed them how they can be a resource to get them a lot of information to make an educated decision. Just being as supportive as they can be. Has a close relationship with them. So does Coach Trautwein, so does Kevin Threlkel. They seem to be handling it well, but it’s a lot. And the way the rules have changed has made it worse. In the past, you couldn’t talk to an agent, so the majority of agents following the rules followed them. But right now, their phone is ringing off the hook constantly. Those rules were good sometimes in the past because they created a barrier for them.
On challenge of preparing for the future with a QB vs. other positions: At other positions, you do more rotations. You get guys in and out. That’s a fair point. It’s harder to do. That’s why practice reps are so important. And the number of games you can get your backups in the game. Have done that a decent amount this year and would like to keep doing it.
On material value of an 8-win season vs. 11-win season, and balancing prepping for next season: Thinks he has a responsibility to guys in the locker room and coaches to win as many games as they can. And, what you’d like to do at the same time is build and get better for your future. The hope is to do those two things together. They’re not exclusive of one another. There are things that factor in that allow you to prepare for the future a little more. But there is a balance between the two. For him, he has to do what’s best for Penn State to be 1-0 this weekend. And that’s not him making this decision on his own. That’s not just at QB position, but every position so that no one is making decisions in a silo by themselves. No one is determining DT or DE reps on their own. It’s a discussion. You’re trying to factor all those in and the plan is to do both at the same time, which isn’t always ideal, but that’s what you’re trying to do.
On where growth comes from with a game like that: You have to look at it all. The thing that was obvious as a staff, and whether people agree with it or not, Penn State is better than they were two weeks ago. Better than a week ago. Not enough to beat that type of team. Totally recognize that. But when you watch the tape, there is a ton to watch and feel good about and be proud about. But the four to six plays on offense and four to six plays on defense against that type of team are significant. But critiquing it all, they felt as a staff that they got better. But they had critical mistakes and against that type of an opponent, they have a chance to make you pay for it.
On losing key stats vs. how the game went on a snap for snap basis: Isn’t sure what their ranking is right now, but they’re a very, very talented team, and Penn State played tails off and competed really well for 3 1/2 quarters. They were able to make some plays in the game from an opportunity and talent stand point.
Although they made some plays, they were able to limit impact of them. They were able to make plays on batted balls that 9 out of 10 drop to the ground. But defense buckled down in those situations and didn’t give in touchdowns.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
PSU-OSU kick time
Is set
- 2New
Film breakdown
T-Frank on the PSU offense
- 3
Midseason PFF grades
For PSU
- 4
PSU trust issues run deep
Bauer's take
- 5Hot
Hot Board V. 3.0
Fitz' latest intel on search
Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
This is a team, when you look at their earlier games this season, they have had some close ones in first halves but pull away in the second. Penn State has to be able to finish better.
On thoughts on playing two quarterbacks during a game: Considering they’ve already done that this year, doesn’t totally understand the question, but each circumstance is on its own. Whatever gives them the best chance to win this week.
On how Drew Allar has practiced and developed: So many programs don’t let any media coverage. But we have seen them practice. He’s done a nice job in practice. Obviously, there is a lot of excitement about him.
On taking a longer look at Drew Allar the rest of the way now that they’ve lost two conference games: First of all, it’s not a decision he makes on his own. Whenever they’re big decisions, wants to make sure he’s not too close to it. Had a good conversation with Mike Yurcich about it. Talked to Coach Wiz. Danny O’Brien. Manny Diaz. Got everyone’s thoughts.
They’ll continue to evaluate it like always. Understands the questions, but it almost comes off to him when he gets the question as if this game is not really important.
For Penn State, they’re going to look at who gives them the best chance to go 1-0 this week and go from there. Whoever that is, based on practice and prep, they’ll go with.
But again, he’s had good conversations with the staff about it. Making sure they’re all seeing it the same way. But that’s where he struggles is, there is still a ton of football left to be played, and whoever gives them the chance to win a bunch of games this year, for all the guys in the locker room, that’s who they’re going to look at.
Opening statement: Didn’t win the major stats. Turnover battle, penalties, drive start, sack battle and explosive plays. Critical stats didn’t win. Have a hard time being successful when you do that.
Kids played tails off. Played hard, physical and fast for 3 1/2 quarters. Opportunities for growth are winning the fourth quarter. Need to kick field goals and kickoffs more consistently. Can’t expect to win when you turn it over that much.