Penn State coach James Franklin discusses changing agents, Sean Clifford's health

Penn State football coach James Franklin continues to be connected to openings at places such as LSU and USC, and a report Monday that he changed agents added fuel to that fire.

Franklin, however, said that change was not something that happened recently.

“(I’m) completely focused on our season and our team and finding a way to beat Ohio State and be 1-0 this week,” Franklin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. “I’m not gonna get into the details, but what I will tell you is this is being reported now, but this is something that happened over the summer.”

The change Franklin was referencing was switching his representation from Trace Armstrong to Jimmy Sexton. Sexton is a major power broker in college football and represents Nick Saban, Lane Kiffin, Kirby Smart and several other high-profile clients.

Even with the idea of a midseason agent change put to rest, Franklin did not directly answer when asked if he was committed to being the coach at Penn State beyond this season.

“I’ve been asked this question multiple times and my focus is completely on (Ohio State) and this team and this program,” Franklin said. “I think I’ve shown over my eight years my commitment to this university and this community.”

The Penn State coach has used his “1-0” mantra as a way to block out the noise in the past and continues to do that through the latest round of rumors. The intention being to focus solely on the opponent ahead rather than any potential ramifications for big-picture goals or any outside interference with the message.

Franklin’s focus, however, seemed to be slightly off at his weekly news conference, with him twice citing Illinois as the team he was focused on while the Ohio State Buckeyes loom as the next opponent.

The Penn State coach said he and his staff have done their best to keep everything and everyone in the program focused on the next opponent when asked if the outside noise has been an issue.

“It has not been a discussion or an issue that I’ve heard from the staff or the players,” Franklin said. “… We’ve kept it very direct. There’s things that we have discussions on in great detail in our building with our family and the players and the staff. So we try to do that the best we possibly can. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of that over my eight years here.”

Clifford’s status

Redshirt senior starting quarterback Sean Clifford struggled in Penn State’s 20-18 nine-overtime loss to Illinois on Saturday, seemingly in part because of an injury he suffered against Iowa two weeks prior. Clifford struggled to get up several times after taking hits and winced in pain while grabbing at his side once he did get up.

That could be different against Ohio State this week, with Franklin saying he expects his quarterback to be 100% when the team takes the field in Columbus.

“Last week, we weren’t sure,” Franklin said. “We were kind of trying to see where he was going to be at. Sean is much further ahead now to being back to 100%. … We expect to have a 100% Sean Clifford this weekend.”

If Clifford is 100% by kickoff Saturday, it could have a drastic impact on how the team’s offense operates.

The senior quarterback didn’t run well Saturday, and it appeared his ability to throw accurately was affected, as well. Franklin said the quarterback was limited in what he was able to do in the game and that created a challenge for the team against the Illini.

“I think that’s a big part of Sean and what his game is, his ability to extend plays, his ability to keep the defense honest and be able to make a play or two throughout the game where he picks up a first down with his legs,” Franklin said. “He was limited in what he could do and we tried to limit it as much as we could, as well. Obviously, that was a challenge. When you’ve got a guy like Sean and that’s a big part of what he does and how he plays, that being limited obviously impacted him and us.”

Quick hitters

• Franklin said offensive guard Saleem Wormley had worked himself into a starting role prior to the season and losing him before it began was significant.

• Juice Scruggs moved to center and Mike Miranda moved to guard for stretches during the game against Illinois, but Franklin said both can play both spots and different matchups will dictate who plays where.

• Franklin said winning the turnover battle but not scoring enough points — the team had three points off turnovers — off those turnovers was a key factor in the loss to Illinois. Penn State had three takeaways and no giveaways in the game.