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Following are the highlights of James Franklin's Tuesday press conference:
Saturday's game: vs. WVU, 7:30 p.m., NBC)
Odds: Penn State is a 20.5-point favorite.
Records: Season opener for both teams.
Last year: Penn State finished 11-2 and ranked No. 7 by the Associated Press. West Virginia went 5-7 but won two of its last three, beating Oklahoma and winning its season finale at Oklahoma State.
Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 7 by AP.
Main storyline: Franklin knows his starting quarterback (Drew Allar) but is not confirming it publicly because "I don't necessarily see the value in it (announcement)." He didn't act like the decision hasn't been made, saying the coaching staff "has a good idea of who we're starting at pretty much every position" and that has been communicated internally. He said projected backup Beau Pribula and true freshman Jaxon Smolik provided "good competition." He praised all three of his quarterbacks but also said Allar did not throw an interception until his 13th practice, saying his "decision making has been good." Franklin said he wants to "have enough in the system to play to all three of their strengths."
View from above: For the first time in his three seasons, offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich will call the game from the press box. It was Yurcich's idea, and Franklin -- a former OC himself at Maryland -- wholeheartedly endorsed it. "It's probably one of the things I'm most excited about," he said. "There's no better place to call the game, and it's not even close." One of the reasons the transition is being made is the confidence both Yurcich and Franklin have in offensive assistant Danny O'Brien, who will be on the field and communicating with Yurcich. O'Brien, in his third year on the staff, is a former QB in the Canadian Football League who played for Franklin at Maryland.
Academic concerns: It was reported last week that Penn State's APR (Academic Progress Rate) sunk to 914 (out of 1000) in 2021-22. The mark was the lowest in the Big Ten and second-lowest over a four-year span. Franklin addressed it. "Everyone knows how important academics are to Penn State athletics as a whole and the football program, both present day and historically," he said. He said "energy and resources" are being invested to "get it back" to a level the school is accustomed. He said PSU had a perfect score prior to Covid. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the men's basketball scored 884 for 2021-22. The NCAA plans to implement penalties for schools that fall below the 930 threshold, effective in 2024.
Notable … Franklin said WVU head coach Neal Brown "is calling the (offensive) plays this year, which is his background." … Brown has not announced a starting quarterback, either, but Franklin said he expects it to be Garrett Greene, who is also a running threat. … WVU led the Big 12 in fourth-down conversion rate (68%) last year, a tipoff of strategy on Saturday. … Franklin has not yet named starting specialists, but transfer punter Riley Thompson was pictured prominently in this week's press notes. He's been competing with Alex Bacchetta. The placekicker will be Alex Felkins or Sander Sahaydek. … Four true freshmen are targeted for playing time so far. They are linebacker Tony Rojas, corners Elliot Washington and Zion Tracy and safety King Mack. … Penn State has held several night practices to get used to the lights and sun, Franklin said. … Honorary captains Saturday are longtime ex-PSU assistant coach Tom Bradley and Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Allen Robinson.
-- Compiled by Neil Rudel of the Altoona Mirror