Penn State coach James Franklin met with reporters for his ultimate Monday information convention of November on Monday. He did so earlier than his staff takes on Michigan State on Friday. As is at all times the case, he began his time within the Beaver Stadium media room with a gap assertion.
“Simply type of going again by means of Rutgers, received the turnover battle, received the explosive play battle, received the third down battle, received the sack battle, received the drive begin battle, received the penalty battle, so all these had been positives,” Franklin mentioned. “One of many huge positives for the offense, the offense met their explosive play battle and their third down battle, and we solely had one missed task in the course of the recreation. Once more, Ty and Ja’Juan and the employees and gamers did a very good job.
“Speaking about gamers of the sport, offense, Beau Pribula; protection, Chop Robinson; particular groups, Alex Felkins and Riley Thompson. After which D-squad gamers of the week being Addison Penn, Jack Lambert, Lamont Payne, Kaleb Artis, and Jace Tutty. Recognize all these guys and their exhausting work.
“Just a few previous couple of positives. Performed actually good complementary soccer. We emphasised crucial stats versus Rutgers this week. Turnover margin, area place battle in the case of particular groups, after which the road of scrimmage battle in the case of speeding, who rushed for probably the most yards in that recreation, and we had been in a position to actually achieve success in all three of these stats. After which I assumed our specialists are taking part in at a very excessive degree. Our punter, Thompson, 52 yard common; our kicker Felkins, two for 2 on area targets and three for 3 on additional factors, and likewise two contact backs. After which Tyler Duzansky doing his job. All positives.
“Michigan State, received a ton of respect for Harlan Barnett as a person and as a coach. He’s very well considered throughout the convention from all of the coaches. Has been there for some time. Clearly a Michigan State man. Type of stepping into their employees and what they do, Jay Johnson, offensive coordinator, his fourth 12 months at Michigan State. They’re a diffusion staff; west coast based mostly; 11 personnel; huge number of runs that focus on zone schemes. They’re an 11 personnel staff the vast majority of the time. They’ll combine in slightly little bit of 12 personnel.
“Now we have been fairly impressed Maliq Carr, an enormous tight finish, 6’6″, 260 kilos. Actually has the flexibility to make performs within the passing recreation. Is a problem there, is an issue there. Operating again Nate Carter after which huge receiver No. 83, Montorie Foster, all guys that bounce out to us on tape.
“After which defensively, Scottie Hazelton, fourth 12 months at Michigan State. Has achieved a pleasant job. They’re a four-down entrance, some variation of 4-3, or 4-2 once they go nickel. Been impressed by Cal Haladay, native child taking part in center linebacker for them. Very productive. Aaron Brule, the linebacker, after which their nickel/security 43 Malik Spencer, and final, they security, No. 1, Jaden Mangham. So guys that we received a bunch of respect for.
“On particular groups, Ross Els, their punter, Ryan Eckley, No. 96, after which their kick return, punt return No. 2, Tyrell Henry.
“Don’t have another adjustments to debate on the depth chart. No actual adjustments in the case of redshirting, so divulge heart’s contents to questions.”
Right here’s all the pieces else the chief of the Lions mentioned on Monday.
On Drew Allar’s standing
“We count on Drew to go,” Franklin mentioned. “Similar to we deliberate on final week, I nonetheless assume each of these guys could have roles. And, I feel Beau will likely be able to go. He did a terrific job. He didn’t flinch. And, went in and made performs like we anticipated him to make. Now we have not practiced but for the reason that recreation. However, all indications, I feel we will likely be again to regular.”
On the shortage of targets for receivers
“Yeah, so primary, that was one thing we talked about this morning. We clearly need to get these guys some extra targets. I feel I informed you guys this earlier than, a whole lot of instances we have now — whether or not it’s photographs, and we had prolonged discussions about that, or targets. Quite a lot of instances we’ll take a look at of the play as a result of we don’t get the look we had been anticipating.
“We need to get as many guys touches as attainable, however I may also say, too, I feel our tight ends have been very productive all 12 months lengthy. I’d say that has been a part of it as properly, is emphasizing getting these guys extra targets.
“Earlier within the 12 months, you already know, you guys mentioned we weren’t concentrating on the tight ends sufficient, in order that’s the actual purpose why we modified it.
“Actually, it’s a mixture of we received to get these guys a couple of extra touches and targets, little question about it. There has additionally been I feel us taking part in slightly bit extra 12 personnel and slightly bit extra of that within the passing recreation, too.”
On the consistency of the Penn State protection this 12 months
“To begin with, we been lucky to play good protection right here [at Penn State] for some time, however I do consider that Manny has achieved an exceptional job of not solely taking what we been in a position to do right here over ten years, however taking it to a different degree.
“Clearly we’ve mentioned the marginally totally different fashion. This fashion you may have the flexibility to be extra suffocating, which we talked about up to now as a result of there may be simply not an entire lot of gimme free yards on the sector with as a lot press protection as we play.
“I feel he’s achieved a very good job of instructing and selling requirements of what the requirements of the Penn State protection are all about. I feel he’s achieved a very good job of instructing the defensive gamers the right way to view the sport particularly on the defensive facet of the ball, but additionally instructing soccer generally, which we spend a whole lot of time on.
“And I feel Manny has achieved a very good job. One of many issues we discuss, we’ll have a message within the staff assembly, and I like the coordinators to take that message and never solely reinforce the message, but additionally discuss how that connects to offensive or defensive soccer or particular groups soccer. You then go to the place rooms and the place coaches do the identical factor. Manny has achieved a very good job of that, of instructing soccer, of setting requirements of how we observe, whether or not it’s a full-speed drill, jog-through interval, and has simply actually, actually taken the protection to a distinct degree from a consistency standpoint.
“Then additionally simply the fashion that we’re making use of total. Nevertheless it’s simply he’s achieved a very good job, and actually the defensive employees, I do know Manny would need to credit score the defensive employees as properly. Anthony Pointdexter has been nice. Terry Smith has been nice. Deion Barnes has been nice. Actually the analysts as properly.
“I feel that’s one other factor that’s fascinating. Manny trusted — didn’t actually need to make any adjustments on the defensive employees. Wished to rent a defensive coordinator and preserve the employees intact. He got here right here, introduced Coach Lyster with him and Coach Lyster has achieved a terrific job.
“These two guys have actually achieved job of simply type of melting in with the prevailing employees and simply taking part in very well. So, yeah, I feel your description is well-deserved and Manny has achieved an exceptional job. It’s been earned and appreciated throughout the board.”
On the season Lions again Nicholas Singleton has had up to now
“Yeah, I perceive the query, however I assume what I’d say is to me, there may be much more to taking part in properly than simply the runs and simply the stats. So for instance, I feel after we return and grade Nick’s tape this 12 months and examine it to final 12 months, I feel he’s going to grade out as properly if not higher in being a well-rounded soccer participant.
“So what I imply by that’s should you have a look at him blocking for Kaytron Allen on the purpose line landing the opposite day, he blocked his man 5 yards into the tip zone. I feel that’s a definite enchancment from the place he was final 12 months. In case you have a look at his means to catch the ball, run routes, and be a legit issue within the passing recreation, I feel he’s dramatically improved in that space of his recreation.
“Once more, should you simply take the stats, yeah, I get it, however whenever you research the sport like I do know you’re as a real soccer man, actually research the tape, I feel he’s improved as a soccer participant. And I feel down the street when this stuff are evaluated by the folks that consider gamers nationally, I feel this 12 months is de facto setting him up for a ton of success in his future, not solely at Penn State, however afterwards.
“So, once more, I view it otherwise, proper? There may be additionally gamers which will have three or 4 thrilling, explosive runs, however then they’re not doing the opposite issues, and followers and a whole lot of media are, oh, he had an unbelievable recreation they usually actually didn’t. You understand, so I feel whenever you’re actually finding out the tape and all of it, I feel he’s had a greater 12 months.”
On how Ty Howle and Ja’Juan Seider referred to as the Rutgers recreation
“Yeah, to me it’s all of it, proper? To me it’s all of it. I used to be more than happy with how we operated from the [Penn State] Lasch Constructing and within the workplace and the way we recreation deliberate, how the scripts had been achieved the night time earlier than, how the playing cards had been achieved early for the scout staff and we might look them over and work by means of intimately, are these the precise appears we’re anticipating getting within the recreation.
“I assumed the collaboration, the atmosphere that was created that everyone spoke up and had opinions, I assumed that was actually good. I assumed Ja’Juan and Ty had been actually good complementary items of one another. I assumed once they received up in entrance of the staff they did a very good job of explaining how we’re going to play offense this week and the way that’s going to place our staff in the very best place to achieve success. I assumed all that stuff was actually good.
“On recreation day I assumed they did a very good job all through the sport of creating them defend the entire area, placing individuals in battle, and likewise after we had success with performs, going again to them and forcing the protection to regulate. Quite a lot of instances you may have a profitable play, you need to run it earlier than they get again to the sideline once more. You don’t need them to get again to the sideline and let the coaches get on the chalkboard and make the changes. I assumed the halftime stuff was actually good as properly.
“I assumed although the one backed up state of affairs, if I used to be going to be crucial in any space and I might have been higher right here in serving to them, I assumed the one backed up state of affairs the place we didn’t take time of the clock, didn’t get a primary down, and put our protection able that was not advantageous. That was the one factor I will likely be slightly bit crucial. Obtained to get a primary down or not less than received to run the ball and eat a while off the clock with the performs we name. Apart from that, I assumed it was actually good and I feel they’ll construct on it this week.
“I feel the most important factor that I mentioned to you guys earlier than is each Ja’Juan and Ty are loyal and appreciative to Penn State, loyal and appreciative to our gamers, and to the employees. They’ve created an atmosphere like that, which I assumed was actually good final week, and I feel we’ll refine the method much more this week. And I feel it was one the few weeks, once more, the place third down and explosive performs, we met each of these in the identical week. I can’t bear in mind per week the place we solely had one missed task. The sport plan was smaller and tighter than it had been all 12 months, however nonetheless sufficient to trigger challenges to a very good protection.
“I feel Rutgers is a very good protection and do job.”
On Penn State QB Beau Pribula’s throwing means
“I feel a few it’s, it’s situational. We’ve had passes in for him each week. However then, you additionally get right into a state of affairs the place the vast majority of his reps have are available 4 minute soccer the place you’re making an attempt to run the ball as a lot as you presumably can. I went as much as him on Saturday, and though there was a whole lot of time left, we nonetheless wished to take advantage of the clock. We’re in place with the sport, need to put a very good drive collectively, and eat the clock. I feel a part of it’s simply the place you’re at within the recreation, and does the state of affairs warrant that? However, as you may think about, there’s been extra in his bundle then what you’ve seen.
“I feel the individuals [at Penn State], you already know. I like the gamers that I’ve been in a position to get to know and their households on a big degree during the last ten years. You understand, that’s most likely turn into extra — most likely turn into extra conscious of that even, to be trustworthy with you, due to Vanderbilt. Prefer it’s superb what number of of these gamers that performed with us at Vanderbilt have stayed in contact, have come right here to go to, that I join with once I’m out of city.
“These relationships are actual important relationships. You see gamers coming again to video games right here or on the street, the relationships with the gamers and the ups and downs and twists and turns of what wholesome relationships undergo with the employees, all of the folks that work within the Lasch Constructing, all of the totally different roles, you already know, I take into consideration the individuals on campus which were in a position to develop relationships, whether or not it’s Neeli Bendapudi or whether or not it’s Michael Wade Smith or Pat Kraft or Vinnie, Matt Schyler, you already know, I feel again to individuals like Dave Joyner who employed me and gave me this chance, and Sandy and Eric Barron.
“I simply take into consideration the individuals. You understand, I take into consideration the quarterback membership, which was one thing I used to be like towards once I received right here. I’m going to go over in the course of the week and that relationship — I look ahead to that now with the quarterback membership.
“Generally you don’t essentially need to go to the press convention and reply questions; typically you don’t need to go to the quarterback membership and reply questions. However I’d say the individuals. Steve Jones and Jack Ham and simply the individuals. Kris or Greg.
“I feel on the finish of the day, that’s actually what it’s, proper? It’s about relationships and folks. You bought your loved ones after which you may have your prolonged household. In order that’s most likely the factor I’m most grateful for, is all of the fantastic, totally different folks that I’ve gotten to know. I feel you guys have heard me discuss this earlier than. That’s what so nice about school soccer, is the locker room is filled with individuals from completely — I imply completely — totally different backgrounds.
“I feel our world can be taught loads from a university soccer locker room, as a result of actually you bought individuals that would not be any extra totally different, from the way in which they had been raised, academic expertise, ethnic backgrounds, non secular range. It’s nearly as good because it will get for my part. I feel lots of people can be taught loads by being part of a university soccer locker room, and doubtless a whole lot of sports activities, to be trustworthy with you. I feel that’s the place sports activities are so precious to the tutorial course of, which I do know is questioned at instances. Deservedly so questioned at instances.
“When the professors come they usually’re a part of our visitor coach program, I feel they depart feeling like, you already know what? That is really a complement to what they’re studying within the classroom, and I’m very pleased with all of that. That’s most likely the issues I’m most grateful for.
On Ty Howle’s and Ja’Juan Seider’s relationship
“I feel that’s one thing we work exhausting at. We spend a whole lot of hours collectively, so a whole lot of instances that occurs organically and naturally simply over time. I feel you guys know we do the share factor the place guys rise up in entrance, gamers and employees rise up in entrance of the staff and share some private issues about their background. That’s been useful.
“On the finish of the day, they’re simply two actually good guys and have actually good households, and I feel particularly for Ja’Juan and doubtless Ty slightly bit as properly, however the longer you’re on this occupation, you understand what we have now right here at Penn State is tough to search out. A spot the place you legitimately can provide a child a terrific schooling, you may play huge time soccer on the very highest degree, in a neighborhood that is sensible by way of elevating your loved ones and seeing your loved ones after which work round good individuals within the workplace. An atmosphere the place your youngsters and spouse can come to the workplace each single day.
“So I feel they’re sufficiently old and skilled sufficient to understand that. They been locations the place — perhaps they’ve gone someplace and didn’t get that, so that they worth it right here. Or seen individuals depart right here and go elsewhere and been making an attempt to get again right here since they left.
“I feel all these issues and that perspective is efficacious, and I feel with these two guys, I feel they’re skilled sufficient to acknowledge it. I feel they’ve additionally developed deep and important relationships with their rooms. I additionally assume that’s one of many the explanation why they’ve recruited so properly at their positions and why we most likely have such nice depth at these two positions. I feel different individuals acknowledge that as properly, the kind of males they’re and the way invested they’re right here.”
On the Penn State recreation plan being tighter towards Rutgers
“Yeah, once more, I feel that is type of like once I get requested questions that I feel, I don’t know if essentially they’re meant to be, however I get requested questions typically in regards to the gamers or employees that if I reply it the way in which you requested the questions may very well be divisive. I get questions, and I’m not saying it’s meant to be, however I don’t need to do something that’s going to return off as disrespectful to anyone that’s been right here.
“What I’ll say to reply your query is that’s at all times the problem, proper? How tight are you able to get the sport plan to permit the gamers to get sufficient reps versus all of the appears within the recreation to play quick and task sound, however not too small that there’s not sufficient issues within the plan to offer the protection challenges and points. So that’s at all times the fixed battle. I bear in mind once I first turned a coordinator, being a west price — coming from a west coast system the sport plan was large.
“The longer you do it you understand you need to give the fellows simply sufficient, so yearly my recreation plan received smaller and smaller and smaller. Once more, that’s the place it’s an artwork and never only a science. The place is the candy spot? We attempt to say, okay, the numbers, what number of performs do we have now within the recreation plan in week one, week two? Let’s return final 12 months. What number of performs did we have now within the recreation plans? What video games did we play the very best in? What was the candy spot?
“Not simply the variety of performs within the recreation plan, what number of of these performs are new ideas, not the identical play run from a distinct formation with a distinct movement. That’s tremendous. What number of of these performs are new ideas as properly? What’s the candy spot for that as properly? Usually which will present up on third down and pink zone or with a trick play or shot.
“So all these issues must be factored in, and to me, that’s the place the very best ones are. They’re as tight as they are often with the sport plan, however not so tight that it turns into simplistic and straightforward for the protection.In order that’s always a problem every week. Then I’d additionally say the extra complicated the protection you’re taking part in, then most likely the smaller the sport plan must be.
“The extra base and customary the protection is, then perhaps you generally is a little bit extra inventive. You’re making an attempt to steadiness all of these issues every week. That’s a continuing battle and wrestle.”
On Drew Allar’s confidence degree on Saturday earlier than the damage
“Yeah, I feel he’s been assured every week. I feel his numbers again that up. His numbers are actually good.
“Has there been instances the place he hasn’t been in rhythm? Sure. Has there been instances the place he’s missed some throws that he wish to have again? Sure. Has there been instances the place we didn’t shield him in addition to we should always have? Sure. Generally we didn’t create sufficient separation within the passing recreation, whether or not it’s tight finish or receiver or operating again? Sure.
“However those self same conversations he’ll be having the remainder of his profession and we’ll be having the remainder of his profession. When it comes to his confidence in the course of the week, sure. His confidence on Saturday? Sure. However there may be undoubtedly — the thrilling factor to me I feel there’s a ton of room for enchancment with him and with us.”
On a recruit (Bekkem Kritza) saying he knew Mike Yurcich could be fired earlier than the Michigan recreation and if that was the case?
“Yeah, I feel you guys know me properly sufficient that that’s not the case. I can’t discuss specifics about recruits as you guys know, however I feel you guys know me properly sufficient.
“Each recruit that I’ve ever met with I discuss to the recruit about committing to Penn State and committing to me, as a result of the character of faculty soccer, I don’t need there to be a training change or coach leaves to go be the pinnacle coach at Virginia Tech or Previous Dominion or Mississippi State and now hastily you’re uncertain.
“So I cowl that with each single recruit, however I can also see that based mostly on the timing of how issues performed out that for a younger child, him type of connecting the dots within the flawed approach.
“However I do know the media that coated that and is speaking to a younger child can type of determine it out, you already know. I feel you guys understand how I’m going about my enterprise. I’d by no means do this. That doesn’t make sense. However for a younger child, I might see how the timing of that, you’d join these dots, they usually’re not likely related.
“However I do know all of you guys wouldn’t join the dots that approach and wouldn’t write it that approach since you’ve been round me and the way I’m going about issues for some time. Wouldn’t put a child and recruit in that sort of place.
On the concept of making an attempt to retain Manny Diaz at Penn State after the season
I feel, as you guys know, each offseason, that’s a problem when you may have good individuals and proficient individuals. Now we have to do all the pieces we presumably can to retain them and really feel good and appreciated. And that’s with your entire employees. What we’ve talked about up to now is, what can we do, and must do, right here at Penn State to ensure guys don’t depart for lateral strikes? That’s the principle factor, that assistants don’t depart to be assistants or coordinators to be coordinators. If guys have an opportunity for a transparent, apparent promotion, we would like that for him.
“We prefer to create a state of affairs right here for Manny and his household that he desires to be right here till he has a possibility to get a very good head teaching job that’s going to permit him to flourish. I feel Brent dealt with it most likely in addition to any. He had a terrific job, turned down a bunch of jobs ready for the fitting one. What occurs is I feel the older and the longer you’re on this occupation you acknowledge that, proper? It’s assistant coaches not leaving for titles. If the assistant coaches have a possibility to go be the coordinator and name the offense or protection or particular groups, then they need to do this if that’s what they need to do professionally.
“However for myself and Pat and Vinnie, we’re going to try to go all the pieces we presumably can to make it possible for guys aren’t leaving for lateral strikes. And to me, that’s the main focus. The opposite alternatives, I feel that’s of their greatest curiosity if it’s the fitting job, and it’s additionally I feel a complement to what we’re doing right here.”
