That massive Big Ten media deal means every CBS Big Ten football and basketball broadcast will stream live on Paramount+ ... which comes with a VIP subscription to
@Lions247
and
@247Sports
!
Penn State is coming soon to Paramount+. Why wait?
The details:
Passion. Personality. Team captainship as a sophomore. Dean's List honors in the classroom. A young man who went international to chase his dream.
Seems like the complete package as a Penn State student-athlete if you ask me...
Penn State is now 20-3 since October 2016.
All 3 losses occurred away from home. All 3 losses occurred against a ranked opponent. The combined margin of those defeat was 7 points.
James Franklin was 16-14 with PSU before this. He signed a top-5 class last week. Stay tuned...
20-3 since October 2016.
3 losses away from home vs teams that finished season ranked 3rd, 5th and 15th.
Just signed PSU’s highest-rated recruiting class of modern rankings era.
Previously led Vandy to two 9-wins seasons. Otherwise Vandy has won 8+ once since 1956.
#JustSayin
James Franklin was 18-14 at Penn State heading into this game. PSU hadn’t been ranked since 2011.
The Lions are 34-7 the rest of the way, now have nation’s 5th-longest streak in AP Top 25 Poll (49 weeks).
BREAKING: After a long Wednesday, we welcomed our first child on 10/14 at 1:13 AM!
Olive Delilah debuted at nearly eight pounds and is off to an impressive start, with four poops before noon.
Mom absolutely dominated her pregnancy and is on the mend.
Dad is so, so, so in love.
Penn State fans — it's Game 3 of the 2022 season and I just heard this on a CBS SEC broadcast.
"I gotta be honest. It's been a while since we've seen a team come into Jordan-Hare and run the ball like this."
Six programs have finished Top 15 in final College Football Playoff rankings each of the last three years.
Those teams, and their average ranking:
Clemson (1.7)
Alabama (2)
Oklahoma (4.3)
Ohio State (4.7)
Washington (8)
Penn State (8.7)
Penn State DE Smith Vilbert (three sacks today) on Arkansas QB / Outback Bowl MVP KJ Jefferson:
"I've never seen a quarterback like that. His size and his speed at the same time. He was just a unique type of player."
Two years ago, Micah Parsons became the top-rated Penn State recruit in 13 years.
Today, he became the program's first sophomore to earn AP first-team All-American status in 21 years.
So, yeah, that transition to linebacker worked out well.
We've seen Penn State in the two heavyweight fights of its season. Hard not reach this conclusion...
This PSU offense, led by a 3rd-year coordinator, the 5-star QB he recruited and a lot of returning talent was NOT ready for primetime in 2023.
Fair or not, that’s team-defining.
Penn State RB Miles Sanders arrived as a 5-star recruit in 2016. His opportunity awaits when Saquon Barkley heads to NFL.
James Franklin compared him to Aaron Rodgers behind Brett Favre (he was on Packers staff then).
What advice has Barkley given him? "Leave me some records."
I left a CFB job at 21 years old, packed my car and drove to LA for a shot in sports media.
This profession made me feel like wanderer. Then, this summer, PSU fans cared if I stayed. Yesterday, so did colleagues, coaches and players.
I believe I’ve found a home in Happy Valley.
Penn State QB Sean Clifford just returned to the Rose Bowl field, took a knee in the end zone, looked outward for a while, then left.
He was still wearing his shoulder pads. The game ended about 100 minutes ago.
That's a wrap on college snaps for the four-time team captain.
Indiana coach Tom Allen on Trace McSorley:
"I'll tell you what, I tried to find him afterward. I wanted to just shake his hand. ... Glad I'm not going to see him again because he's a tough, tough kid."
Strong postgame comments from Penn State TE Theo Johnson...
"It didn't come down to who was more talented, or who had more stars, or who had the better scheme.
It really just came down to who beat themselves, and I think that we beat ourselves in turning the ball over today."
For Penn State fans feeling particularly grumpy about the Villanova game, I've got your solution (no, not an overnight run-game fix)...
Look at those CFB scores from Saturday. Embarrassing losses and near-upsets across America.
4-0 with a 35-point 4th-quarter lead ain't so bad.
James Franklin says Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton are the first Penn State teammates with 2,000 career rushing yards apiece since Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell (1971).
For folks who are very upset about projected top-10 NFL draft pick Olu Fashanu sitting out of the Peach Bowl, I encourage you to remember that he gave Penn State 12 more games than pretty much everyone on campus expected.
Penn State AD Sandy Barbour: "It's no coincidence that we only had one positive test in football season, and we know that was contracted outside of football. It was because James led the way, James modeled the behavior, James held them accountable, and the guys all bought in."
Roberson carries freshman eligibly. Maybe he has some good days ahead in CFB, but this was a MESS for QB2.
7/21 for 34 yards, 2 INTs, drive-killing overthrows, 8 false starts.
Penn State led 17-3 before Clifford exit. Staff has gotta live with what their Plan B looked like.
James Franklin is asked if No. 4 Penn State is/can be the best team in college football...
"I just want to beat Indiana. ... Saturday night, we can have another discussion about where we sit in the college football hierarchy. Then I'll probably give you another boring answer."
Four years ago,
#PennState
hired
@coachjfranklin
25 days before National Signing Day.
The "scramble" that ensued resulted in a 2014 recruiting class that has left an indelible mark on an evolving Nittany Lions narrative.
Take a look back:
Drew Allar is talking back to defenders and being verbally fired up in a way I don't recall seeing from him as a sophomore.
We've been wondering if there'd be subtle (or not-so-subtle) changes in his demeanor this autumn, and the earliest looks indicate that's the case.
This is the best news I've ever reported on here:
My godson Parker is officially CANCER FREE following a 4-month battle featuring intensive chemo treatment and surgery.
Parker turns 1 year old in March and he's already a warrior. THANK YOU for the love and support from many!
James Franklin found both of his new coordinators before Signing Day, then signed a 25-man class this morning without a whiff of drama.
Massive items checked off a complicated postseason to-do list.
Penn State WR Jahan Dotson: "We're not as one right now. We're not a unit right now. ... There are distractions that we shouldn't be focused on right now. We've got to be focused on getting in the win column, nothing else. ... We're not a good football team right now."
I know people want explosive numbers from Sean Clifford and the Penn State offensive attack under Mike Yurcich but, today, one stat was going to stand out above the rest for QB1: turnovers.
Clifford posted a zero in the giveaway department this week. In that setting.
No Penn State player rushed for 40+ yards multiple times in a single game between Larry Johnson (2002) and Nick Singleton.
Singleton has now done it in consecutive weeks...
Halfway through high school,
@CaziahHolmes
accepted a challenge.
"I told myself I'm the best RB in the country. I watched
@saquon
at that time, heard his story, and it was kind of similar."
Two years later, he is PSU's first
#26
on offense since Barkley:
Weekly reminder: Virginia Tech did not have Jordan Stout on scholarship before he bolted.
I have a hard time imagining anyone added a more impressive special teams weapon this offseason.
In Game 3, he owns PSU record for field goal distance (57) and single-game touchbacks (13).
KJ Hamler, who led Penn State in receptions as a redshirt freshman, is asked about the Lions' season-long issue with drops on final question of his postgame media session.
"It won't happen again," he answered.
Why?
"It won't happen again."
We've heard about a "selfless" Penn State backfield all season.
Noah Cain led the Lions in rushing yards through 7 games, made his 1st career start in Game 8, then suffered an injury.
Here is Cain (92 yards, 2 TDs) discussing Journey Brown (202 yards, 2 TDs) after Cotton Bowl:
Updated look at who has scored Penn State offensive touchdowns (47 total) through 10 games based on their year of college eligibility...
Seniors: 3
Juniors: 1
Sophomores: 32
Freshmen: 11
Franklin on controversial overturned Freiermuth TD: "I'd love to have a lengthy conversation about this. I know our fans want me to. It's not gonna do any good. I'm gonna focus on the win and things we can control."
Penn State has won eight straight games.
During that span, the Nittany Lions' narrowest margin of victory is 14 points (vs
#8
Utah in Rose Bowl).
Penn State has scored 30+ each game. Only Utah (21) has scored more than 16 points vs PSU along the way.
James Franklin: "I thought Wednesday we did not have a good practice. I think they're getting patted on the back, I think they're reading articles, and we'll make sure that there's no leftovers of that come Sunday. I'll make sure that we clear all those things out of the fridge."
Drew Allar showed up after Ohio State loss and spoke through tears in postgame media session. Saw same from Sean Clifford and Trace McSorley in years past.
Never made the mistake of thinking they did it for us. It was for their teammates, several of whom also had to face media.
During Penn State's defensive coordinator search, James Franklin and Anthony Poindexter had “several conversations” about the job. Ultimately, Tom Allen was hired.
How did Poindexter respond to that development?
Here's his answer:
Interim Penn State defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter's message to soon-to-be full-time DC Tom Allen during Peach Bowl prep:
"Wherever you can lend a hand, lend a hand. We don't have egos that way. ... Chime in whenever you think it's needed."
Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith after his first 100-yard game, including an 88-yard TD:
“I always knew what I could do. It was just a matter of time before the media, the world would find out. Being on this stage was a great opportunity, and I feel like I capitalized on it.”
We’ve gone from “White Out…energy” to “Wear White” in a span of 48 hours.
Sure seems like Penn State’s (first) White Out is about to happen six weeks ahead of schedule.
Penn State RBs Coach Ja'Juan Seider:
"Let's be honest; call a spade a spade. A healthy Sean Clifford in that Iowa game and Illinois game, it's a different story, right? I know people don't want to hear that, but that's the freaking truth, and I'll stick to it."
So thrilled to share I will add "Dad" to my job description next football season!
Hill and I are over-the-moon excited to welcome our first child this fall. Baby girl should be joining the party before Penn State's bye week.
James Franklin during opening statement of weekly Penn State press conference:
"We go to Illinois, which is a tradition around here — opening on the road in the Big Ten. We love it."
PSU begins Big Ten play on the road for the eighth straight season and 13th time in 14 years.
This is not a legit quote. Kobe King has not been available to media this week.
That
@Lane_Kiffin
would retweet this troll account the night before a game is disappointing from a leader of young men.
Kobe King is team captain material. It’s not right to blow him up like this.
Personal update...
Grateful to share I’ve signed a contract extension with
@CBS
that keeps me with
@247Sports
through the 2024 football season!
Thanks to
@kryan247
and
@CoxBytes
for their confidence and support;
@seanfitz247
and
@MarkXBrennan
for being All-American teammates.
Just heard from Rico Smith, the father of 5-star linebacker and top-ranked Penn State recruit
@brand0n_smith12
.
"We just completed the NLI and made it official. Looking forward to the next chapter!"
The future of Nittany Lions'
#LBU
legacy just became a bit brighter.
Penn State set to face Ohio State without at least the following guys previously expected to factor into game:
- RB Journey Brown (Cotton Bowl MVP)
- RB Noah Cain (set freshman rushing TD record)
- LB Micah Parsons (All-American)
- LB Jesse Luketa (starter; captain out 1st half)
Pat Freiermuth formally announces top-five tight end prospect Theo Johnson as an official signee.
James Franklin: "You've gotta give Pat credit because he got up at like 6:30 for this."
"He clearly didn't get in. It was a blatant mistake by replay. It's the second one of the day that's been a huge mistake by them." - FOX analyst Joel Klatt on the CJ Donaldson touchdown.
Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith is one of several players who referenced recent history vs Iowa during postgame discussions.
“I would just say we knew what was at stake. We knew what happened a few years ago. We just locked in. We put a great week of preparation together.“
SIGNING DAY: The city girl and the kid from the coast have officially found a home in Happy Valley.
We’re proud to complete this crazy year as first-time house owners!
#Adulting
Devyn Ford, who lost his brother last week and was not with Penn State for Michigan game, on rejoining the team:
"It's just like family. This team put their arms around me. That's the kind of players they are, the kind of people they are, the kind of coaches they are."
Penn State AD Pat Kraft was asked about James Franklin.
"I want to make sure that he has every resource available to go win a national championship. ... We're going to be elite and we're going to win a national championship because I believe he does everything the right way."
LB Kobe King is among players who referenced an emotional postgame message from Theo Johnson, rallying around James Franklin & showing their appreciation for the Penn State coach.
“There’s a lot on Coach Franklin’s shoulders. … He does a lot that goes unseen. I love that guy.”
Last season, five Penn State scholarship running backs collectively totaled 1,145 rushing yards (4 per carry) and six touchdowns.
This season, Penn State freshmen Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton combined for 1,928 rushing yards (6 per carry) and 25 touchdowns.
Penn State gets Sean Clifford back, wins the turnover battle (3-0), surrenders 38 passing yards in regulation...
... and loses to 2-5 Illinois after failing to reach the end zone for an 8th time in 9 OT sessions.
Nightmare.
Franklin has high praise for the development of sophomore linebacker Micah Parsons -- as an athlete, student, teammate.
He says Parsons routinely seeks extra time in the offices of Franklin and defensive coordinator Brent Pry.
Parsons led the team in tackles as a true freshman.
Penn State QB Sean Clifford when asked about Buckeyes 10/31 trip in Beaver Stadium: “To be honest with you, I didn’t even know we had Ohio State in Week 2. All I care about is Indiana right now.”
Nolan Rucci, Drew Shelton, Anthony Donkoh, J’ven Williams, Chimdy Onoh, Alex Birchmeier, Garrett Sexton, Cooper Cousins.
All were considered 5-star/4-star prospects. All have the potential to compete for Penn State tackle jobs in next couple years.
Phil Trautwein — take a bow.
In two games coming out of the bye week as Penn State offensive coordinator, Mike Yurcich's attack produced two total touchdowns in eight quarters and nine overtime periods.
Personal bye-week news...
I've signed a contract extension with
@247Sports
/
@CBS
that keeps me on a rocket ship that continues to rise.
Couldn't ask for better teammates than
@seanfitz247
and
@MarkXBrennan
.
Thanks for reading, listening, caring, and giving this NJ guy a shot.
Penn State limited Michigan State to 68 yards tonight - best mark since 9/23 shutout win over Big Ten West champion Iowa (76). Third shutout of 2023.
7 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, eight forced 3-and-outs.
Manny Diaz, take a bow (and prepare for a pay raise one way or another).
Ran into this guy on the field and he's pretty excited, with good reason!
Future
#PennState
DE
@JaysonOweh
discusses his silent signing,
@SpenceChaos
' Wild Dogs, and championship plans in Happy Valley.