James Franklin wants Penn State football fans to bring ‘White Out energy’ for Big Ten opener

The Penn State football team dominated Kent State from the first play to the last whistle. The Nittany Lions have typically struggled coming off of the bye week but that wasn’t the case on Saturday afternoon. Instead, Drew Allar and the offense moved the ball with ease and the defense allowed minimal gains for the Golden Flashes leading to a 56-0 win. Following the game James Franklin asked Penn State fans to bring their best next Saturday against Illinois.

A good way to describe what the Penn State football team did against Kent State on Saturday is that they took care of business. Directly following the Kent State game, James Franklin spoke to the media where he asked for the Nittany Lion faithful to bring the energy next Saturday night in Beaver Stadium.

“We need this place rocking next week, Franklin said. “I’m calling for White Out energy.”

It’s an interesting comment from Franklin as the game against Illinois is not the annual White Out game. Instead, the game against Illinois will serve as homecoming for Penn State.

The Nittany Lions did something that over the recent years they have struggled with which is a strong response on the field following a bye week. Drew Allar and the Penn State offense were sharp and the defense only allowed 67 yards for the entire game to the Golden Flashes.

Penn State will be tested next Saturday

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

Most of the country was watching the Illinois at Nebraska game on Friday night. That’s where the Fighting Illini went on the road and defeated the Cornhuskers 31-24 in overtime. Illinois is a team that Penn State has some recent history with. Last season, the Nittany Lions went on the road and beat Illinois 30-13.

But in 2021, Illinois came into Happy Valley and beat Penn State in a nine-overtime affair. A lot has changed with both programs over the past few years, but it’s clear that Fighting Illini QB Luke Altmyer has greatly improved from last season. In 2024 he has thrown for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns with no interceptions through four games.

The matchup between Penn State and Illinois is next Saturday night at either 7 or 7:30 pm ET with a network yet to be announced yet.

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