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OPINION: Could playing on Black Friday benefit Penn State football?

With new reports indicating Penn State football will play on Black Friday this year, could a Friday game actually benefit the Nittany Lions?

Published

3 weeks ago

May 22, 2023

Colin Crissey

Sep 27, 2019; College Park, MD, USA; The Penn State Nittany Lions run onto the field prior to their game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Editor’s note: This is an opinion piece and reflects only the thoughts and opinions of the author.

In the United States, the day after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. On Black Friday, retailers give massive discounts on their products. Shopping on the day has been hectic as people battle for deals. The day has been known for going to stores and eating leftovers. Over the years, Black Friday has increasingly become a day for football, with games spread across the afternoon as shoppers return home to their TV sets. And according to one new report, Penn State football may be the latest team to make the jump from Saturday to Friday viewing this season.

Several new games have been added to the Black Friday slate this season

This year, Black Friday will be known for football. The NFL is playing its first-ever Black Friday game when the Jets host the Dolphins. Thanksgiving is synonymous with NFL football, and now so will Black Friday.

But many Penn Staters who are Eagles or Steelers fans will not have a rooting interest in this game. The Eagles and Steelers play in the NFC East and AFC North, respectively, and the Black Friday game is an AFC East matchup. But there is some good news for Penn State football fans who are bored on Black Friday.

Penn State football set to take on Michigan State on Black Friday, per report

This weekend, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Penn State will have a short week as they travel to East Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans on Black Friday, November 24th. For the first time since 2019, Penn State football will play a game on a Friday.

a little Penn State scheduling nugget in this larger report on the Big Ten https://t.co/nmOpqXtM6P pic.twitter.com/1NK6BZPh5g

— Daniel Gallen (@danieljtgallen) May 21, 2023

James Franklin has been very public about his disdain for playing on Fridays. In 2018, he made his position clear when he told reporters, “Yeah, I’m not a fan of Friday night games. Friday night is for high school. Truly, Saturday is for college. And Sunday is for the NFL.”

Franklin went on to say the reason college football games are being played on Fridays is because of “greed.” There is not much on TV on Fridays during college football season, and thus, games on Friday do pretty well with TV ratings. Therefore, playing games on Friday would make networks a lot of money.

The value of Friday for Penn State

Friday nights are also important for James Franklin and Penn State football recruiting. Franklin and his staff have been known to take a helicopter to various high school games when the Nittany Lions’ gameday schedule allows. Obviously, this is not possible if Penn State plays on a Friday night.

Pennsylvania’s football culture, like many other areas, involves playing high school games on Fridays, college games on Saturdays, and NFL games on Sundays or Mondays. The upheaval of this cycle has caused many Penn State fans to become angry with schedule makers.

But Black Friday might not be the worst time to play a Friday game. By late November, many high school teams have finished their season, which could lessen the recruiting blow. Additionally, by the end of the season, Penn State should be better equipped to handle a shortened game week, as opposed to playing on a Friday earlier in the season when the team is still trying to find its footing.

The Nittany Lions’ recent history of success in weekday games

Personally, I think Penn State fans should be happy that they can see their team play a day earlier on rivalry week. There will be something to do on Black Friday other than shopping, and fans can watch all the other rivalry games on Saturday.

But, the Nittany Lions have a recent history of success when playing on Fridays. In 2018, Penn State played Illinois on the road and won 63-24. In 2019, Penn State played Maryland in College Park and won 59-0 on a day the school canceled classes. This past season, Penn State opened up against Purdue on a Thursday and won 35-31.

So, while Penn State and its fans alike might not like playing on days other than Saturday, Black Friday could be a good time for the Nittany Lions if the trend continues. But like it or not, this is the hand that the Nittany Lions have reportedly been dealt, and James Franklin will have to adapt to it as best as possible.

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James Franklin is pleased with new Penn State football transfer portal addition

James Franklin says a new Penn State football transfer portal addition is standing out so far.

Published

2 hours ago

June 8, 2023

Chris Mangum

Penn State football, transfer portal, Dante Cephas, James Franklin

Apr 15, 2023; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin walks off the field following the competition of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The Blue team defeated the White team 10-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Earlier today, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions’ coaching staff had some time to speak with the media ahead of summer camp in Happy Valley. With the team’s newest signees suiting up and on campus now, it comes as little surprise to fans and the media that a new Penn State football transfer portal addition is already standing out during his short period in the Blue and White.

New Penn State football transfer portal addition already standing out

According to Penn State head coach James Franklin, the Nittany Lions have a star in Dante Cephas, a new Penn State football transfer portal addition. Cephas is headed to State College after spending four years with the Kent State Golden Flashes, a member of the Mid-American Conference.

Cephas brings a large frame, quick hands, great footwork, and a fast release to the table for the Blue and White. He is expected to be a valuable weapon for Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, who many assume will be the Nittany Lions’ starter in Week 1 against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Today, James Franklin delved into what makes Dante Cephas special and shared his observations so far.

James Franklin breaks down Cephas

Below is just some of what the Nittany Lions’ head coach, James Franklin, had to say about Dante Cephas and his abilities thus far in the Blue and White. It’s important to note that these comments were made shortly after Cephas arrived on campus and before summer ball, but indications are that there are great things ahead for this new addition to the Penn State football transfer portal.

“He tested well in our initial testing,” James Franklin said earlier today during Penn State’s media availability. “I do think this level of training, no knock to anybody else or other programs or other schools, I do think this is different for him. And I think, in a lot of ways, that’s exciting because the lifting in the running is at a very different level. And I think his body really has a chance to explode and develop over the time that hopefully we have him. So far, so good.”

Dante Cephas has been receiving significant national attention since joining Penn State after the 2022 season. Just this week, he was recognized as a top Big Ten transfer by CBS Sports and was ranked among the top three wide receivers in the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus. It’s clear that Cephas is off to a strong start in the Blue and White.

FOOTBALL

BREAKING: 2024 and 2025 Big Ten schedules released

Penn State football has just learned which Big Ten opponents it will face under the new scheduling format.

Published

6 hours ago

June 8, 2023

Matt Thomas

2024 and 2025 Big Ten schedules, Penn State Football

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) is defended by USC Trojans defensive back Ajene Harris (27) in the second quarter during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday afternoon, the 2024 and 2025 Big Ten schedules for football were announced. The announcement is notable given the addition of two new teams, USC and UCLA, to the conference. In a significant move for Nittany Lions fans, Penn State football will host USC in Beaver Stadium next fall, followed by UCLA in 2025.

Penn State football gets favorable Big Ten matchups in 2024

Penn State football will face a series of monster Big Ten opponents at home in 2025, including Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, and USC. The schedule also features several favorable road matchups, such as Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, and Wisconsin.

The 2025 schedule will present a challenge for Nittany Lions

While the 2024 schedule shakes out favorably for Penn State football, 2025 will be much more difficult. The Nittany Lions will host Illinois, Minnesota, and Rutgers in the 2025 season. However, the road slate will feature extremely difficult tests. Penn State will have to travel to several challenging venues, including Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, and USC.

Other notable features of the new 2024 and 2025 Big Ten schedules

As has been reported by several different outlets this afternoon, Penn State is not included in one of the protected rivalry games kept by the Big Ten. We are already seeing the impacts of this feature firsthand. Penn State will not play the Michigan Wolverines next season, nor will the Nittany Lions play the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2025.

While this means that James Franklin and Penn State will no longer face the gauntlet of the Big Ten East, that does not mean the schedule gets easier by any means. The 2025 road schedule is nothing short of daunting, with games at Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, and USC.

Of course, we do not have the scheduled dates for any of these games yet, so the timings of these matchups will also greatly influence the strength of the schedule for the Nittany Lions.

Please note: This is a breaking news story. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

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Penn State football: James Franklin thinks PSU may have the best defensive line in the nation

According to James Franklin, the Penn State football defensive line is coming together nicely thus far.

Published

8 hours ago

June 8, 2023

Chris Mangum

Penn State football defensive line, James Franklin, defensive tackles

Nov 5, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Dvon Ellies (91) celebrates with Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Coziah Izzard (99) after a sack during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Earlier today, head coach James Franklin had a chance to speak with the media for around 30 minutes at the Lasch Football Building in State College, PA. There, Franklin expressed his excitement about the Penn State football defensive line — specifically the defensive tackles — which he claims may be the best in the nation. Since last year’s crushing 41-17 loss to Michigan, the D-tackle position has been in question for Penn State, so this is great news for the Blue and White.

Penn State football defensive line is resolving questions with defensive tackles this spring

The Penn State football defensive line is looking like one of the best in the country right now — from the defensive ends to the interior of the D-line, the Nittany Lions are looking to make waves on defense and push for a Big Ten title this fall.

Following the Blue/White spring game at Beaver Stadium in April, James Franklin pointed out a major area of need for his Nittany Lions: more depth and experience at defensive tackle. Considering the loss of long-time star defensive tackle PJ Mustipher from the 2022 squad, Franklin’s concern appeared to be justified. However, today his message was different heading into summer camp.

“Probably the position I am most excited about right now, for a lot of different reasons, is defensive tackle,” head coach James Franklin said earlier today. “… We got a chance to have, I think, one of the best D-lines in the country — from a depth and talent standpoint — but also a size standpoint … right now that’s a position group that I am really excited about, that I think has a chance to take us to the next level on defense.”

2023 D-line, especially defensive tackles, could make or break the Nittany Lions’ season

A season ago, the Penn State football defensive line left many wondering how it would pan out down the road. Now, Franklin says that these questions are starting to be resolved.

“We’ve got a chance (to have a great defensive tackle group), we just gotta back it up with the work right now,” Franklin explained.

There have been a few notable names turning heads along the Penn State football defensive line this spring. One of the most talked-about rising stars is sophomore tackle Zane Durant, who has consistently been mentioned as a potential breakout player for the 2023 season. Additionally, players like Hakeem Beamon and Dvon Ellies were mentioned today as potential stars in the making.

“Zane Durant is bigger and stronger than he’s been,” Franklin said. “Hakeem [Beamon] is bigger than he has been in a long time.”

If this year’s Penn State football defensive line can step up and make a significant impact this fall, the Nittany Lions will have their best opportunity in quite some time to challenge the powerhouses of the Big Ten East, Michigan and Ohio State. It could pave the way for them to claim the program’s first Big Ten title since the 2016 season.