Nov. 18, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lions (6-4, 2-4) head on the road for the final time during the Big Ten season on Saturday with a trip to Illinois (4-6, 1-5) for a noon kick on ESPN2.
Head coach James Franklin reviewed Saturday's victory over Temple and previewed the matchup against the Fighting Illini on Tuesday afternoon inside the Beaver Stadium Media Room.
Behind a big day on the ground and another dominant effort from the Nittany Lion defense, Penn State powered past Temple on Saturday (30-13). The running back duo of Akeel Lynch and Bill Belton accounted for 222 rushing yards and two touchdowns behind a strong outing from the offensive line.
"I think the offense goes the way the O line goes. I think the defense goes the way the D line goes," said Franklin. "So I'm happy with Akeel (Lynch), and I think Akeel has done some nice things. But we didn't go from Bill (Belton) almost having a hundred yards and Akeel having over a hundred yards in a game because they're doing something different or that Coach Galt got them in the weight room and they're stronger and faster than they were four weeks ago. It's the development and the confidence of the offensive line and getting some of those veteran guys back."
Defensively, the Nittany Lions forced five turnovers and held Temple to 248 total yards. The list of turnovers included a pick-six from freshman cornerback Grant Haley. The defense has been lights out for 10 weeks. Penn State is ranked in the top five in three of the four major defensive categories. The Nittany Lions are No. 1 in the nation against the run (83.1 ypg.), No. 3 in the nation in total defense (265.6 ypg) and No. 4 in the nation in scoring defense (16.2 ppg).
"It's an awesome thing. We're very proud of the accomplishments that they've made," Franklin said. "But ultimately, it's about wins. If we could finish this season going undefeated one week at a time and trade some rankings on defense, we'd do that. We'd do that. I know our defensive players would do that and our defensive coaches would do that. I think for us to do that, we're going to need our defense playing well. So those things go hand in hand. If the statistics work out that way, at the end of the year we'll be excited."
Fielding the second youngest team in the nation, Penn State has had contributions from a host of young talent in 2014. Through 10 games, nine true freshmen have contributed for the Nittany Lions. That includes five on defense, three on offense and one on special teams. Against Temple, there were snaps on defense with three true freshmen lined up in the secondary. And not only have true freshmen played, the group has been instrumental in the team's success on both sides of the ball and on special teams.
Last Saturday's victory marked a special occasion for the Nittany Lion players who were on the roster in July of 2012. Especially for the group of 12 seniors, the sixth win and eligibility to extend the season with a bowl game is a boost. However, the Lions are solely focused on the task at hand this week. The program lives by the motto of one game at a time, and this week as no exception. The focus is on Illinois.
"We're focused on playing Illinois this week at the end of the year," said Franklin. "If people tell us we have an opportunity to go somewhere, we'll be excited about going there. But we're focused on Illinois, and that's how you make sure that you're able to come out and play as consistent as you possibly can week in and week out, by taking it one game at a time."
The Nittany Lions and Illini will meet for the 22nd time on Saturday.
Press Conference Notes
- Head coach James Franklin announced at the beginning of the weekly press conference that senior Ryan Keiser is out of the hospital and on his way back to State College on Tuesday.
- Franklin on the Illinois offense:
"No-huddle, spread offense. I think they've slowed it down a little bit compared to what we saw last year. I think they've slowed it down. They're a balanced attack. They're No. 2 in the Big Ten in passing offense. They're No. 4 in the Big Ten in passing efficiency. They're No. 3 in the Big Ten in completion percentage. Quarterback, Wes Lunt, we've known him for a long time. Actually recruited him. Him getting hurt I think set them back a little bit. He's back now, completing 65 percent of his passes. Excellent thrower."
- Franklin on the Illinois defense:
"They're a 4-3 defense. They'll press you on the outsides. They'll bring inside pressures. They're No. 6 in the Big Ten in fumbles recovered, No. 1 in the Big Ten in defensive touchdowns at three.
- Franklin on the Illinois special teams:
"They do a wide range of things trying to cause deception. Their coverage units do a really good job, and they're No. 8 in the nation in net punting. So, again, that goes back to us talking about field position."