Penn State forced to try to pick apart Memphis in Cotton Bowl
If Penn State football coach James Franklin was disappointed that the Nittany Lions landed in the Cotton Bowl and not the Rose Bowl, he didn’t sound it Sunday.
“It’s an unbelievable opportunity to be in a New Year’s Six game,” Franklin said. “I have never been to the Cotton Bowl before. I’m looking forward to being in Dallas. I’m looking forward to being in Jerry’s World. I’m looking forward to it all.”
No. 10 Penn State (10-2) received an at-large berth to play No. 17 Memphis (121) in the Cotton Bowl Dec.
28 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The Tigers beat Cincinnati 29-24 Saturday to win the American Athletic Conference championship and received the New Year’s Six automatic berth reserved for the highest-ranked team from the so-called Group of Five conferences.
The Nittany Lions will play in their third New Year’s Six bowl game in four years. They missed out on a Rose Bowl berth when the College Football Playoff committee ranked Wisconsin (10-3) at No. 8, two spots ahead of them.
“There’s always a percentage of fans who maybe have different opinions on social media. I think the great majority of our fans couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity. I know our team feels the same way.”
The game will match Franklin, a coach with a new six-year contract extension, against Mike Norvell, a coach who’s accepted a job at Florida State, or his interim replacement, Ryan Silverfield.
Norvell was named the Seminoles coach Sunday and expressed interest in coaching Memphis in the Cotton Bowl. But university officials have yet to announce whether they will allow him to do that.
“We’re happy for Coach Norvell and wish him nothing but the best at Florida State,” Silverfield said. “He certainly deserves all the success that comes his way. We’re moving forward. We’re focused on the bowl game.
“We met with the team today. I was able to speak with them. There seemed to be at least a little bit sense of excitement going to the Cotton Bowl. I think they’ll have the right mindset for this game.”
Penn State will be making its first Cotton Bowl appearance in 45 years and its fourth appearance overall. The Lions and Memphis will be meeting for the first time.
Memphis ranks eighth in the Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring (40.5) and 10th in total offense (480.7). Junior quarterback Brady White, a transfer from Arizona State, is ninth in the FBS in pass efficiency with 33 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. The Tigers’ only loss was a 30-28 decision against Temple in
Philadelphia.
“I’ve watched Memphis on TV a lot this year,” Franklin said. “It’s going to be a tremendous challenge against a very, very talented and confident football team.”
Financial terms of Franklin’s new deal have yet to be announced, but he said he expects that to happen soon.
“They’re just waiting for the final contract to be signed,” he said. “I haven’t actually seen it. I’ve been on the road recruiting while things were being finalized. I’m just waiting for that document to be signed and then it will be announced, from what I understand.”