Penn State Football: James Franklin Press Conference Updates

Penn State is 4-0 on the year and will face Northwestern this weekend in the second game of the Big Ten slate for the Nittany Lions. This weekend is Homecoming for the Penn State faithful and should be a packed house for the Noon kick.

Follow along here for live bullet point notes from James Franklin’s press conference.

• James Franklin happy with the lack of penalties. Says they have been drive killers.

• Franklin hoping to work more on footwork team-wide. 

• Franklin wants to see the DBs challenge routes more frequently because he feels they can run and make plays in that area.

• Mangiro, Wartman, and Ficken with in-house player of the week awards.

• Franklin says that guys like Baney and DJ Crook getting to play is what it’s all about. Says it means a lot to get players in their walk-on position on the field for substantial time. Mentions it from an emotional aspect rather than strictly football.

• Franklin says that Northwestern runs a no huddle system that requires a lot of communication. Hopes fans will make things hard for that to happen effectively.

• Franklin says that Hackenberg has shouldered a lot of the offense this season but hopes that won’t be the case as the running game gets going. Won’t evaluate Hackenberg on any single game but rather an overall performance.

• Who is the guy who can wreck the game? Something Franklin is looking for as he watches tape of opposing teams. Says that conversely that it has to do with how well the rest of the team plays. For example Anthony Zettel plays better because Austin Johnson plays strongly as well.

• Franklin says they don’t overthink the running backs. Each player gets a series to see how they’re doing. Franklin mentions that there are plays tagged for a specific back based on their specific skills.

• Franklin says that when the run game is working it not only helps Hackenberg but helps the play caller. “Doubles the playbook.” Keeps Hackenberg from feeling like he has to make every throw. Franklin doesn’t want people to consider Hack a dual-threat quarterback but wants him to be able to gain 5-6 yards when they are there to be gained.

• Franklin doesn’t think that Penn State has sacrificed the use of tight ends in order to help in the running game.

• Staff happy with how Nyeem Wartman is progressing as a player. “Maturing at a high rate.”

• Franklin doesn’t think having played Northwestern while at Vanderbilt makes a big difference but says that any familiarity you have with a team is a positive.

• Franklin says “I love everything about him” when asked about Von Walker. Says that he plays with so much passion and energy you always have to make sure he is disciplined.

• No. 1 you have to catch the ball. Franklin on the value of a kick return man. Basically says that the rest is secondary.

• Franklin is focused on Northwestern, Northwestern, Northwestern.