Penn State enters a crucial three-game stretch to wrap up its 2015 season with a road trip to well-rested Northwestern on Saturday. The Nittany Lions have momentum on their side but a key opportunity on the horizon to secure their eighth victory of the season and a clear signal of progress in coach James Franklin’s second season.
Penn State has had its ups and downs this season but most recently came away encouraged from a 31-30 win over Maryland that was boosted by Christian Hackenberg and the big-play passing attack. Coach James Franklin talked about that strategy and the health of Saquon Barkley this week, and Bob Shoop broke down his defense in the advance of today’s game against Illinois.
Penn State has the No. 4 recruiting class in the country in 2016, a group of 19 verbal commitments that could be coach James Franklin’s best collection of talent since arriving in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions are still within arm’s reach to a number of high-profile targets but also have work to do to retain commits such as Lavert Hill, Quinn Nordin and Miles Sanders. Michigan is a big…
Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg has dominated headlines in the aftermath of the 2015 NFL draft. The rising junior ranks among the best prospects in the nation in 2016 and is being recognized as a high first-round talent in a number of “way-too-early” NFL mock drafts. Hackenberg is one of three potential first-round quarterbacks in the Big Ten, joining Michigan State’s Connor Cook and Ohio State’s Cardale Jones in that…