As Franklin said before hiring Allen last year, Penn State's defense is not in rebuild mode. The program is about winning now, which the returns of Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki have foreshadowed. Franklin is chasing hardware next season, and the defensive coordinator hire will reflect that.

The Lions247 team has its finger on the pulse of Penn State transfer portal news, recruiting, coaching staff moves and more after James Franklin's squad was eliminated in the semifinals of the College

The desire to run it back in 2025 will set high expectations — the highest of any of James Franklin's Penn State teams.

Both quarterbacks knew their final season of college football could still be a special one even after their teams endured difficult setbacks.

The Notre Dame ground attack fueled the offense all season, but it has struggled in the postseason, which must change vs Ohio State

PSU finished 13-3 and coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s offensive produced plenty of explosive plays – gains of 20 or more yards. The Lions also amassed a large share of runs and passes ranging from 15 to 19 yards. What kind of numbers are we talking about?

The No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1) are solid underdogs (+8.5) in this year’s College Football Playoff National Championship, where they will face the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes

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Ohio State’s defense is ranked No. 1 overall and No. 3 against the run. The Buckeyes have outscored playoff opponents Tennessee, Oregon and Texas 111-52, and have limited them to 62.3 yards a game rushing (1.9 yards a carry).

The national championship game is nearly here. Ohio State is going for its first national title since the end of the 2014 season. The Buckeyes beat Alabama and Oregon with third-string QB Cardale Jones to win the first four-team College Football Playoff. A win on Monday night would make Ohio State the first 12-team CFP champion.

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