Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton (10) gains yardage against Kent State linebacker Canaan Williams (10) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Following are the highlights of James Franklin’s Monday press conference:

Saturday’s game: at USC (3:30 p.m., CBS)

Records: Penn State (5-0), USC (3-2)

Odds: Penn State is a 4.5-point favorite.

Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 4 by the Associated Press. USC fell out of the Top 25 but received votes and would be ranked No. 26.

SUBHD: Singleton update

Franklin usually doesn’t discuss injured players, unless they’re ruled out for the season, but he did say he expects standout tailback Nick Singleton to play.

Singleton was a late scratch against UCLA this past Saturday after getting hurt the previous week vs. Illinois.

He didn’t practice last Tuesday or Wednesday and was limited Thursday and Friday. He warmed up Saturday, “but he wasn’t 100 percent,” Franklin said.

“He was close,” he said. “As long as we don’t have any setbacks, we’re very confident he’ll be ready to go.”

SUBHD: Travel schedule

To help acclimate to the time change, Penn State is leaving Thursday.

The Nittany Lions will fly out of Harrisburg, and Franklin used the opportunity to stump for a runway extension at the State College Airport to accommodate larger planes.

“We can’t get out of here (on one plane) unless we would stop for fuel,” he said, citing limitations due to the size and weight of a larger plane. “That’s one of the things we have to discuss (in the future) – increasing the size of the airport for a lot of reasons, for the university, for the community, for businesses, for the athletic department, for us.”

UCLA flew in two smaller planes and landed in State College on Friday afternoon and then flew home in a larger plane from Harrisburg.

“You add two hours (to Harrisburg) to a five-and-a-half hour flight, and it’s pretty much all day,” Franklin said.

The Lions will practice in Los Angeles on Friday. Kickoff on Saturday is at 12:30 Pacific time and 3:30 p.m. in the East.

Penn State’s equipment moving van departed Sunday night.

SUBHD: Scouting the Trojans

USC lost at Minnesota, 24-17, on Saturday night when the Gophers punched in the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard run in the last minute.

Their other loss came at Michigan, 27-24. The Trojans opened the season with a 27-20 win over LSU in Las Vegas. They’ve also beaten Utah State (48-0) and Wisconsin (38-21).

Lincoln Riley is 22-10 in his third season at Southern Cal after going 55-10 in five seasons at Oklahoma.

Riley “has a history of doing really good things across his career,” Franklin said. “USC is USC. Tremendous tradition and history. We have a ton of respect for what they do offensively.”

Franklin called the game, “a great opportunity for us.”

He singled out quarterback Miller Moss and receiver-kick returner Zachariah Branch.

Former PSU defensive back D’Anton Lynn is USC’s defensive coordinator, having switched over from UCLA after last season.

SUBHD: Slow starts

The Lions have only scored 21 points in the first quarter this year and have been shutout twice (against Kent State and West Virginia).

Franklin said the team scripts its first couple series, like most schools, but he’s still seeking better results.

They’ve emphasized high-percentage early throws and getting the ball to the top playmakers.

“We’ve spent a lot of time talking about it as a staff, and it’s part of your walk-through,” he said. “We understand how important it is, and there’s nothing we want more than (to start well in) all three phases. We’ve done it some games on offense, some games on defense and some games on special teams. It sure would be beneficial to do it in all three phases, which I don’t think we’ve done (at once) yet this year.”

SUBHD: Praiseworthy …

N Franklin called Zane Durant (No. 28) “as disruptive” a defensive tackle as the Lions have had in recent years.

N New placekicker Ryan Barker, a walk-on, has impressed the staff with his even disposition and, Franklin said, “a high percentage of his field goals are right down the middle.”

N In case UCLA coach DeShaun Foster is undecided on his starting quarterback, Franklin mentioned, “I think they found a quarterback (Justyn Martin). For a freshman, he’s a big kid, athletic and poised.”

SUBHD: Notable …

N Following their trip to USC, the Lions are idle next week before visiting Wisconsin on Oct. 26. Kickoff time has not yet been confirmed.