FOOTBALL

James Franklin talks defensive line: ‘we feel good about the depth that we have’

The Nittany Lions’ head coach sat down to talk some D-line ahead of Penn State’s first spring practice.

Published

3 months ago

March 15, 2023

Apr 17, 2021; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on during the Penn State spring practice at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Alberti-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — On Tuesday, Penn State kicked off its first spring practice leading up to the infamous Blue-White game on April 15th. Before the Nittany Lions’ practice, Penn State head football coach James Franklin addressed the media — when asked about his defensive line, Franklin feels confident that Penn State football is in good shape there.

James Franklin talks defensive line at Tuesday press conference

Here is what Penn State head coach James Franklin had to say about his defensive line, its depth, and his size preferences on the inside of his line:

“Yeah, I think we feel good about the depth that we have there,” Franklin said. “Obviously, you would like more, but when you talk about, we got four guys that have played a decent amount of football, three specifically that have played a decent amount of football, with [Hakeem] Beamon, [Zane] Durant, [Dvon] Ellies, and [Jordan] van den Berg, those guys have all played.

“And then we’ve got two guys that we’re excited about with [Kaleb] Artis and [Davon] Townley. And then [Sam] Siafa is a guy that’s just transitioned over there, so see what he’s going to be able to do as well. And then we got Ty Blanding coming in in the summer, so we’ll see how that plays out. You never really kind of depend on or expect a true freshman to be able to play there, but you never know. Durant, Zane Durant was able to do it last year.

“So we’ll see how that plays out. But Beamon, Alize, Durant, van den Berg, those guys. Then we have some guys obviously, as you guys know, [Coziah] Izzard has played a ton of football. I’m not sure how much he’ll be able to go this spring with some bumps and bruises that you guys will find out about obviously when you come out to practice. But when you factor him in, then you really got five guys that have played a ton of football at Penn State.”

Deion Barnes will help Penn State football improve at D-Line in 2023

James Franklin made a point to circle back and again address the depth that Penn State football brings at D-line heading into the 2023 season. Franklin also brought up his new defensive line coach, Deion Barnes, who was promoted to D-line coach just a few days ago.

“To me, if we can have a two-and-a-half deep at every position, with guys that have played in games and showed that we can win with, then great. I would like us to be a little bit bigger at D-tackle. I think there’s some games where we’re able to get away with it because of our athleticism and our quickness, but to win the way we want to win, we need both, we need size and quickness and athleticism.

“I think Deion’s going to be able to build off of what we’ve done the last couple of years, but I also think he’s going to put his stamp on it as well. I know one of the things that’s really important to him is effort, and I think now that sounds like a simple thing, but we think there’s a little bit left in the tank to get our guys to play on a different level when it comes to effort.”

‘The game starts up front’

As we turn the page from the 2022 season to a brand new season this fall, James Franklin says that the offensive and defensive lines of his team will determine the Nittany Lions’ success.

“I’m a big believer on both sides of the ball. You guys have heard me talk about this before, is the game starts up front, whether it’s the defense or whether it’s the offense. To your point, I think we’ve got a chance to be really talented at defensive end. I think we got a chance to be really good at defensive tackle. But there’s probably a little bit more question marks there and a little less depth. I also could see us maybe getting into some situations where in passing downs, we’re getting more of those defensive ends on the field if they show that they’re able to rush as internal players as well.

“I know Deion wants to put his stamp on it. I think we’ll have a better idea for that after spring of what we did well, what we need to build on. But I think at the end of the day, it all starts with relationships. He’s got really strong relationships. But I also think they need; the players need to understand, and I know Deion addressed this with them yesterday, like, this is not going to be the same Deion, as much as he thinks he’s going to be and as much as they think he’s going to be, when you’re in a complementary role compared to running the show and running the room, there’s a transition that happens, and it’s going to be fun and it’s going to be exciting. I also think we’ve all got to play a part in that as well in supporting Deion in that room through this transition. That would be for whoever we hired.”

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FOOTBALL

Penn State football yet to name a starting quarterback heading into summer camp

The Penn State football starting quarterback situation remains unresolved heading into the summer.

Published

57 mins ago

June 9, 2023

Chris Mangum

Penn State football starting quarterback, Drew Allar, James Franklin

Apr 15, 2023; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) 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. — Yesterday, the media was invited back to State College to speak with a few members of the Nittany Lions’ coaching staff for the first time since the Blue/White game in mid-April. During the press conference, head coach James Franklin was asked about the unresolved QB situation, which was last discussed during his previous media appearance. His response was straightforward: there is currently no designated Penn State football starting quarterback.

Penn State football starting quarterback yet to be named ahead of summer ball

This fall, the Blue and White will have a new quarterback for the first time since 2018. For the past four years, Sean Clifford, the Lions’ former 6th-year QB, was assumed to be the Penn State football starting quarterback ahead of all four seasons.

Throughout the offseason, the competition has been primarily between two individuals: Drew Allar and Beau Pribula, both entering their second season with the Nittany Lions. However, head coach James Franklin emphasizes that the starting quarterback position for Penn State football is still up for grabs as the team heads into summer ball.

“I think really every year it’s the same philosophy,” James Franklin said on Thursday. “I think sometimes it’s assumed, which, I get it, but it’s competition at every position. A lot of things can happen between now and the season; even when Sean Clifford was here … he was competing for the starting job every single year. If he would get beat out, that was his problem, not mine.

“We have competition at every single position every single year, returning starter or not,” Franklin continued. “I think that’s the right thing to do — not only for our entire program, but I also think for the starter.”

Drew Allar is expected to take over despite the decision pending

While James Franklin is yet to name a starting quarterback for the 2023 season, it is widely assumed that former five-star prospect Drew Allar, the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 class, will secure the position and become the starting quarterback for Penn State football.

Blue and White fans have been eagerly anticipating the start of the Allar era in Happy Valley for years. If everything goes as expected, fans won’t have to wait much longer, as the Nittany Lions will kick off their 2023 season against West Virginia in just 85 days.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

FOOTBALL

2023 Penn State football offensive line ranked in top 10

Today, the 2023 Penn State football offensive line was ranked among the nation’s top 10.

Published

2 hours ago

June 9, 2023

Chris Mangum

Sep 18, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) gestures from the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Today, new rankings were released by 247 Sports, a trusted publication in the world of college athletics, which ranked the 2023 Penn State football offensive line among the top 10 best units in the nation. A season ago, the Nittany Lions’ offensive line showed shocking improvement as they helped lead the Blue and White to an impressive 11-2 campaign, which was capped with a Rose Bowl win over Utah.

2023 Penn State football offensive line ranked among top 10 nationally

In 2021, the Penn State football offensive line was perhaps as bad as it has ever been, leading to a stagnant rushing attack, an injured quarterback, and overall offensive failure. As a result, the Blue and White made a few staff changes, and these new faces, combined with rising young talents like Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, brought the Nittany Lions back to success on the offensive side of the football.

For the first time since 2018, Penn State had a 1,000-yard rusher, and they nearly had two of them. Additionally, Sean Clifford had a chance to make decisions and throw the ball with his feet set, resulting in an improved passing game and overall success. By the end of the season, Penn State football had 11 wins, with all but one of those wins being blowouts, including the Lions’ huge win in the Rose Bowl.

Heading into the new season, the expectations for the Blue and White are growing higher and higher. The 2023 Penn State football offensive line is projected to be even bigger and better than the 2022 line. If the Nittany Lions expect to appear in the College Football Playoff or make a run at the Big Ten title this year, it will start with their performance up front.

According to today’s new rankings from 247 Sports, the 2023 Penn State football offensive line ranks among the nation’s top 10, coming in at No. 8 ahead of the new season. Fans will get their first glimpse of this new-look offensive line this fall when the Nittany Lions host the West Virginia Mountaineers at Beaver Stadium in State College, PA.

FOOTBALL

Penn State football: Best wins over 2023 opponents – Iowa

It took all 60 minutes – literally – but Penn State football escaped this game at Kinnick with a victory.

Published

6 hours ago

June 9, 2023

Shane Lunnen

Sep 23, 2017; Iowa City, IA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) jumps over Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Joshua Jackson (15) and defensive back Amani Hooker (27) as Nittany Lions wide receiver Juwan Johnson (84) looks to block during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Penn State won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Today, we continue our series of the best Penn State football wins over 2023 opponents with Iowa. Penn State’s best wins over the Hawkeyes have come at the price of some heartache as well. The two schools met nine times before the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten, with Penn State winning six matchups.

Starting conference play, it seemed the Nittany Lions would continue this advantage, winning four of their first five contests with the Hawkeyes. But then the trouble started. Iowa dominated the series in the early 2000s. Some of the major letdowns include the infamous 6-4 game and a heartbreaking last-second loss in 2008 that cost the Nittany Lions a shot at the national championship.

Since 2011 Penn State has won most of the matchups, but the last contest in 2021 left a bad taste in the mouths of Nittany Lions fans. Penn State will look to cleanse that in this year’s matchup in Happy Valley under the lights of a Beaver Stadium White Out.

However, of all the matchups, there is one game and resulting Nittany Lion victory that stands out in this series. This would be the 2017 contest in Kinnick.

Saquon Barkley was an inhuman force for Penn State football

A game in Kinnick Stadium is never easy. The fans are raucous and sit right on top of the players. The stadium’s design literally puts the stands as close to the sidelines as possible. If it is a night game, then the atmosphere turns up tenfold.

That is precisely what the fourth-ranked Nittany Lions faced in 2017. Both teams entered the contest undefeated, and the Hawkeyes had developed a reputation for upsets. Iowa’s last three home contests against top-five foes all ended in victories. The Hawkeyes looked to make Penn State its latest victim on this late September night.

But Saquon Barkley did his part and then some to ensure the Nittany Lions would be on the winning end. He finished the game with 211 yards on the ground with a touchdown, and added 12 receptions for 94 yards. His standout play of the night was this beauty that has gone down in Penn State football folklore.

It took all 60 minutes to beat Iowa

The game was quite sluggish to start. The teams traded punts through most of the first half, with Penn State converting a field goal, missing another, and getting a safety to lead 5-0 late in the second quarter. Then Trace McSorley would throw an interception, setting up the Hawkeyes deep in Nittany Lion territory. Iowa converted the opportunity into a touchdown to take a 7-5 halftime lead.

The Nittany Lions led 15-7 after three frames. But then the Iowa offense finally woke up. Running back Akrum Wadley scored two touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air, giving Iowa a 19-15 lead with just one minute and 42 seconds remaining in the game.

It looked like the Hawkeyes would pull another upset against a top-five foe. That is, until McSorley, Barkley, and the Penn State offense went on one magical final drive. Juwan Johnson’s touchdown catch, the first of his career, silenced the Kinnick crowd as time expired.

Penn State won and kept its College Football Playoff hopes alive for several more weeks, until back-to-back close losses against Ohio State and Michigan State dashed those dreams. But the Nittany Lions finished the season with an 11-2 record and a win over Washington in the Fiesta Bowl. Despite the season not ending in a playoff berth, the game against Iowa is one Nittany Lion fans still remember fondly.