ARLINGTON, Texas – The Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten Conference) resumed preparations for their upcoming clash with Memphis (12-1, 7-1 American Athletic Conference) with a two-hour practice Tuesday afternoon at AT&T Stadium.
The Nittany Lions' first experience at AT&T Stadium was productive and efficient, as Head Coach James Franklin kept the intensity, energy and focus at a high level. In addition to getting to work out for the first time on the home field of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, the Nittany Lions also enjoyed a visit from former Penn State star Connor McGovern, now a rookie offensive guard for the Cowboys.
A native of Larksville, Pennsylvania, and a third round selection of the Cowboys in 2019, McGovern played three seasons in Happy Valley. McGovern saw action at both guard and center over the course of his Penn State career, registering 34 starts and earning third-team All-Big Ten honors as a junior in 2018. After that season, McGovern elected to forgo his senior season to declare his eligibility for the NFL Draft.
"I think the program is obviously on an upward trajectory and the Cotton Bowl is just another example of where the program is headed," said McGovern. "Coach Franklin hammers on core values every day – positive attitude, great work ethic, compete in everything you do and must be willing to sacrifice. Those are things that stick with you throughout your daily experience in the program and, really, become part of your life after you move on."
Nearing the end of his first year in the Lone Star State, McGovern told his former teammates to be ready to experience the Cotton Bowl's unparalleled hospitality and the unmatched passion for football in Texas.
"I still talk to the guys quite often, and I told them everything (about the Cotton Bowl experience) is going to blow them out of the water," said McGovern. "Penn State is the pinnacle of college football, facility-wise, then you get here and it's another world."
This year's game provides McGovern, and his extended family, a chance to reengage with his alma mater; an opportunity he is cherishing this week.
"I had dinner with a couple of the guys last night, showed them a true Texas steakhouse," said McGovern. "(The Cowboys) play the day after the Cotton Bowl, so my parents always come in for every home game, my brother lives in Oklahoma and he's coming in with his family, so I got everyone tickets for the (Goodyear Cotton Bowl) game. Everyone will reunite with the Penn State family, and then go to our game on Sunday. It's gonna be great."
Tonight, the Nittany Lions will join the rest of the Penn State travel party for a private Christmas Eve team function at their headquarters hotel. Tomorrow morning, the team and the travel party will enjoy Christmas breakfast together before resuming game preparations with a Wednesday afternoon practice at AT&T Stadium. Media will be allowed to view a portion of the Christmas Day workout, which is closed to the public.
The 84th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is Saturday, Dec. 28 at 11 a.m. CST on ESPN. Kickoff is slated for 11:05 a.m.
Leading into the two College Football Playoff semifinal broadcasts, this year's Classic is a part of the ESPN bowl lineup for the sixth straight year. Mark Jones and Dusty Dvoracek are set to the call the action from the booth with Olivia Dekker reporting from the sidelines.
ESPN Radio returns as the Classic's national radio partner for the eighth consecutive year with Brad Sham and Jordan Rodgers in the booth and Kris Budden on the sidelines to describe all the action from AT&T Stadium.
