Nov. 25, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State (6-5, 2-5) returns home for the final regular season game of 2014 on Saturday against No. 8 Michigan State (9-2, 6-1). The Lions and Spartans are set to collide in a Senior Day showdown at 3:30 p.m. (ABC).
Head coach James Franklin previewed the matchup against the Spartans on Tuesday afternoon inside the Beaver Stadium Media Room.
Saturday will be a special day for 17 seniors on the roster. A group that has been through seemingly everything during its time on campus will be honored prior to kickoff. A senior class that stuck with the program during some of its toughest times deserves a tremendous ovation from the Nittany Lion fans.
"I think what we've been through the last three years and what these guys have meant, how they've stuck with this university and the football program and the community as well have been tremendous leaders, have been tremendous ambassadors both on and off the field and in the classroom," Franklin said. "It's significant. I think everybody in our program, all the players kind of look up to them, which is typically the case in most programs. But I think it's magnified, obviously, from what they've been through."
Six of Penn State's seven captains for 2014 are seniors. The lone exception is sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Coach Franklin said that the captains met with him in his office on Saturday evening following the Illinois game. It's a group of senior players that is incredibly passionate about the program in every sense of the program.
"We sat there for probably at least an hour talking about a lot of different things," Franklin said. "They've been awesome. I think it's probably like this in a lot of professions, but you get frustrated or disappointed and you're going through some challenges or adversity. As long as you're surrounded with really good people that care and are committed, you can talk through it, you feel better. I know they made me feel better. Gave me some perspective on some things, really valuable. I think these seniors have been unbelievable. I know myself as well as the rest of the staff and the young guys look up to him and are very, very thankful."
Mike Hull will be one of the 17 players honored on Saturday. With every fiber of his body, Hull embodies what this class and Penn State Football stands for. A tremendous individual off the field, Hull has put together one of the best seasons by any linebacker in school history. Hull enters the final week of the regular season with 121 tackles (11.0 tpg), which ranks seventh in the nation.
Hull is excited for the challenge to compete against a superb offense in his final game at Beaver Stadium.
"Yeah, it's definitely going to be a fun atmosphere. It's going to be a great challenge," Hull said. "That's what we like especially defensively. Want to keep our team in this game and give us every chance of winning. We're just going to have to step up and it's going to be a really fun time."
While every game on the schedule is treated the same when it comes to the squad's preparation, this week's Senior Day buildup adds an extra element of anticipation for Franklin and the underclassmen. The Nittany Lions want to send the group of 17 on a high.
"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 Spartans will meet for the 29th time on Saturday.
Press Conference Notes
- Franklin on the Michigan State offense:
"Great experience, seven starters, multiple pro offense, very balanced. Again, one of the things that jumps out to you, their quarterback is having a great year, but he's playing behind a really, really strong, physical, massive offensive line that does a great run game and also does a great job protecting them as well. That allows them to be balanced. No. 6 in the nation in scoring offense, No. 7 in the nation in total offense, No. 11 in fewest turnovers. No. 1 in the Big Ten in passing offense. Connor Cook is having a great year. Running back Jeremy Langford is having a really, really good year, and then you've got wide receiver, No. 14, Tony Lippett is having a great year as well."
- Franklin on the Michigan State defense:
"They're a 4-3 team. Quarters in the secondary with two run support safeties and they press you on the outside. You're pretty much one on one because those safeties are run players. Probably the most similar defense that I've seen to Alabama in terms of body type and model. Their offense, defense, and special teams are very specific about what they're looking for, long, athletic guys. D-line is really long, linebackers are long. You look at the DBs and almost everybody is over six foot. They run to the ball extremely well. They're very physical. They're No. 1 in the nation in turnover margin, number three in the nation in turnover gains recovered. No. 8 in the nation in rushing defense, and No. 15 in sacks. No. 1 in the Big Ten in defensive touchdowns. They've forced 61 three-and-outs. This is a good defense we're facing."
- Franklin on the Michigan State special teams:
"Special teams in Coach Tressel. They're number 8 in the Big Ten in punting. Long, rangy, consistent with their schemes. Been very, very impressed with what they do as well."