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

Saturday’s game: vs. Florida International (Noon, BTN)

Records: Penn State (1-0), Florida International (1-0)

Odds: Penn State is a 42.5-point favorite.

Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 2 by the Associated Press.

Series: Penn State leads, 1-0

First-game review

The film review of the Lions’ 46-11 win over Nevada didn’t change much of Franklin’s opinion that he watched with the naked eye.

He felt the Lions missed some blocks, which led to field-goal opportunities rather than touchdowns and “made the game more difficult than it needed to be.”

He also didn’t think some backups on defense played as well as they could have.

But overall, given a new defensive coordinator (Jim Knowles), he was satisfied.

“I was pleased with an early-season game and how clean things were and how organized we were,” he said. “We had no issues that you see a ton of early games in a season with burning timeouts, substitution issues … those types of things. We didn’t really have any of those.”

The Nits did not give up a touchdown until the waning seconds and while Franklin said “we hate that,” it was offset by the reserve defenders getting important snaps.

“Those reps will be valuable,” he said.

He was especially pleased that 73 players saw action, many of the backups getting double-figure snaps.

Scouting FIU

Florida International opened with a 42-9 win over Bethune-Cookman.

Franklin admitted the staff is just getting familiar with the Panthers.

“It’s early in the season and early in the week,” he said.

Head coach Willie Simmons is in his first season after being head coach at Florida A&M (2018-23) and then spent the 2024 season on Manny Diaz’s staff at Duke.

Franklin said he’s known Simmons for a long time and predicted “he’ll do a really good job.”

FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins is the preseason player of the year in Conference USA.

The Panthers have 20 starters returning and took 25 players in the transfer portal.

SUBHD: Being a fan

Franklin said his postgame routine includes retreating to his house after games, making small talk with family and friends for a few minutes and then hitting his basement to watch games.

This past weekend featured some potential future (playoff) opponents so he was especially interested.

He said he doesn’t “want to be anti-social” and apologized “for the visual” but added he’s sometimes “in my boxers and T-shirt.”

“I just try to relax and enjoy it,” he said. “If they want to come down, great, but they know not to come down and start peppering me with questions.”

SUBHD: Praise for Grunk

Franklin said backup quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, who went 7-of-9 for 86 yards, exceeded expectations.

“I think he actually played better in the game than he’s practiced at times,” he said, praising Grunk’s decisiveness and quick release.

“I was pleased with the passing game in general,” and called it “a point of emphasis” but added the Nits will need more chunk plays down the field.

New punter

The Lions didn’t punt against Nevada – they may not have to against FIU, either – but when the time comes, it will be Gabe Nwosu.

Nwosu beat out incumbent Riley Thompson after having what Franklin called “a tremendous camp.”

“He’s the closest thing to Jordan Stout (Baltimore Ravens) that we have,” he said.

The 6-foot-6, 297-pounder handles the kickoffs but has also impressed as a field-goal kicker.

Franklin said he boomed a 62-yard field goal in a practice at Beaver Stadium “with the whole team around him” that could have been good from “65 or 66.”

Ryan Barker went 4-for-4 Saturday, but all were under 40. He’s 19-of-23 for his career with a career long of 49.

Fisher update

While Dani Dennis-Sutton had a monster game with five tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles, the other DEs made a combined one tackle.

Zuriah Fisher did not play as he recovers from an injury but is expected back this week.

“He hadn’t practiced enough,” Franklin said, calling Fisher’s return “significant.”

Notable…

N Penn State will recognize THON at this week’s game. THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, having raised $254 million to fight childhood cancer since being launched in 1973.

N Joe Nastasi, former Nittany Lion receiver (1994-98) and product of Northern Bedford County High School, will serve as this week’s honorary captain.

N Last week’s outcome was the first 46-11 final not only in PSU history but in NCAA Division I history as well.

(Compiled by Neil Rudel of the Altoona Mirror. He can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.)