Ahead of Penn State’s final nonconference game of the season against Villanova, head coach James Franklin met with the media on Monday to discuss his evaluations from the last game against Florida International and his outlook for Saturday.
Franklin addressed areas for improvement on both sides of the ball, and discussed a rising star in his tight end room.
Defensive diagnosis
While he expressed overall satisfaction with the performance of Penn State’s defense through two games, Franklin noted areas for improvement, reiterating that he felt the team played slow in wins over Nevada and Florida International while adjusting to defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ scheme.
“It’s about points, right? And obviously our first two games, it’s been pretty impressive in terms of points and the number of guys that we’ve been able to play,” Franklin said. “But I do think we could be more of a suffocating style of defense. We’ve given up some yards that I think Jim would prefer, obviously, us being a little bit tighter reacting.”
The unit has surrendered just 11 points, including a shutout against the Panthers, but it’s also allowed chunk plays and has produced a plethora of missed assignments.
Franklin said the linebackers and safeties had the biggest adjustment, as their roles have changed significantly under Knowles. Specific adjustments include more zone coverage, which requires better communication, and more “traditional” responsibilities for linebackers.
“We still have a little bit of that in the system,” Franklin said. “So it’s just, it’s a different, it’s a different way of playing. So there’s some, there’s some growth that’s going on there.”
Offensive overthinking
Offensively, Franklin attributed many of the struggles against the Panthers to mental errors. Quarterback Drew Allar finished just 3-for-7 for 26 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter, with a slightly improved 9-for-14 for 71 yards in the second frame.
“I think a couple times that happened where Drew missed a really easy throw that he makes 99.9% of the time, and that frustrates you, and that if you’re not careful, that will linger,” Franklin said. “So I thought that happened early in the game. I think he got frustrated with himself a few times, and it lingered.”
Allar finished with a respectable 19-for-33 completion rate for 200 yards and two touchdowns, but it was far below expectations given the level of competition and a step back from his season opener stat line.
Running back Nick Singleton, who also posted an uncharacteristic performance, was in the same boat, according to Franklin. The senior running back finished with 13 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown, but the film shows a lot of unclaimed potential yardage.
“I think he was thinking too much, and I think he’s getting coached in some areas that I think are going to be important for his growth, and I see him getting better,” Franklin said.
Franklin expressed that sentiment in a lengthy talk with Singleton, running backs coach Stan Drayton and assistant coach Charles Walker on Sunday, he said. He feels Singleton will be “in a good place” moving forward.
Reynolds’ rise
Tight end Luke Reynolds led the team in targets and receptions on Saturday, hauling in seven balls — more than double his previous high — for a career-high 58 yards and helping snap the offense awake in the second half.
Despite Khalil Dinkins being the team’s official starter, Reynolds impressed in his most extensive action as a Nittany Lion, even surpassing Dinkins in snap count (41-38) by the end of the game. Franklin said one of Reynolds’ special traits is his ability to generate yards after the catch, speaking to his ability to evade tackles with a large 6-foot-4, 250 pounds frame.
“I think there’s a ton of confidence in him making the tough catch on a consistent basis,” Franklin said. “I think [wide receiver Kyron] Hudson has got that reputation as well. And we need more of that.”
