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Coach Speak with James Franklin

UNIVERSITY PARK – A capsule look at James Franklin’s weekly news conference.

Opponent: No. 2 Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten)

Kickoff: Saturday 8 p.m., Beaver Stadium

TV: ABC

About the Buckeyes: They’re coming off hard-fought 30-23 OT win at Wisconsin, a game they trailed 16-6 at the half. Coach Urban Meyer is an incredible 56-4 in his fifth season at Ohio State and is vying for his second national title with the school and fourth overall. Team averaging 49.3 points, while giving up just 12.8. Second and third quarters have been when Buckeyes have taken control, outscoring opponents 177-40 over those quarters. RB Mike Weber averaging 102 yards rushing, while QB J.T. Barrett averages 72. Passing game hasn’t been great, but it hasn’t needed to be with team averaging 300 yards rushing per game.

Last time vs. Penn State: Buckeyes won at home last year, 38-10, and lead the all-time series, 18-13.

Line: Ohio State is favored by 20, the largest underdog line ever for PSU at home.

Franklin asking fans for extra: It’s a whiteout game at Beaver Stadium, so the atmosphere will be good. But Franklin wants something more. Much, much more. “We’re going to need the stadium to be the most difficult environment in the history of college football come Saturday night,” the coach said. He event went so far as to make a political analogy. “We need everybody in the stadium screaming and hollering,” Franklin said. “It’s no different than the election – every vote matters. And it’s the same way in the stadium – every clap, every yell, every scream matters. It makes a difference. All 107,000 people are going to make a difference on Saturday.”

Starting fast important: If the Lions are to have the kind of atmosphere Franklin wants, they’ll need to get off to a fast start to fire up the fans. Franklin felt the team did that when Ohio State visited in 2014, which the Buckeyes won in double-OT, 31-24. The Lions have had trouble early in games this season, but they did score a TD on their first possession last time out against Maryland.

Comparing apples and oranges: Ohio State is coming off a difficult game in its OT win at Wisconsin, and PSU fans watching that contest might be feeling better about the Lions’ chances since the Badgers played the Buckeyes tough. But Franklin said it’s hard to take much out of that game for his team because the matchups are so different, noting, “Wisconsin is really good on defense. We’ve seen that all season long. They are traditional pro-style, pound-you offense, and then their defense is playing so well that it allows them to play that and not have to drop back and throw the ball and do things like that.” The Badgers ran for 236 yards, so as Franklin pointed out, there wasn’t as much pressure on their passing game. PSU probably won’t have that luxury and will have to rely more on QB Trace McSorley throwing.

Big game or just another game?: There’s no doubt this is a big game, but Franklin once again pointed out how he and the coaching staff don’t put much emphasis on that with the players. “Our approach won’t change,” he said. “(The players) understand how big this game is. They see it all over social media and everything else and walking around town and on campus and from their families and ticket requests and all those things. They get it.”

Good bye: The Lions are coming off a bye week, so they should be fresh, compared to an Ohio State squad coming off a physical battle at Wisconsin. “Coming off the bye week, we’ve had some time to get guys a little bit extra rest,” Franklin said. “Guys were able to go home, see their family, rest up physically, rest up emotionally, rest up mentally, catch up with some academic work, as well, so all those things are important.”

Coach Speak with James Franklin

UNIVERSITY PARK – A capsule look at James Franklin’s weekly news conference.

Opponent: Maryland (4-0)

Kickoff: Saturday noon, Beaver Stadium

TV: BTN

About the Terps: They’ve scored a school-record 173 points through the first four games (43.25 average) and are coming off 50-7 trouncing of Purdue, rushing for 400 yards. Coach D.J. Durkin is in first season as head coach after serving as assistant at stops such as Florida, Michigan and Stanford. Team is averaging 300 yards rushing and rotates between several RBs. QB Perry Hills having solid season, completing 61.6 percent for five TDs and one INT, plus is running threat. Rank in top 15 nationally in scoring offense and scoring defense (14.5 points per game).

Last time vs. Penn State: Lions won in Baltimore last year, 31-30, and have dominated the all-time series, 36-2-1.

Line: Maryland is favored by 1; over/under is 58. Penn State actually opened up as a 3-point favorite Sunday, but in less than 24 hours, the line moved substantially to make the Terps a 1-point favorite.

Deficits not doing in team: One thing this PSU team has shown after falling behind against Pitt and Minnesota is an ability to remain focused and come back. “What I love about our team right now is whether things are going good or whether we’re having challenges or whatever it is, you don’t see the demeanor change,” Franklin said. “There’s emotion, which is natural, but guys are handling that. Their body language is good. Their demeanor is good, and that’s important.”

Pass vs. run: Penn State’s running game has had major issues, while QB Trace McSorley has carried a big share of the load in the passing game. Those two things are related, though, based on what defenses are giving the Lions. “You look at what we are doing offensively, our passing numbers are pretty good, and it’s because of the commitment that people are making to stop the run,” Franklin said. Even with the solid passing numbers, Franklin doesn’t expect defenses to change their game plan. “Until we show that not only can we beat you throwing the ball, but that we are going to win games because of it and it’s going to put you at a disadvantage, I think people are going to keep doing it,” the coach said.

Second guessing: Franklin has made several decisions that have come under scrutiny, typically on fourth-down calls early in games or at the goal line. He’s well aware of the second guessing that takes place in the situations. “When they go well, you’re a genius and everybody’s patting you on the back,” he said. “And when you don’t pick up the fourth-and-1 and you don’t get the two-point conversion, it’s the wrong decision after the fact. I get that.”

Supporting Julius: Kicker Joey Julius revealed Monday that he battled an eating disorder that took him away from the program for a few months. “I’m very, very proud of Joey. I really am, in so many ways,” Franklin said. “I know this is something that probably affects and helps others, to see athletes or someone in Joey’s position like this to make himself vulnerable and put himself out there like that. I think a lot of people can relate with that and I think a lot of people can connect with that.”

Times have changed: Franklin played college football more than 20 years ago and said things are very different now when it comes to athletes’ mental health and the options they have for help. “I think it’s changed dramatically,” he said. “I don’t remember any of those things being available. I don’t remember those things being discussed when I was in college a whole lot. The services that campuses and universities provide now, communities provide, it’s different. And I think that’s good. I think that’s good for everybody.”

Young linemen update: Franklin said true freshmen offensive linemen Michal Menet and Will Fries are developing well and could be used if the team needed to, but added they likely will follow the same path as guard Ryan Bates did last year and redshirt. Menet, Franklin pointed out, is actually playing tight end on the scout team.

Endorsing Davis: Franklin said he believes PK Tyler Davis should have been named Big Ten special teams player of the week after kicking three field goals, forcing overtime with one and setting a PSU record by running his streak to 17 in a row.

– Compiled

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