Three years ago, James Franklin snapped — and in doing so, set the tone for the kind of program he wanted to run. After a 20-14 win over Army on Oct. 3, 2015, Franklin, who was peppered with questions as if it were a loss, said, “I’m gonna come in here every single week and be positive. Even if it kills you guys and you want me to be negative.”
Win or lose, blowout or close call, that unrelenting positivity has permeated Penn State since Franklin’s January 2014 arrival. But sometimes, players need a peer to be direct.