Penn State football notebook | Adjustments before the White Out

Penn State has opened the 2023 campaign with a 3-0 start, but it faces its toughest test this weekend against No. 24 Iowa.

James Franklin met with the media on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss some of the biggest storylines entering the White Out.

Here are several key takeaways from Franklin’s media availabilities.

Takeaways from the road

Three days after Penn State’s 30-13 victory over Illinois, James Franklin awarded Hunter Nourzad on offense, Malik McClain on special teams and six different players on defense as they helped cause five turnovers on Saturday.

Onto the positive notes that Franklin had from the game, he stated that they are “experts” at winning on the road against a Big Ten team. Franklin talked about how great it has been to get depth players into the games and how the turnover margin has been a big cause of their early success.

“Five turnovers on defense, four interceptions and a fumble recovery,” Franklin said. “Everyone is talking about that, and that is deservedly so, but also the fact that we had zero turnovers on offense is just as important.”

Franklin boasted about the shutout that the Nittany Lions had in the third quarter and zero points that the defense has given up all season long. However, not everything went according to the Head Coach’s plan.

“We focus on the pre-snap penalties, which to me are focus penalties and then the post-snap penalties that are discipline penalties,” Franklin said. “There are going to be penalties that happen during a play. I don’t like any of them, but you can live with them. The pre-snap focus and post-snap discipline are ones that we have to eliminate.”

Players Past and Present

Trace McSorley and Grant Haley are back in Happy Valley as the honorary captains for the White Out game. Franklin announced that the former quarterback and cornerback were the captains versus Iowa on Tuesday.

“They’re actually in the weight room right now getting a workout in,” Franklin said at the podium. “It’s great to see them. They are beloved in Penn State history, in my opinion. I know they are in this building.”

Not only are two former Penn Staters coming back to Beaver Stadium, but also guys like Micah Parsons who have come back to talk with the players and get them ready.

“He came and spoke to the team two weeks ago, just did a phenomenal job talking about the game and Penn State,” Franklin said. “I loved how he embraced the whole Penn State experience…I’m proud of him. He’s growing up to be a really well-rounded individual.”

Nothing like the White Out

“We are very appreciative of having one of the best environments in all of sports,” Franklin said. “We are very appreciative of the White Out and what it means for this community and the state and really for college football.”

On Saturday, Penn State is set to host its 15th White Out in program history. Franklin called on the fans and players on the field to take in 30 seconds of the White Out to really appreciate it and understand the meaning of it all.

“Not only is it impactful for us, you think about how many of our guys talk about their recruiting process and how the White Out had a big impact on it,” Franklin said after practice on Wednesday. “A ton of recruits on official, unofficial visits, and I think that this is an opportunity that the other sports use to show the atmosphere and community that we have here…this is the type of support that you are going to get.”

Top 25 Big Ten matchup

As it puts Illinois behind them, No. 7 Penn State hosts Iowa for its annual White Out game. Franklin has a ton of respect for Iowa’s head coach, Kirk Ferentz, for his 25 years as the head coach and how unusual it is to see a coach stay at a place for that long of a period.

Franklin then listed the Iowa offense as a “multiple pro system,” with multiple personal groups, motions and play types. Franklin listed Leshon Williams, Jaziun Patterson and Erick All as players to keep an eye on this Saturday.

Onto the defensive side of the ball, Franklin mentioned time and time again how Iowa’s defense has been at the top of its game throughout the years while keeping the same “base defense.”

“They do what they do, and they do it extremely well and have been doing it a long time,” Franklin said. “Whether it is 2003 or 2014, you put the tape on, and it’s Iowa playing Iowa defense the way they play it. Again, at an impressively high level.”

With Iowa ranked in the top 25 at No. 24, this will be the first time Penn State faces a ranked opponent this season, which Franklin said he is ready for.

“Looking forward to the opportunity to play against the University of Iowa,” Franklin said. “Should be another great game between two historic and respected Big Ten programs.”

Micheal Bolger is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email mpb6233@psu.edu.