Penn State's James Franklin pleased with play of his edge rushers, cornerbacks

STATE COLLEGE — White Out week is here, and No. 7 Penn State must deal with Iowa’s stingy defense and its terrific special teams Saturday night at Beaver Stadium.

Both teams are 3-0, and Nittany Lions coach James Franklin was in an expansive mood during his Tuesday news conference, commenting on Micah Parsons’ development, the White Out experience and assessing some positions on PSU’s offense and defense.

“We need the fans to arrive early and be loud, have a full stadium before kickoff,” Franklin said. “Very similar to what we did at West Virginia.”

Penn State dusted the Mountaineers, 38-15, in a season-opening night game played in front of 110,747 at Beaver Stadium.

Franklin expects to see that large of a crowd for Iowa, and the Lions 10th-year coach will probably get his wish.

Here are some takeaways from Franklin’s news conference:

• Penn State’s defensive ends may not have huge numbers after three games, but Franklin believes they have had a big impact.

The Lions’ top three of Chop Robinson, Adisa Isaac and Dani Dennis-Sutton have combined for five tackles for loss but just half a sack.

“I think we’re playing really good team defense,” Franklin said. “Typically what happens is the five turnovers (against Illinois), most of them are a result of quarterbacks getting the ball out of your hands quicker.

“Typically, you’re going to have one or the other. You’re going to have sacks or turnovers. … I think our defense understands and respects, and I know our DBs respect the fact that most of those turnovers came as a result of pressuring the quarterback.”

Penn State intercepted four passes and recovered a fumble in its 30-13 win over Illinois in Champaign.

Isaac has two quarterback hurries and Robinson and Dennis-Sutton each have one.

• The Lions offensive line had issues with the Illinois front four, and Franklin said the Illini’s talent on the defensive side was legit.

Penn State finished with 383 total yards, a number that included 208 passing yards from sophomore quarterback Drew Allar and 164 yards on the ground.

However, Allar completed less than 50% of his throws (48%) and did not throw a touchdown passes. The Lions’ skill players had at least five drops.

Another number to consider was the combined rushing yards for PSU backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen: 24 carries for 91 yards (3.8 average).

“No. 1, I think we’re doing some really good things and we’re playing a lot of guys,” Franklin said when asked about the O-line. “There are signs of being a really physical unit with the offensive line and tight ends.

“I would also say, going back to the film and really in the week leading up to the game, we had a ton of respect for Illinois and their front. I would say after the game we felt the same way. I think they got a real front seven. I think they got some guys up there that can cause a lot of people challenges.”

• Franklin said his cornerback group is playing at a very high level.

Franklin said the impressive play of the corners and the Lions safeties is due in part to the coaching at the positions. Terry Smith oversees the corners, and Anthony Poindexter works with the safeties.

Corners Johnny Dixon, Daequan Hardy and Cam Miller had interceptions vs. Illinois. Linebacker Abdul Carter also intercepted a pass and linebacker Kobe King recovered a fumble.

“The players should get a ton of credit, specifically talking about Cam, Johnny and (Hardy),” Franklin said.

“Obviously, coming into the season and really throughout the season, as well.”

The Lions’ top corner, Kalen King, is viewed as a potential first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But opponents have been avoiding him. King led the Big Ten in pass breakups (18) in 2022 but he has just one in three games this season.

“Kalen, people aren’t throwing at Kalen,” Franklin said. “And that’s a whole ‘nother conversation we can have with the respect that he has earned in this conference but also nationally.”