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Following are the highlights of James Franklin's Monday press conference:
Saturday's game: vs. Illinois (7:30 p.m., NBC)
Records: Penn State (3-0), Illinois (4-0)
Odds: Penn State is a 17.5-point favorite.
Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 9 by the Associated Press, and Illinois is ranked No. 19.
Scouting Illini
Illinois has Franklin's full attention.
Though the official White Out game has been designed Nov. 9 vs. Washington, moments after last week's 56-0 win over Kent State, Franklin started appealing for fans to dress in white to help decorate Beaver Stadium.
"They've already had success on the road in a tough environment (Nebraska)," Franklin said. "I think that will give them a lot of confidence. We have to get better this week."
Franklin is 1-1 vs. Bret Bielema.
There was PSU's infamous nine-overtime loss in 2021 at Beaver Stadium, and the Lions defeated Illinois 30-13 in Champaign last season.
The teams did not meet in 2022.
Bielema is known for his tough running style, but the Illini offense is now augmented by quarterback Luke Altmeyer, whom Franklin called "one of the most improved players in college football."
Altmeyer has completed 71.4 percent of his passes (75-of-105) with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions.
"They've mixed up the scheme with tempo ... (but) Bret's background is about being physical," Franklin said.
Illini will have an extra day rest, having won at Nebraska 31-24 in overtime on Friday night.
Defensive tinkering
Defensive coordinator Tom Allen coached the Kent State game from the press box for the first time this year.
Franklin said the transition was discussed after the Lions' 34-27 win over Bowling Green in which the defense got off to a slow start.
A dry run was conducted prior to Kent State on Friday with Allen sending signals to safeties coach Anthony Poindexter and defensive assistant Dan Connor.
"I thought it went well, and I think Tom did, too," Franklin said. "He hadn't been up there for 15 years."
Franklin favors his coordinators in the box -- OC Andy Kotelnicki is, too -- because they can spread out their play sheets, stay focused on the game and be "away from the emotion of the sidelines."
Catching on
Franklin praised his receiving corps after 10 players caught passes for Kent.
"I'm pleased," he said. "They may be the most improved position on the team, and we needed that."
Illinois' secondary is among the better groups in the Big Ten and "this week we'll be challenged," Franklin said.
SUBHD: Injury report
Injuries are mounting for the Lions.
In addition to safety K.J. Winston being out indefinitely (which was confirmed last week), redshirt freshman running back Cam Wallace was carried off the field and carted to the locker room Saturday, and linebacker/defensive captain Dom Deluca did not finish the game, either.
Franklin declined to provide an update, saying discussions are still taking place with the medical staff and the players and their familiar about the injuries.
He said young linebackers Ta'Mere Robinson and Anthony Speca are getting more practice work, adding, "we need to develop depth."
SUBHD: Notable ...
n Bowling Green's strong showing in a 26-20 loss at Texas A&M on Saturday helps change the perception of the Lions' one-touchdown victory over the Falcons, Franklin said. "The Bowling Green game had people concerned, but they went to Texas A&M and had success," Franklin said. "They're a good MAC team."
n Franklin said he's thankful for this week's 7:30 kickoff, in part because some younger players are being counted on and "we need every minute" for preparation.
n Kickoff for the Oct. 5 game with UCLA at Beaver Stadium will be at noon for Fox, it was announced Monday.
(Compiled by Neil Rudel of the Altoona Mirror. He can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.)