STRANGER THINGS
For Penn State football coach James Franklin, the adjustment process and tough decisions continue in wake of odd season
The 2020 college football season was a surreal one, with many disrupted schedules and traditions. Some schools and leagues chose not to participate at all. Penn State and the Big Ten Conference didn’t make a choice to play until the 11th hour.
For the Nittany Lions and head coach James Franklin, these strange decisions and adjustments will continue well into 2021. Franklin addressed these oddities and challenges in a Zoom press conference Monday.
Penn State didn’t play its first game until Oct. 24. The Lions didn’t earn their first victory until Nov. 28. Then they went on a four-game winning streak to salvage a 4-5 record after an 0-5 start.
Weird.
Weirder yet, the Nittany Lions still had an opportunity to go to a bowl game because the pandemic considerations allowed for FBS to lower the qualification standards for a year.
The weirdest part? The team chose not to participate.
So for the first time since the 2013 season — when they were ineligible for bowl games because of NCAA sanctions related to the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse case — they would not be a part of college football’s postseason.
Franklin talked about Penn State’s unprecedented 2020 season and the challenges of trying to keep up with the changing landscape of college football while navigating around all pandemic-related roadblocks.
Here are some of the areas he covered Monday:
New and old identity
At the top of everyone’s list were questions about why Franklin fired offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca after just one season and replaced him with Mike Yurcich.
“I think at the end of the day it was a very tough decision, obviously,” Franklin said, “but philosophically I felt like it was the right
“And that’s kind of where we’re at. This is college football. It’s not going to go back to the way it was. It’s not.”
— James Franklin
town. In some ways, like most young players, it’s important to maintain a positive attitude during times like those.
“I think it was important but at the same time it was my first year,” the 21-year-old Frost said. “I was just focused on getting better every day, I don’t think I was too down about it. Obviously I wanted to be with the Flyers but I try to be positive wherever I am.”
The 20 games he did play with the Flyers were productive from an overall standpoint even if the offense wasn’t where he wanted it to be.
The 6-foot, 180-pound Ontario native should fit in well with his two wingmen.
“I will try to keep things simple,” he said. “I want to make some plays but at the same time be reliable at both ends. Give myself the ability to let the coaches have trust in me to keep me in the lineup.”
Both Kevin Hayes and Claude Giroux are big believers in Frost.
“Frosty, he’s an exciting player,” Hayes said. “He’s a great kid, he works hard. He’s fun to be around. He really wants to learn. I know he wants to be in the lineup every singlenight.Nowhe’sgettingagoodopportunity.Idon’twanttospeakforhimbutI’m sure he’s excited.
“If he plays the right way defensively, he’s going to add some serious offense,” he said.
Added Giroux: “Last year when he played for us, he was great. His hockey IQ is really high. We’re all very excited for him to get back in the lineup. He’s fun to watch so we’re looking forward to it.”
Once the nerves settle down, Frost should be fine. He hasn’t played a game since March 11, so he wants to take it all in before taking chances.
“I feel comfortable,” he said. “I’m just going to do whatever I can to help this team win.”
Cleaning things up
Even though the Flyers outscored the Penguins, 11-5, in the season-opening two-game set, there was an abundance of sloppy play on Philly’s part.
What has to get better?
“Offensively, when you score 11 goals in two games, that’s exactly what you’re looking for,” Hayes said. “But as a team, we need to tighten things up defensively. We talked about it.
“It’s early on. We’ve been lucky enough to get good goaltending but I think we all know we need to be better defensively.”
Goalie rotation
Because the Flyers play the Sabres in back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday, Vigneault said he will split his goaltending assignments.
Carter Hart (2-0, 2.5 goals-against average) will start Monday’s game and Brian Elliott will see his first action of the season on Tuesday.