Lions find redemption in rematch win

Describing the Nittany Lions’ trouble defending the Pitt shovel pass Saturday, James Franklin explained it’s a challenging play to defend.

“But,” he added, “I think that’s a good football team and I think they’re going to win a lot of games this year.”

A complimentary gesture toward an opponent the Nittany Lions have been circling since a 42-39 loss last year at Heinz Field, Franklin wasn’t quite finished. Offering his own assessment of the rivalry game that fans and media have been playing up since that game, the Nittany Lion head coach wanted to put the afternoon’s accomplishment into context.

“Most important is that we’re 1-0 this week and we were able to get a win. That’s what that was for us, guys,” said Franklin. “I know last year for their win it was like the Super Bowl, but for us this was just like beating Akron.”

The comment drew a hushed silence in the Beaver Stadium media room.

Then a few giggles from the recruiting lounge above; then a few outright laughs and comments as Franklin quietly scanned the room beneath his podium seat.

Asked to follow up on the line and elaborate on what he might have meant, Franklin left the interpretation up to media.

“You guys, I’ve been saying for two years so you can interpret it however you want. I’ve been saying for two years that each win is like the Super Bowl for us, so you can interpret it however you want,” said Franklin. “Last week, we beat Akron, and it was a great win. This win, we beat Pittsburgh and it was a great win. This win is no more significant for us than last week. So you can interpret it however you want. I’ve been saying this for three years: Each win stands alone.”

A reiteration of Franklin’s multi-year message, some of the Nittany Lions themselves were not as ambiguous or open to interpretation as their head coach.

And Saquon Barkley, the Nittany Lions’ star running back and Heisman Trophy hopeful, led the way in making his feelings known.

“I wouldn’t say I felt disrespected, everybody feels differently obviously. Like I said, you’re supposed to celebrate when you win a game, and they won last year,” said Barkley. “I think it was a little too much, especially Pitt fans on social media and stuff like that. The only thing I felt disrespected last year about, realistically, was just how the Pitt fans reacted. I think there’s a point where you could take it too far, and I think they took it too far….There’s things that are too far. That’s the only part that I felt disrespected on.

“Other than that, losing the game, I think you’re supposed to celebrate when you win. But, like I said I think they just were too excited. It was week two, they acted like they won the National Championship, and they held onto that win the whole season.”

Barkley wasn’t the only one.

Noting how good he felt walking off the field following a two-sack afternoon, defensive end Shareef Miller said the game was personal to him.

“Honestly, I just take this game personally because of what happened last year,” said Miller. “I didn't like the disrespect last year they gave to Penn State in general. I didn't like how they disrespected Coach Franklin or anything like that. So I took it personally. Especially walking out of that stadium last year and how the fans were totally disrespectful to us, that's why I took it personally.”

Armed with a 33-14 win Saturday, the Nittany Lions will not be saddled with the same burden for the next 12 months until the two teams square off again in September, 2018.

Wanting to take the win in stride, Barkley insisted his Nittany Lions are ready to move on.

Said Barkley, “Obviously, that game’s in the past, this game’s in the past. Move on from it. Learn from it and get better and get ready for Georgia State.”