Notes & scenes as Penn State players, coaches prepare for Ohio State Buckeyes

The Nittany Lions have been busy preparing for their most-anticipated game of the season, with James Franklin and other players speaking to the media this week about Saturday’s matchup with Ohio State.

Here’s a look at highlights from the week of media availabilities, including the limited viewing window from Wednesday’s night’s practice, when Franklin and cornerback Johnny Dixon spoke.

• I did not see Landon Tengwall or Keyvone Lee during Wednesday’s practice. Lee saw limited action against Michigan and did not play against Minnesota. Tengwall has missed the last two games after suffering an injury during warmups ahead of the game against Michigan.
• Chop Robinson missed last week’s game but was practicing Wednesday. Franklin said he and the team are hopeful that Robinson will take the field Saturday against Ohio State. Robinson’s availability will be key for the Nittany Lions because of his ability to rush the passer against a team that is going to drop back and sling it over and over again.
• Bryce Effner has earned the snaps he’s gotten, according to Franklin. That’s why he’s gotten reps at both guard and tackle so far this season, something he’s proven to the coaching staff he’s capable of handling. Effner usually comes in for Caedan Wallace at tackle and Saleem Wormley at guard when he comes in.
• Franklin declined to comment on the Big Ten once again scheduling Penn State’s conference opener on the road. The team consistently starting Big Ten play by traveling has been a point of contention for Franklin and athletic director Pat Kraft.
• Penn State’s secondary and Ohio State’s passing game were a focal point of this week’s availabilities. Franklin said an emphasis will be placed on forcing Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud to work beyond his first progression this week.
• Cornerback Johnny Dixon was complementary of Ohio State’s wide receivers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba — who has missed time due to an injury — and Marvin Harrison Jr. might be the two best receivers in the country this year, but Dixon said he and the cornerback have been preparing for this type of challenge while acknowledging the level of talent they’ll be facing. He pointed out the fact that he and the other corners were still getting reps in following Wednesday’s practice when the media came in to speak with him and Franklin.
• Sean Clifford was complimentary of Ohio State’s defense this season, citing its aggressiveness and the disruption the unit has caused this season. The Buckeyes look just as Clifford said they do, playing with an increased urgency when it comes to creating chaos for the opposing offense. That’s in large part because of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who Ohio State head coach Ryan Day plucked away from Oklahoma State. Knowles has turned this unit into one of the best in the country.
• The senior quarterback emphasized the need to stay on schedule, mentioning that getting in third and long can be a recipe for trouble for the Nittany Lions on offense. He added that using varying tempos when it needs to is one of the group’s strengths.
• One of his top wide receivers, Mitch Tinsley, said he doesn’t think Clifford always gets the credit he deserves. That’s been a common refrain from some coaches and teammates following the Minnesota game.
• PJ Mustipher applauded the team for its performance in bouncing back Saturday against Minnesota, including the linebackers who he said were flying around to get to the ball against the Golden Gophers.
• LB Curtis Jacobs was one of the stars of the performance for the Nittany Lions, and Mustipher said he’s developing off the field as well when it comes to using his voice in the locker room.
• Jacobs was also made available after finishing with 14 tackles against the Golden Gophers. He spent the game playing at the Sam linebacker position, which he called a game plan decision.
• The Penn State linebacker echoed what Mustipher said about his leadership, adding that he usually prefers leading by example.

Scenes from Wednesday’s practice

Jon Sauber

Centre Daily Times

(814) 231-6461

Jon Sauber covers Penn State football and men’s basketball for the Centre Daily Times. He earned his B.A. in digital and print journalism from Penn State and his M.A. in sports journalism from IUPUI. His previous stops include jobs at The Indianapolis Star, the NCAA, and Rivals.