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Following are the highlights of James Franklin's Tuesday press conference:
Saturday's game: vs. Maryland (3:30 p.m., Fox)
Records: Penn State is 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten. Maryland is 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten.
Last week: Penn State won at Indiana 45-14; Maryland lost at Wisconsin 23-10.
Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 14 by the Associated Press. Maryland is not ranked.
Main storyline
Though the Lions have lost their two highest-profile games of the season (Michigan, Ohio State) and don't have a win over a Top-25 team, they're still in the picture for a New Year's Six Bowl if they can finish 10-2.
Franklin was asked about lacking a signature win.
"It's interesting because you have some teams and programs that haven't been consistent but have big-time wins. And others that have been consistent but no big-time wins. And you want both. Consistency is hard to do. Signature wins are hard to do. The best programs are able to do both."
The Lions finish with Maryland, at Rutgers and home with Michigan State. The Terps have improved -- they only lost by a touchdown at Michigan -- while Rutgers and the Spartans are in the midst of losing seasons.
"Most important, (we) have to be 1-0 this week, or people will complain about the other part of it," Franklin said. "Hopefully at the end of the season, if we're where we need to be, we'll have put ourselves in the best position to go into a bowl and next season."
Offensive line injuries
Franklin confirmed that guard Landon Tengwall, who injured his shoulder at Michigan and has missed the last four games, has had surgery and is out for the year.
He's been replaced by Cornell transfer Hunter Nourzad.
Starting left tackle Olu Fashanu did not make the trip to Indiana last week and is questionable. Franklin said he's "hopeful" right tackle Caeden Wallace can return this week.
Meanwhile, the juggle of younger players on the O-line such as Drew Shelton and J.B. Nelson continues just in case. Franklin credited offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, saying his work "has been understated by me."
Upperclassmen often confirm their intentions around bowl time, but Nourzad did it Tuesday, saying he plans to return for another season.
"He has high expectations of what he can do and what we can do," Franklin said.
Scouting Maryland
Two of the standouts in the Terps' 2020 rout of the Lions at Beaver Stadium are still around -- quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and speedy receiver Rakim Jarrett.
Jarrett caught touchdown passes of 42 and 62 yards in the first quarter as Maryland raced to a 35-7 lead and winning 35-19. Franklin said Jarrett was a "highly recruited" athlete and Tagovailoa "has been there a long time."
He praised the job head coach Mike Locksley has done. In the early 2000s, the two were on the Maryland staff for several years "Mike's done a great job improving their roster," Franklin said.
Backup to the backup
Christian Veilleux initially entered the season as the projected backup to Sean Clifford but was quickly displaced by Drew Allar.
Franklin praised how well Veilleux has handled his status, calling him "phenomenal."
"That whole quarterback room has been great," he said. "Those are tough conversations and tough decisions that have to be made." Franklin said Veilleux and freshman Beau Pribula have alternated with the scout team.
Specifically on Veilleux, Franklin left the door open to a transfer due to the nature of the position and limited opportunities beyond the starter.
"We'll see how it all plays out," he said. "I hope he stays at Penn State and continues to chase his dream." Franklin added: "Part of my heart breaks that we have to have these conversations" on future plans.
Election Day
Franklin said he planned to vote after Tuesday's press conference and added that he and the staff "promoted" the importance to the squad for the last few weeks "whatever your (political) beliefs are."
"People have lost their lives and made tremendous sacrifices for you to have the right (to vote)," he said.
Notable ...
n Franklin praised the Lions' sudden-change defense, which forced a punt off a possession that started deep in PSU territory Saturday after a Clifford interception. He said seven of 10 such situations following turnovers this year have resulted in zero points.
n In addition to the other injured players, Franklin said running back Keyvone Lee is "hopeful" for Saturday.
n Franklin sometimes opens the press conference by listing the team's players of the weeks, more so after wins. Last week's were Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton (offense), the defensive line and Jake Pinegar (special teams).
Compiled by Neil Rudel of the Altoona Mirror. He can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.