Following are the highlights of James Franklin’s Tuesday press conference:
Saturday’s game: at Michigan (noon, Fox)
Records: Penn State is 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten. Michigan is 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten.
Last week: Michigan won at Indiana 31-10, pulling away in the second half. Penn State was idle after beating Northwestern 17-7 on Oct. 1.
Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 10 by the Associated Press, which ranks Michigan No. 5.
Main storyline: It’s a big-game week. Franklin admitted there’s a buzz in the air as the Lions face a season-shaper at the Big House. “This is why you come to a place like Penn State — to play in these kinds of games,” he said, adding he has “a ton of respect for Michigan and how they’re doing it and their venue.” Michigan Stadium holds 107,601 and is the nation’s largest stadium. Beaver Stadium is second at 106,527. Franklin is 2-13 against top-10 ranked teams, 3-5 against Michigan and 1-3 in Ann Arbor. “We know these types of games each year are critical,” he said. “But if you put all your eggs in one basket, then you don’t get yourself to this position.” He came off optimistic Tuesday, maybe more so than in past years. Franklin often talks about competing with the upper echelon and not just on the field. “You’re trying to make the other 364 days a year add up,” he said. “And that’s where I’m pretty excited. Pat (knew AD Kraft) has been really good at recognizing those things without me having to say anything.” Franklin also mentioned the cooperation he’s feeling from new PSU president, Neeli Bendaputi, and the chairman of the board, Matt Schuyler. “Alignment,” he said, “is critical.” Bendapudi and Kraft are in their first football seasons at Penn State. Though he didn’t name them, Franklin mentioned some of the veteran coaches that have been added to the staff as analysts — part of PSU’s added commitment — such as Ken Whisenhunt, Danny Rocco and Frank Leonard. Still, he knows he’ll be further measured not by staff and facilities but by Saturday’s result. “At the end of the day — to be 5-0 and have a top 10 matchup, on the road, we have to do everything we can to put ourselves in the best position to be successful,” he said. “We’ll have to execute at a high level.”
Michigan on target: Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy has completed 94 of 120 passes for 1,152 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception. His 78 percent completion rate leads the nation. “They do a great job on first down and staying on schedule,” Franklin said. Blake Corum is UM’s top rusher with 775 yards, and Franklin said the Wolverines’ offensive line has been considered one of the nation’s best for the last two years.
Prayers for Hart: Franklin opened his presser by sending thoughts to Michigan assistant Mike Hart, who collapsed on the sideline after suffering a seizure in the first quarter of last week’s game at Indiana. Hart, a former Wolverine running back and Indiana assistant, “is Big Ten through and through,” Franklin said, adding he’s known Hart for years.“Hopefully, he’ll be healthy enough to be part of the game Saturday,” he said. Hart, 36, spent Saturday night at a hospital in Bloomington but returned to Ann Arbor on Sunday.
Road tested: Franklin has complained about opening Big Ten play on the road so frequently – 12 of the last 13 years – and did not appreciate Sandy Barbour scheduling the home-and-home with Auburn. But the Lions won both those games – coming back late to beat Purdue and crushing War Eagle – and Franklin was asked if those experiences would benefit the team this weekend. “It helps, obviously,” he said. “We’ve been on the road before in tough environments. The experience matters and the understanding what it takes to win on the road. But at the end of the day, all that matters is what we do Saturday. We can’t take any of the points or any of the interceptions (of previous games). We can take the experience.”
Quick hitters … Franklin said he’s “hopeful” that WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who was injured against Northwestern, would be available. .. Five of Michigan’s six games this season have kicked off at noon, including the last four. PSU has had two noon kicks (not counting Saturday). … UM leads the all-time series, 15-10. The teams never met prior to Penn State joining the Big Ten.
(Compiled by Neil Rudel of the Altoona Mirror. He can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.)
Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
JOHNSTOWN — Central Cambria coach Don Fyfe gained the reputation as a pass-heavy play caller during his final few ...
ANN ARBOR, Michigan – Penn State’s stay in the 2022 unbeaten ranks was body-slammed here Saturday ...
By Todd Irwin sports@altoonamirror.com HOUTZDALE — It was almost a month ago at CNB Bank Stadium that a ...
By Andy Elder For the Mirror SPRING MILLS — Penns Valley rallied from a 21-7 fourth-quarter deficit, scoring ...
By Ron Musselman For The Mirror HOLLIDAYSBURG — Hollidaysburg led three different times Friday night, but the ...
From Mirror reports SAXTON — Both Claysburg-Kimmel and Tussey Mountain came into Friday night’s matchup ...
Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Copyright © Altoona Mirror | https://www.altoonamirror.com | 301 Cayuga Ave., Altoona, PA 16602 | 814-946-7411