GLENDALE, Ariz. — In the world of football, coaches often emphasize the importance of structure, routine, and consistent communication. Since his tenure began at Penn State, head coach James Franklin has adopted the motivational motto of “1-0.” This phrase embodies taking one day at a time, one play at a time, or one game at a time—a familiar sentiment in the sports community.
Franklin’s players have embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly, contributing to the advancement of the program, which has moved past a tumultuous chapter marked by scandal. Following Penn State’s recent Fiesta Bowl triumph, Franklin shared his perspective, stating, “I wouldn’t say it’s overly unique, but I’m a big believer in being present. For a lot of our guys, it’s helpful when things are going crazy, they’re being pulled in a thousand directions, and you can take a deep breath and focus on, whether it’s 1-0 or our core values.”
The effectiveness of Franklin’s approach has been evident during the College Football Playoff. The Nittany Lions, seeded sixth, achieved a commanding victory over SMU in their opening game, followed by a convincing 31-14 win against eighth-seeded Boise State in the quarterfinals. This marks the accomplishment of being “1-0” not once but twice.
With their latest win in the Fiesta Bowl, Penn State secured a position in the Orange Bowl on January 9, where they will face off against the winner of the matchup between second-ranked Georgia and third-ranked Notre Dame. This Sugar Bowl was delayed due to a tragic truck attack in New Orleans early Wednesday.
Additionally, the other semifinal in the College Football Playoff was settled as sixth-seeded Ohio State is set to take on third-seeded Texas in the Cotton Bowl on January 10. After a tough loss in their rivalry game against Michigan, Ohio State (12-2) bounced back impressively by defeating the top-ranked Oregon team with a 42-21 victory in the Rose Bowl. They dominated the game from the start, establishing a substantial 34-point lead to secure their semifinal berth.
“You can see the potential of where we’re at, when we play in all three phases the way we did,” said Ohio State coach Ryan Day.
In contrast, Texas (13-2) faced a tougher challenge, squandering a 16-point lead. However, they managed to rally in the Peach Bowl, overcoming a standout performance from Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo to win 39-31. “We weren’t at our best, and it felt like an NCAA March Madness basketball game with the swings of emotions,” admitted Texas coach Steve Sarkisian. “I’m just proud of these guys because not every game is going to be pretty, and not every game is just going to go exactly how you want it to go.”
Under Franklin’s leadership, Penn State has rebuilt significantly from the shadows of the Jerry Sandusky scandal that tarnished the reputation of the program and led to the downfall of legendary coach Joe Paterno. Franklin’s steady approach has brought the Nittany Lions back into contention, allowing them to reach three consecutive New Year’s Six bowls, culminating in the program’s first entry into the College Football Playoff this season.
Penn State’s defense has been formidable, ranking among the nation’s top 10 in various categories. During the Fiesta Bowl, they effectively neutralized Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, limiting the Heisman Trophy runner-up to a season-low 104 yards on 30 carries, well below his average of 7 yards per carry. “We knew who we were going against. We knew we had to have hats to the ball every single play because every play he could break one,” stated safety Zakee Wheatley, who recorded an interception and recovered a fumble during the game.
On the offensive side, Penn State has displayed a well-rounded attack throughout the season. While they may not boast a standout like Jeanty, the dynamic duo of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton proved their merit in the Fiesta Bowl. The pair combined for 1,820 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns prior to the matchup, with Allen rushing for 135 yards and Singleton delivering a game-defining 58-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Moreover, Tyler Warren was recognized with the John Mackey Award for being the nation’s top tight end, playing a significant role in the Fiesta Bowl with two touchdown receptions. Quarterback Drew Allar faced scrutiny throughout the season but rose to the occasion during the Fiesta Bowl, throwing three touchdown passes with precision.
“We played a complete game—offense, defense, and special teams, complementary football,” Franklin remarked. “Did some special things tonight.”
This level of performance has been the hallmark of their season, as they have claimed victory in the “1-0” mindset 13 times and continue to build momentum.
