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maining sanctions that currently are im- pacting the football program, and Franklin was speaking publicly for the first time since the news broke. He had little choice but to deviate from the script. "Typically next I would get into talking about Rutgers, but I'd like to make a brief statement about what happened [Mon- day]," he said. "We are very, very appre- ciative of the opportunity that we have that the NCAA, the Big Ten and that Penn State administration worked so hard to make happen. We're very appre- ciative of that opportunity." Quickly changing his tone, Franklin tried to refocus his message. "It's amazing how many people texted me and emailed me last night and said, 'How awesome that you're bowl eligi- ble!' We're not bowl eligible. We have an opportunity to go to a bowl game," he continued. "We need to make sure that we can take care of our business this week, which is Rutgers. "That's really what I'd like to talk about. I know you guys are going to ask me 55 questions that don't have to do with Rut- gers, but I would like to talk about Rut- gers, Rutgers, Rutgers, Rutgers, and then maybe a little bit more about Rutgers. Probably not going to happen, though." He was right. It didn't happen that way. Asked about everything from his initial thoughts about the news, the team's re- action, and the community's response Monday night – which was demonstrated by thousands of students taking to cam- pus and State College streets to celebrate the NCAA's decision – Franklin relented. "It was obviously pretty cool," he said. Franklin had wanted to personally de- liver the news first to his team Monday evening, but word began to leak out on social media like Twitter and Facebook. He still brought the team together and delivered a message not unlike the one he gave to the media Tuesday aCernoon. "I just reinforced what they already knew," he said. "I think obviously it was received extremely well and the guys are excited, but my message to you is the same message that I have to them. This is great, and now there's nothing being held back from them in terms of opportuni- ties. They have the ability to chase their dreams now, but we're going to go back to our same approach, which is one play at a time, one game at a time, one class at a time. So that's been kind of our focus, and I think it was received really well." Though Franklin has stayed on message throughout the preseason and now into the season, committed to the one-at-a- time approach outlined repeatedly, he acknowledged that the team did make a special exception for those who stayed during the university's darkest hour. In an informal type of ceremony the staff acknowledged the 49 members who re- mained at Penn State even aCer the free transfer rule that was initially included in the NCAA's sanctions. Franklin said the team praised the group, who had been part of the team before, during and aCer the sanction period, with a standing ovation. "We did bring the 49 guys on the team who stayed up front and the rest of the team gave them a standing ovation and told them how much they mean to them, how much we are all in debt to them, how much respect that the university, the alumni, the community has for them and that we're going to play for them," Franklin said. "They were here for this program and this university when we needed them most." They'll undoubtedly be needed Satur- day night, as well. Against the Kyle Flood-coached Scarlet Knights, Franklin noted how they have a strong defense. He also praised the work of offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen and Rutgers' subsequent improvements, and he identified the players he'll be watching most closely this week during film study, a list that includes quarter- back Gary Nova, running back Paul James and kick returner Janarion Grant. Spurred on by Monday's good news, and holding an opportunity to get to 3-0, the question now becomes how will his Nittany Lions handle the moment. If Franklin's comments Tuesday are any indication, "business as usual" will be the mindset. "This game is no more important than what Central Florida was. This game is no more important than what Akron was," he said. "We approach every single game one game at a time and that's the most important game on our schedule because it's the only game on our sched- ule." NATE BAUER 2014 RECORD 2-0 This is a big one. Penn State's season could shift on the outcome of Saturday night in Piscataway, N.J., and Rutgers is jacked for the opportunity to derail the feel-good, sanction-less Nittany Lions. If Hackenberg improves his passing, Penn State breezes. If not, it's a dogfight, but one in which Penn State still probably holds an edge. PENN STATE 27, RUTGERS 17 PHIL GROSZ 2014 RECORD 2-0 Penn State's defense is better prepared to stop Rutgers' offense, than Rutgers' defense can control Penn State's pass- ing game. The Lions' defense will be the difference in this game. PENN STATE 35, RUTGERS 21 MATT HERB 2014 RECORD 1-1 There's a bit more at stake than antici- pated as the Nittany Lions get set to open their Big Ten season against a team from New Jersey. They should be highly motivated to play their best game of the young season. PENN STATE 31, RUTGERS 17 TIM OWEN 2014 RECORD 2-0 I was picking Rutgers to win this game all the way up until Monday afternoon. But as Ryan Keiser put it this week, Penn State got a new "pep" in its step when the reduced sanctions were an- nounced. It'll be a close one, Rutgers will rip off a couple big plays, but Penn State's defense holds strong in the end. PENN STATE 28, RUTGERS 27 RYAN SNYDER 2014 RECORD 2-0 Penn State has its best performance yet. Rutgers will start off solid, but PSU rallies in the second half. PENN STATE 30, RUTGERS 24 S E P T E M B E R 1 0 , 2 0 1 4 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 2 BWI'S FORECAST

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