James Franklin Clears Major Struggle as He Opens Up on Penn State Star Replicating Abdul Carter

James Franklin and Penn State made a statement to 106,915 roaring fans inside Beaver Stadium on August 30. The Nittany Lions rolled last Nevada, 46-11, in a way that made them legit championship contenders. New faces impressed, veterans made their mark, and the offense set the tone early, scoring on its first nine possessions. The only scar is their final drive featuring backups that yielded nothing. But don’t read too much into it. Because it was a strategy. 

James Franklin has a way of turning red zone bumps into teachable moments. Penn State athletics site Onward Sports shone the spotlight on the HC’s comments on the red zone bumps in an X post. “I don’t know if I would call it a struggle. The reality is I told Andy [Kotelnicki] to call a couple plays that wouldn’t convert so we could work on our field goals,” he said. He admitted the offense stalled in Nevada territory but refused to get bogged down by it because the blessing in disguise was a 4-4 on-field goal.

Indeed, kicker Ryan Barker delivered. There were moments in Nevada territory where Penn State had to settle for three points instead of six. But the kicker made all four field goals, including two 28-yarders, a 32-yarder, and a 39-yard bomb. Add three extra points to it, and it had the scoreboard humming. Past seasons had shown shaky early kickings, but Saturday’s performance made it clear. Penn State can score even when the red zone tightens. That’s a hallmark of championship-caliber teams: converting opportunities, avoiding panic, and putting points on the board.

QB Drew Allar didn’t need to throw a highlight reel to make a statement. The senior finished 22-of-26 for 217 yards and one touchdown, adding 20 yards on six carries. He showed precision and poise, especially on a fourth-down dart to Devonte Ross. Kyron Hudson caught six passes for 89 yards, Trebor Peña had seven for 74, and Nicholas Singleton found the end zone twice. By the numbers, Penn State outgained Nevada 436-203 and held the Wolf Pack to a mere 78 rushing yards. Yet the star of the conversation might be the player quietly following in the footsteps of an NFL first-rounder.

James Franklin has a mouthful to say about Dani Dennis-Sutton

Dani Dennis-Sutton dominated. Standing 6’5, 265 pounds, the senior DE forced two fumbles, including one that set up Penn State’s first touchdown. He finished with five tackles, 2.5 TFLs, one sack, a QB hurry, and a pass breakup. Watching from the sideline was Abdul Carter, the now-Giant whose shadow he’s primed to fill. This guy is a run-stopping, edge-setting defensive end who mixes power with enough speed to collapse pockets. He’s the guy Penn State needs to anchor a defensive line in the Big Ten grind. And with that blend of size, strength, and effort, his HC’s praise is not surprising. 

James Franklin gushed in his post-game conference speech. “He’s quicker and faster than people realize. He’s a well-rounded defensive end,” he said. He pointed out that his relentless effort, running full speed from snap to whistle consistently creates big plays, from tackles for loss to forced fumbles. Beyond physical traits, Dennis-Sutton’s preparation and work ethic stand out. As the HC added, “He is motivated. He is driven. He wants to be great. A lot of guys say they want to be great. This guy eats, sleeps, and dreams football and wants to be special, and he’s been that way since we recruited him and since he’s been on campus. He just continues to get better.”

As the sun set over Happy Valley, it’s clear that Penn State’s march to a national title might just hinge on this kind of evolution. Dani Dennis-Sutton stepping into the spotlight, Drew Allar’s steady hand, and James Franklin’s savvy leadership. That’s a mix capable of keeping Beaver Stadium buzzing all season long.