Blue White Illustrated

This past Saturday, Penn State head coach James Franklin welcomed a few hundred high school coaches, a horde of media members and a few dozen recruits to campus for the Nittany Lions' 11th practice of the spring. It might seem like a lot, but really it was just another day for a new head coach doing every- thing he can to showcase an energized program that will be on display Saturday in the Blue- White Game. From the high-intensity showcase of "The Lions' Den" – a version of the Oklahoma drill in which a few players hammer the living snot out of each other in front of a live audience – to Franklin's 12-minute press conference, ob- servers were able to learn about the program and its personnel a>er that 11th practice last week. For instance, Franklin offered a few insights into the team's depth at quarterback and the B L U E - W H I T E G A M E P R E V I E W A P R I L 9 N E W S L E T T E R Rites of Spring Franklin offers progress report prior to Saturday's Blue-White Game Tim Owen A P R I L 9 , 2 0 1 4 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 1 FIRE AWAY Franklin said he has "been very impressed" by Hackenberg during PSU's spring practice. 6 p . m . , A P R I L 1 2 B T N ( D E L A Y ) GAME AT A GLANCE WHERE Beaver Stadium WHEN 1:30 p.m., April 12 PARKING/ADMISSION Free (parking lots will open at 8 a.m.) RADIO The game is set to air live on the Penn State Sports Network TV The Big Ten Network's tape-de- layed broadcast begins at 6 p.m. April 12 OTHER ACTIVITIES An autograph session will take place from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. Players will be permitted to sign one item per person. The Penn State gameday Fan Festival, with numerous displays, ven- dors and interactive events for kids, will begin at 9 a.m. and will be lo- cated along Curtin Road. The 5th An- nual Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run/Family Fun Walk to benefit Spe- cial Olympics Pennsylvania is set for Sunday, April 13. Participants will fin- ish at the 50-yard line in Beaver Sta- dium for the 3-mile run or 1-mile walk. For more information, go to specialolympicspa.org/beaver-sta- dium-run WEATHER FORECAST According to weather.com, State College is expected to have a mix of sun and clouds Saturday with only a 10 percent chance of rain. High temperatures are ex- pected to be about 65 degrees with a low around 42. Wind speed is expected to be about 9 mph. N A T E   B A U E R   | N B A U E R @ B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M

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