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Following are the highlights of James Franklin's Monday press conference:
Saturday's game: at Minnesota (3:30 p.m., CBS)
Records: Penn State (9-1 overall, 6-1 in the Big Ten), Minnesota (6-4 overall, 4-3 in the Big Ten).
Odds: Penn State is a 12.5-point favorite.
Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 4 by the Associated Press. Minnesota is unranked.
Series: Penn State leads, 10-6, and won the last meeting, 45-17, in 2022 at Beaver Stadium.
Scouting Minnesota
The Gophers lead the Big Ten with 16 interceptions on defense and are one of the nation's best at securing turnovers with 20 overall.
Franklin compared Minnesota to Iowa in that, "They have one of the better defenses in the Big Ten. They're going to make you earn it."
He admires Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck, who visited Vanderbilt's facilities when Franklin was there along with coming to Penn State for a comfab after Franklin was hired in 2014.
"I've known P.J. for a long time," Franklin said. "He's done a really good job."
Fleck, who played wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers for two seasons, also learned as an assistant under Greg Schiano at Rutgers.
"They're really good not only at creating turnovers but also protecting the football," Franklin said. "That's P.J., and his background with Coach Schiano."
Minny ranks fifth in the Big Ten in total defense, allowing 17.7 per game. Penn State is second at 13.6.
"I think a lot of the well-coached teams understand, before you can learn to win, you've got to learn how not to lose, and you put the game in jeopardy by playing sloppy football and turning the ball over and giving up big plays," Franklin said. "He (Fleck) has done a really good job of (avoiding) that."
Fleck is 56-38 in his eighth year at Minnesota -- including 5-0 in bowl games. His best season was in 2019 when the Gophers finished 11-2, tied for first place in the Big Ten West, and dumped Penn State (in Minneapolis) from the unbeaten ranks.
Franklin is not drawing a correlation from that game as a teaching moment.
"No, (that was) a long time ago, different team, a lot of different coaches," he said. "But obviously we understand what the environment will be like. We've got to understand what the stadium will be like, weather that time of year. But different players, a lot of different coaches in both organizations."
The Gophers were idle last week.
Tight end U
Franklin appreciated a question about the Lions' tight ends, fueled by Tyler Warren's historic season. Warren tied the PSU career mark for most touchdowns by a tight end (16), which is shared with Pat Freiermuth, last week.
Along with Freiermuth, the Lions can boast NFL alumni Mike Gesicki, Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson.
"There's no program in the country that is doing what we're doing with tight ends now, and really over the last 10 years," Franklin said. "(TE coach) Ty Howle has come into that position as a Penn State letterman, and I think has taken it to a whole other level."
Stock on rise
Abdul Carter is emerging as a top defensive end and is projected as a high-round NFL draft pick should he come out after this year.
Carter has cut down jumping offside, which was a problem early in the season as he transitioned from linebacker to DE.
Franklin is pleased with his demeanor as well.
"He's been great," he said. "His attitude's been great. He is coachable. He is becoming more and more of a leader every single day. The guy is playing with phenomenal motor — whether it's sacks, tackles for loss, (getting) holding calls."
Grunk on hold
Third-team QB Ethan Grunkemeyer warmed up late in the game at Purdue but didn't get a series. It would have been his first varsity action.
"That's always the fine line," Franklin said. "(Backup) Beau (Pribula) needs and deserves as many reps that he can get. He's been an unbelievable teammate and a huge part of our system. Like I've said to you before, whether it's practice or games, if you're trying to get three guys ready, a lot of times you end up getting no one ready."
Franklin said Grunkemeyer gets the majority of his preparation during Sunday practices that feature the younger players and backups.
Notable ...
n Franklin was pleased that the Lions have cut down their penalties. They were flagged three times at Purdue.
n Franklin on Warren's old school mentality: "I think Tyler still has a rotary house phone."
n Kickoff for the Nov. 30 regular-season finale against Maryland at Beaver Stadium will be 3:30 p.m. Big Ten Network will televise.
(Compiled by Neil Rudel of the Altoona Mirror. He can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.)