Penn State coach James Franklin made some headlines for how last year’s season-opening win over West Virginia under the Beaver Stadium lights ended.
Penn State won in convincing fashion, yet still scored a last-second touchdown via Beau Pribula’a five-yard rush. For Penn State fans, the touchdown was generally a good thing; an exclamation point on a win to start the year, a moment for Pribula, who scored his first touchdown, and, perhaps most importantly for some, a back door cover. Penn State was favored by 20.5.
Usually, when teams punch it in the end zone with six seconds left, they either tied/won the game in spectacular fashion or lost.
When asked about it days later, Franklin made no apologies and said it was important to get backups such as Pribula reps in late-game situations.
Almost a year to the date, Penn State will play West Virginia again, this time in Morgantown
What happened last year is still on WVU’s minds.
Last year, West Virginia coach Neal Brown didn’t specifically call out Franklin and certainly didn’t use any profanity in his post game press conference, but it was apparent that he wasn’t happy.
“I wouldn’t have done it,” Brown said, “but it doesn’t bother me.”
What Brown said next is perhaps most intriguing.
“Stuff like that comes back around.”
At this year’s Penn State-week press conference, Brown said he had no problem with Franklin’s decision decision and that he didn’t feel how last year’s game ended is necessary in motivating this year’s team.
WVU HC Neal Brown says he doesn’t feel Penn State scoring late is necessary to help motivate his team. He also added this: “I don’t have a problem with it.”
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) August 26, 2024
But necessary or not, West Virginia’s players are still thinking about it and using it as fuel.
“I took that very personal,” WVU DL Eddie Vesterinen told reporters Monday.
“Of course that upset (us),” Vesterinen said. “This past week, on the TVs before our meetings and everything, that’s the only clip we’ve been replaying all the time. I’ve seen that clip 100 times in the past week, and it just angers me. It just angers me, and I even know the celebration that one o-lineman did… I hope everybody on our team took it very personal.”
Do you remember Penn State's TD run with 6 seconds left to cover the spread in their 38-15 win over WVU last year?
DL Edward Vesterinen does. pic.twitter.com/p91pEdgCpY
— Joe Brocato (@joebrowvm) August 26, 2024
West Virginia’s players have been quiet on Penn State for the most part, but Northwestern transfer DB Garnett Hollis Jr. made some headlines earlier this month.
“I would just say with them playing last year, they kind of did some of the similar stuff that they ran against Northwestern and how they ran against (WVU) Week 1,” Hollis told reporters. “I think they’re the same team. They don’t show too much respect for their opponents unless it’s Michigan or Ohio State, so I think that’s something that’s similar when they played each other.”
Hollis continued.
“I think it’s just going out there and outplaying them,” he said. “I think that’s the main key is, don’t give them a game. That’s what they want. That’s what they think every team is going to do, is give them a game. But I think when we go out there and punch them in the mouth and we take the life from them, I think that’s going to be the difference.”
Vesterian also said WVU is expecting Penn State to run similar plays to what Kansas has been running against West Virginia the past few seasons due to former KU OC Andy Kotelnicki moving over to Penn State.
He also said that, as the favorite, Penn State has all the pressure on it Saturday.
“Our players are hungry,” he said. “Something big is going to happen.”
