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Franklin glad Kotelnicki is staying put

Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki watches warmups before an NCAA college football game between Penn State and Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Following are the highlights of James Franklin’s pre-SMU press conference on Monday:

Saturday’s game: vs. SMU in first round of the College Football Playoff at Beaver Stadium. Winner meets Boise State on Dec. 31 in the Fiesta Bowl

Kickoff: Noon

TV: TNT

Records: Penn State (11-2), SMU (11-2).

Odds: Penn State is an 8.5-point favorite.

Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 6 in the CFP. SMU is No. 11.

Series: Penn State leads, 1-0-1.

Last meeting: Penn State won, 26-21, in 1978

Kotelnicki staying put

Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki was involved with the head-coaching vacancy at West Virginia but issued a statement last week that he’s returning to PSU. (The WVU job has since been filled by Rich Rodriguez for a second stint in Morgantown.)

“Consistency on our staff is really important but hard to do in the current college football landscape,” Franklin said. “It’s also a compliment and a curse. We keep losing staff to go be head coaches, or they leave here and then go one other stop and then become a head coach.

“At the end of the day, are you happy? Are you doing it at a good place with good people and can you win? I think Andy and his family feel like we’re in a really good position, and he can wait and take the right job. There’s power in that.”

Kotelnicki called it an “easy decision.”

“I enjoy coach Franklin, our offensive staff is elite and just what’s going on here,” he said.

Scouting SMU

The Mustangs can score.

They finished sixth in the country, averaging 38.5 points per game.

“(Coach) Rhett Lashlee has done a really, really good job,” Franklin said. “You look at his background as an offensive coordinator and what he’s been able to do in a short period of time at SMU is cool.”

Quarterback Kevin Jennings is a dual-threat weapon.

“They go as he goes,” Franklin said.

SMU’s top weapons are running back Brashard Smith, a Miami transfer, and receiver Roderick Daniels.

Franklin also complimented the Mustangs’ defense, which is first in the ACC in rush defense and fourth nationally.

While Penn State only has nine players from the transfer portal, SMU has 48.

“The way they’re constructed is a little bit different than the way we’re constructed,” Franklin said. “Obviously, when you’re taking over a program now in college football, it’s a very different build in terms of how you build your roster.”

The reigning ACC coach of the year, Lashlee is 29-11 in his third season at SMU. He previously served as the offensive coordinator at Miami for two seasons (2020-21) under Manny Diaz.

Monday’s press conference focused on quarterback news – Drew Allar returning and backup Beau Pribula entering the transfer portal. Franklin addressed it at length but said further sessions this week would focus only on SMU, which he repeated a half-dozen times.

Crowd boost

Franklin has been angling for cold weather to chill SMU and also hopes the home crowd makes its presence felt.

“We’re going to need this place rocking,” he said. “Obviously, a different situation at this time of the year and having a home game, which we appreciate. I think every program in the country was battling to either have a bye week in the playoffs to start the playoffs or a home game, and we were able to accomplish one of those two. So (we’re) excited about the opportunity.”

O-line love

Franklin praised the play of his offensive line and kidded about transfer tackle Nolan Rucci, saying, “he’s thriving,” since transferring from Wisconsin.

“He’s also doing really well academically,” he said. “Maybe the most amazing thing, he’s got a beautiful, intelligent girlfriend. I don’t know how he pulled that off … he’s doing great in every area.”

He also joked that guard Sal Wormley, who will make his 40th start Saturday, “came with me from Vanderbilt (11 years ago).”

Parking for sale

Penn State announced Monday night that parking passes for Saturday’s game are now being made available to the public starting at $106. Go to gopsusports.com for details.

Starting at $2.99/week.

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