UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State's season-opener against West Virginia is just days away. The Nittany Lions are slated to take on the Mountaineers for the first time since 1992.
A matchup over 30 years in the making, Penn State is also set to make its return to NBC for the first time since 2006. NBC is set for its first ever broadcast at Beaver Stadium as the stadium's electric atmosphere will be on full display to a national audience on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.
Touching on a number of topics about the state of the roster and everything in between, head coach James Franklin fielded questions from the media Tuesday afternoon.
Cam Miller Emerging
Hailing from Fernandina Beach, Florida, sophomore cornerback Cam Miller has caught the attention of his coaches for consistently making a habit of doing the little things right while committing to improve off last year's solid play.
Playing alongside a pair of veteran corners in junior Kalen King and senior Johnny Dixon, Miller has emerged as an impact player in that group, earning the trust and respect of his teammates.
Franklin identified Miller as a key underclassman who can make an impact on defense and special teams. Franklin said Miller was playing with "confidence" and outlined how he's "proud" of the young defensive back.
"He's just a very driven, motivated, high production, low maintenance young man that is maximizing his Penn State experience," Franklin said. "He's a guy that I think is going to probably start on four units on special teams, which I think is very telling. I think he's a young man that's gonna play a bunch for us on defense as well. He's a guy that's really earned everybody's respect within the program."
An Unmatched Environment
With Penn State and Big 12 foe West Virginia reigniting a once yearly tradition, the Nittany Lions look to continue their dominance against the Mountaineers and improve a 48-9-2 record all time against them.
A rich history set to be reunited under the bright lights of Beaver Stadium Saturday night on NBC, a 'helmet stripe' game will take center stage as a stadium of fans draped in predominantly white will create a "sneaky white out" as Franklin noted.
Recognizing how the program doesn't take the unmatched support for granted, Franklin outlined how Beaver Stadium creates an unmatched environment and a place that portrays one the best college football has to offer.
"It'll be a great environment," Franklin said. "Literally the place will be filled to capacity with Penn State fans and a few West Virginia fans as well. We know they'll travel well. There'll be great tailgating. This will be a really good example on week one of why college football is so special," Franklin said.
The Men in the Middle Making a Mark
Despite the departure of key impact veteran PJ Mustipher to the NFL, the defensive tackle room continues to build off the momentum it sustained at the closing stages of last season.
A room with a plethora of leadership and experience, Franklin noted the group of tackles as a "three-deep" position. He also outlined how the depth at the position has been a rewarding aspect and has allowed the defensive line as a whole to be more well-rounded.
Calling redshirt sophomore Jordan van den Berg "one of the most improved guys on our roster," Franklin was impressed by the offseason work from the offensive lineman and shared how size and confidence will play a key role.
"When you look at Zane Durant, Dvon Ellies, Kaleb Artis, Hakeem Beamon, Jordan van den Berg and Coziah [Izzard], that's six guys there, and there's others that there's confidence in," Franklin said. "We are bigger at that position. I think we're more confident in fundamentals and techniques. I think we have a much better understanding of the defense and how Manny [Diaz] wants it executed and played."
