The following are the highlights of James Franklin’s Monday press conference:

Saturday’s game: at West Virginia (noon, Fox)

Records: Both teams are 0-0.

Odds: Penn State is an 8.5-point favorite.

Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 8 by the Associated Press. WVU is not ranked but drew 17 under-consideration votes.

Hostile territory

Franklin is wary of opening against a quality opponent on the road.

He noted the Mountaineers won five of their last six games a year ago, including a blowout over North Carolina in the Mayo Bowl held in Charlotte.

“Plus they should have won the Houston game (41-39 loss),” he said. “Neal Brown has done a really good job, and it’s a team that has a ton of confidence.”

Milan Puskar Stadium seats 60,000 and Franklin said PSU will be represented “by about 250. From what I understand, you can’t get a ticket. It’s a prideful place, all the way back to Don Nehlen. Home field advantage is a real thing.”

Franklin would rather open with a “lower level” opponent, particular with the new rule changes that allow for helmet technology to be communicated directly to the quarterback and middle linebacker.

“There will be things that show up in this game that won’t show up in Game 2 or Game 3,” he said. “This type of game is really good and motivates and prepares, but you better have your i’s dotted and t’s crossed.”

Personnel matters

Franklin was reluctant to specify starters at uncertain spots, saying the Lions are still assessing their depth and communicating that to the players involved.

Right tackle has been a question, and he said both redshirt freshman Anthony Donkoh and Wisconsin transfer Nolan Rucci would both play.

He also did not publicly choose a starting placekicker. Sander Sahaydak missed two field goals in last year’s opener vs. West Virginia and lost his job to Alex Felkins.

Sahaydak is back in the mix with Tulsa transfer Chase Meyer and redshirt Ryan Barker.

Franklin said, “We can win with all three and all three are within 2% points of each other on (practice) kicks.”

Improving offense?

In this order, Franklin cited wide receiver, quarterback and offensive line as the most improved offensive positions – “the three positions we needed to (improve),” he said. “A lot of energy was poured into those three positions.”

Trey Wallace has reportedly been the most impressive of the receiving group, although Franklin praised the maturity of both Ohio State transfer Julian Fleming and holder Liam Clifford.

He also said youngsters Mehki Flowers, Anthony Ivy and Tyseer Denmark have had their moments.

Kaden Saunders, a candidate to return punts, has missed time due to injury.

Homer pick?

Former Mountaineer punter and colorful ESPN broadcaster Pat McAfee is picking his alma mater to win the Big 12 and advance to the College Football Playoff and believes the ‘Eers will “at least scare Penn State.”

Asked about the comments, Franklin laughed and said, “I love Pat McAfee” for the enthusiasm he brings to his job but said he’s guarded about providing bulletin-board material.

Applauding AD

Franklin praised Penn State’s decision to extend the contract of Athletic Director Pat Kraft through 2032 at compensation over the next eight years at $2.26 million annually.

The transaction was announced Monday.

“I think stability in college athletics and college football is critical,” he said. “It was the right thing to do. We’ve got a man leading us who is a fierce competitor – someone who can relate and wants to come up with solutions to challenges we’ve had for a number of years.”

Franklin called getting a football-only training table “a huge win.”

He said Penn State was the only Top-10 program without one.

Notable …

•In addition to Denmark, Franklin sounded as if freshmen Cooper Cousins (backup center/guard) and Dejuan Lane (corner) could see action.

• Penn State leads the series 49-9-2. The teams met almost annually from 1940-1992 but only met once since with PSU winning 38-15 at Beaver Stadium in last year’s season opener. The Mounties’ last win came in 1988 when they were ranked No. 7 and rolled, 51-30.

• Franklin joked on Nehlen’s influence, saying, “There are about six relatives of Don Nehlen on their staff.” Actually, there are two – strength coach Dan Nehlen (Don’s son) and offensive analyst Ryan Nehlen (Dan’s son and Don’s grandson).

• Penn State is busing to Morgantown, leaving Friday.

(Compiled by Neil Rudel of the Altoona Mirror. He can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.)