The only two programs that Penn State football respects are Ohio State and Michigan, according to West Virginia defensive back Garnett Hollis.
It seems that, in the 2020s, college football players aren’t as likely to say something that could fire up an opposing team.
Most college head coaches would prefer their players to answer reporters’ questions without saying anything that could be seen as bulletin board material, and athletes go through media training partially to make sure this doesn’t happen.
If Hollis was taught these lessons, he either forgot them or disregarded them when was talking with WVU reporters Friday.
“They give no respect to their opponents unless it’s Michigan or Ohio State,” Hollis said.
WVU DB Garnett Hollis on Penn State: “They give no respect to their opponents unless it’s Michigan or Ohio State.” Hollis has animosity towards Penn State from his time in the Big Ten at Northwestern.
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) August 16, 2024
Although this is Hollis’ first season at West Virginia and he wasn’t apart of last year’s Week 1 game between the two schools, he’s familiar with Penn State.
Hollis spent the first four seasons of his college career at Northwestern, who Penn State beat in 2022 and ‘23. Per Mike Asti of West Virginia Sports Now— Nittany Sports Now’s sister outlet— Hollis has animosity toward PSU from his time in the Big Ten.
Asti added that Hollis was “literally the only player who even answered PSU questions. His Big Ten feelings likely took over when asked.”
I’ll add Hollis is literally the only player who even answered PSU questions. His Big Ten feelings likely took over when asked. https://t.co/ykzECPYCYs
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) August 16, 2024
Over the past two seasons, Penn State is 21-3 against schools that aren’t Ohio State and Michigan.
As for West Virginia coach Neal Brown, one can only wonder if he’s still thinking about how last year’s game in Happy Valley ended.
In the dying seconds of regulation, with Penn State up two scores and having already won, coach James Franklin decided not to take a knee, but rather to run the ball with backup QB Beau Pribula, who ended up scoring a touchdown.
Brown wasn’t thrilled with this.
We’ll see if there are any more intriguing comments from either side before the game and season kick off Aug. 31 at noon in Morgantown.
