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Following are the highlights of James Franklin's Tuesday press conference:
Saturday's game: at Maryland (3:30, Fox)
Records: Penn State is 7-1 following last week's 33-24 win over Indiana. Maryland is 5-3. After opening the season with five straight wins, the Terps have lost three in a row, including last week's 33-27 setback at Northwestern.
Odds: Penn State is an 11.5-point favorite.
Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 9 by the Associated Press.
Maryland roots
Franklin has deep roots at Maryland, having spent eight seasons in two separate stints with the Terrapins (2000-04, 2008-10).
He called his first stop "my first big break" and said he has "great respect" for the school and its athletic department.
At one point, he was Maryland's head-coach-in-waiting but that didn't pan out, and he took Vanderbilt's head coaching job in 2011.
He also coached on the Terps' staff with current Maryland head man Mike Locksley from 2000-02.
In addition, Maryland offensive coordinator Josh Gattis spent six years with Franklin, three at Vanderbilt and three at Penn State.
Gattis left for Alabama and then spent three seasons at Michigan before landing in College Park.
"We know them, and they know us," Franklin said.
Indiana review
Penn State didn't score many style points in surviving last week's game against Indiana, a 31-point underdog.
Franklin said corrections were made on Sunday.
That said, he noted that three teams in last week's Top 17 (Oklahoma, Oregon State, North Carolina) were beaten by unranked opponents.
"We're not going to make excuses for winning," he said. "But (even) after wins, it's important to be transparent and honest."
Defensive breakdowns
Franklin said of the three touchdown passes the Lions gave up to IU, one came on a blown coverage.
The other two were the product of man-to-man defense that Manny Diaz is employing.
"There's enough evidence on who we are on defense and especially our pass defense," he said. "As much man-to-man as we're playing, they're going to get you once in a while."
Non-running QB
Franklin was asked about Drew Allar's development compared with some PSU QBs in the past.
Allar is more of a pocket passer and much less apt to run than either of his predecessors, Sean Clifford and Trace McSorley.
Mobility, he said, "changes the way people defend you" and makes them "less bold."
He also said "we have to do a better job making plays for Drew."
Notable …
n Monday night is weekly family night as families join the team for training table. Franklin said staff members' children came early and also enjoyed trick-or-treating and going office to office for Halloween candy.
n Franklin did not clarify the injury status of wide receiver Trey Wallace (shoulder), which means he has a chance to return this season. He expects OT Drew Shelton, who subbed for Caeden Wallace to play again this week, though Wallace is available.
n There was no update on DE Chop Robinson (concussion), who was hurt at Ohio State.
n Franklin declined to assess the work of offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, saying he doesn't think public "midseason evaluations" of staff members is the right thing to do.
n The developmental squad's special teams player of the week was Finn Furmanek, a State College product.
n The weekly press conference, effective next week, is moving to Mondays in part to shift the narrative more quickly from the previous week's game. Franklin noted the desire to do so after fielding so many questions about Ohio State on the following Tuesday (and short Wednesday availability).
Compiled by Neil Rudel of the Altoona Mirror. He can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.