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Following are the highlights of James Franklin's Monday press conference:
Saturday's game: vs Bowling Green (noon, Big Ten Network)
Records: Both teams are 1-0.
Odds: Penn State is a 32-point favorite.
Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 8 by the Associated Press.
Not too high
Franklin called the Nittany Lions' 34-12 win over West Virginia "a small snapshot" of the team so far and wants it to be a stepping stone.
"We have to refine each week and then get better," he said. "I want to be careful we don't jump to too many conclusions after one game."
He wants the Lions to improve their third-down defense (WVU converted a couple early to sustain drives), feature better ball distribution on offense and cut down on their (eight) penalties.
He also said he thinks the Lions "can kick better," citing punts, kickoffs and the one field-goal attempt they missed.
Scouting Bowling Green
The Falcons handled Fordham, 41-17, on Thursday, Aug. 29 and come in 1-0.
Bowling Green finished 7-6 last year (third in the MAC). One of its wins came at Georgia Tech.
The Falcons won five of their last seven and lost to Minnesota, 30-24, in the Quick Lane Bowl.
Their quarterback, Connor Bazelak, is at his third school, having previously played at Missouri and Indiana.
Bazelak has 48 career touchdown passes and completed 15-of-22 for 168 yards against Fordham.
Bowling Green coach Scott Loeffler is 21-35 in his sixth season at Bowling Green. He was once Michigan's quarterbacks coach.
Call of defense
Perhaps lost in the passing game and offensive balance the Lions showed at West Virginia was the play of their defense.
Franklin praised the unit and said it was "not only better than last year (vs. WVU) but better on the road."
He said the Mountaineers have a strong running game that the Lions kept in check and believes West Virginia's offense "is going to give a lot of people problems."
No applause needed
Penn State's one turnover at WVU, a lost fumble, came when West Virginia got away with interfering with the Lions' snap count, which is illegal but wasn't called.
Drew Allar protested vehemently to the officials.
Franklin said the tape shows "it's pretty obvious you can see the guy clapping."
Praiseworthy
n Though he didn't catch a pass, wide receiver Julian Fleming played well, Franklin said, saying the Ohio State transfer blocked well and ran good routes. He said two of the Lions' touchdowns were the result of Fleming clearing passing lanes.
n Abdul Carter "was disruptive" in his first game at defensive end, Franklin said, adding one tackle on the stat sheet didn't tell the whole story. He did say Carter needs to eliminate pre- and post-snap penalties and that he had a discussion with him about it on Sunday.
n DE Smith Vilbert made a sack in his first extended time since the 2022 Outback Bowl. Franklin called the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Vilbert "a mature football player" who has a chance to make his mark nationally this season.
n Anthony Donkah, despite two false-start penalties, played well at right tackle but Franklin hopes to get Nolan Rucci more time this week.
n Franklin ideally wanted to give Sander Sahaydak a shorter field-goal attempt to build confidence - he missed his only shot from 46 yards in the fourth quarter - but added, "We have a ton of confidence in him and think he'll make the next one."
Notable …
n Lion safety Kevin Winston, who made 12 tackles vs. WVU, was named the Big Ten's defensive player of the week.
n Following this week vs. Bowling Green, the Lions are off until Sept. 21 vs. Kent State. Kickoff time and TV have not yet been announced for that game.
Compiled by Neil Rudel of the Altoona Mirror. He can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.