Penn State Head Coach James Franklin
Opening Statement…
"We always appreciate you guys coming out to cover Penn State football. We talked about the stats we talk about all the time. We won the field position battle. The story of the game was the turnover battle. Four turnovers to zero. We've got to get more points off of those turnovers. That had a huge factor in the game when you talk about time of possession and field position. We did not win the penalty battle. Then the explosive play battle. Although our offense reached their goal, we gave up too many on defense, specifically on third and long. Overall, there hasn't been too many Big Ten teams in the history of the Big Ten to come on the road and get a win in the SEC. So, we're very, very proud of that. I also think we've had a very challenging schedule to open the season. On the road in Big Ten then a home game and then on the road again. This team here has five home games to start the season. So proud of our guys. We will enjoy this win for a couple hours and then get back to work tomorrow."
On improvement along the offensive front…
"We're getting better up front and at tight end. We're doing some things speed-wise to help them. The ability to be more balanced and take pressure off the passing game, I think it's been really important for us. We also have some dynamic backs that help create some explosive plays. Whether that is Keyvone (Lee) or Kaytron (Allen) or Nick (Singleton). Love to see Devyn Ford get in there. Devyn Ford is one of my favorites. I shouldn't have favorites. The way he's handled his entire Penn State career, he's one of our MVPs. He's on special teams right now. Got a nice role on offense and really proud of him."
On limiting Auburn's rushing attack and tackling…
"We emphasize that all week long. We're able to make it one-dimensional, to a degree. Obviously, there's some things that we got to get cleaned up in the passing game. But overall, that was the plan. This quarterback, put him in a position where he has to beat us. I think they did that. They have two guys that are challenging. The starter is 6'7, 250 pounds. He's hard to bring down. We got a bunch of sacks today. It could have been more. But he's hard to bring down. And then the other guys is as dynamic as it gets. The game really played out the way we hoped that would have played out, offensively and defensively."
Landon Tengwall, OL
On set plays for the run game…
"I do not think anything was set specifically. But we came out and established the run and we knew we had the momentum. We knew we needed to take over the game and I think we really did that. When you run for that many yards, that is a great day for an offensive line. Those are things you dream of, watching those big guys running up and down the field. It is really fun to watch, and this was a 29-point win against a national program."
On what statement the win was…
"It was a big win, but we must move on to next week. We are going to celebrate this win tonight, and then we must get back to work tomorrow. We must prepare for next week."
Sean Clifford, QB
On what the win meant to him…
"It was just a great team win. I am just so proud of this team, and I thought we had a good week at practice to prepare. We were confident coming into this game. We just went about our business and that was why I was so happy. Just to be able to see a full team win come full circle. It was passing, rushing, offensive line, defense, and it was just Penn State football."
