FOOTBALL

Penn State’s national title hopes take a back seat to the ‘1-0 mentality’

James Franklin emphasizes his infamous ‘1-0 mentality’ over his team’s national title-caliber expectations.

Published

2 months ago

April 5, 2023

Chris Mangum

Penn State football, national title, head football coach James Franklin

Penn State Nittany Lions football practice; April 4th, 2023. Credit: Chris Mangum, Basic Blues Nation

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Per usual, the Nittany Lions had their weekly media availability on Tuesday evening, where a number of top coaches and players on the 2023 roster had a chance to discuss the upcoming season. While many of the Penn State football players we spoke with on Tuesday listed a national title as their goal for 2023, head football coach James Franklin states that the team’s focus needs to only be on what is in front of them.

With massive expectations on their shoulders heading into this fall, Penn State football cannot afford to look ahead — all that matters is getting better each day during spring and overcoming the West Virginia Mountaineers on September 2nd to open the season.

Head football coach James Franklin knows that focus is key

When head football coach James Franklin took over in 2014, the Penn State football program was, frankly, a mess. The Lions were under heavy NCAA sanctions, and through his first two seasons, only won 14 of their 26 games. Still, in 2016 — the first year back from sanctions — Penn State climbed back to its place at the top of the sport, compiling 11 wins and a Big Ten title for the first time in nearly a decade.

Since that 2016 season, the Nittany Lions have seen four 11-win seasons, three New Year’s Six wins, four top 10 finishes, and a Big Ten Championship in just six full seasons; in fact, Penn State football still finished with a winning record in its two worst seasons over that stretch (7-6/9-4).

After going 11-2, finishing ranked at No. 7, and winning the program’s second-ever Rose Bowl game in 2022, the Penn State football program has some lofty expectations this fall — PSU is currently thought of as a Big Ten title and Playoff-caliber team despite its many young faces that will need to step up.

The ‘1-0 mentality’ will be crucial for Penn State football this fall

Earlier in the day, Nick Singleton spoke to the media and I about the upcoming Penn State football season. Like many other players on Penn State’s roster, Singleton expressed a desire to bring a national championship back to Happy Valley for the first time since 1986, when Joe Paterno’s team won Penn State’s second and final title. “Obviously, we want to win a Big Ten Championship and compete for a national championship — those are our main goals,” Singleton said on Tuesday.

Still, when asked about the expectations that head football coach James Franklin has to balance regarding his program in 2023, he told the media that the Nittany Lions are only focused on spring ball right now, and that in due time, focus will shift to West Virginia, and so on.

“I love that, that’s great,” head football coach James Franklin said of his players wanting to win a national title this fall. “But I am going to leave here and tell them they better focus on West Virginia. I love that, but to me, you spend all of this time talking about goals and things way down the road — and that’s fine to maybe talk about once or twice — but then you better spend most of your time focused on what you need to do to get there.

“That’s all that really matters,” Franklin continued. “That you’re willing to do what it takes to get there, and we spend very little time talking about results and goals.”

Entering the a new season — one that is filled with some huge expectations for the Penn State football team — head football coach James Franklin knows very well that, in order to accomplish what his team wants to accomplish, the Nittany Lions need to remain focused on spring ball and the season opener before thinking about a national championship.

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FOOTBALL

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

1 hour 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

5 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.

FOOTBALL

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

7 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.