No music? No problem. Penn State practicing without music ahead of game against Northwestern

Penn State is known for having one of the most raucous environments in college football, but it will be facing a new test this weekend.

The Nittany Lions are set to hit the road and take on the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday, and James Franklin is adjusting his team’s practice routine before the third conference game of the campaign.

In preparation for Northwestern’s Ryan Field, which has averaged around 17,500 fans this year, Franklin cut the music out of practice this week.

“It’s usually blaring, and they were asking me to turn it up today,” Franklin said. “I said no.”

The Wildcats have struggled mightily on both offense and defense through four contests this campaign, and it’s the first time in 18 years they are not led by Pat Fitzgerald.

Northwestern’s struggles aren’t just limited to its play on the gridiron but also the attendance numbers.

Ryan Field holds just 47,130 people, which is well short of the 110,830-person crowd the blue and white played in front of last weekend.

“They’re used to the environment, other people may not be,” Franklin said. “It’s gonna be very different from what we played last week.”

Penn State improved to 3-0 last week after it blanked then-No. 24 Iowa 31-0 in front of a White Out crowd, which was the second-highest-attended game in Beaver Stadium.

A lack of noise and hostility could act as a benefit for Penn State, away from the friendly confines of Beaver Stadium, knowing that it doesn’t have to face a hostile crowd.

On the flip side, it could be considered a negative for the Nittany Lions as they have to create their own energy throughout the contest.

“The music always brings a little bit more extra energy,” Liam Clifford said. “But no music, it kind of forces you to figure out a way to bring energy within your group or within the offense or defense. I like the idea. I think it’s been good so far, and it’ll help us on Saturday.”

Penn State’s fanbase typically travels well for road contests, but Clifford noted the importance of creating energy from within and not being reliant on a crowd.

“We gotta go in with our own juice,” Clifford said. “When we have away games, it’s always how many we have. So, it’s kind of just bringing our own juice. It’s nothing different. We’re going to play every week the same. We just got to bring energy on the sideline.”

The blue and white have not had any issues creating sparks early in games, allowing just seven first-quarter points while scoring 30.

The Nittany Lions have also scored first in the four games this season, and over the last two contests, they have forced nine turnovers.

Daequan Hardy’s interception against Illinois was one of those nine turnovers, and the interception happened just four drives into Hardy’s 2023 season.

Hardy’s return to the secondary was a major boost to the group as he added another key piece and depth to the secondary.

“I feel like when you make a play, you get the team going,” Hardy said. “So, just try to make plays when your name is called. We gotta be the spark.”

Alex Rocco is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email alex.rocco1702@gmail.com.