The Penn State Nittany Lions expect a key offensive starter to return for the Big Ten title game vs. the Oregon Ducks.
When Penn State cornerback Jalen Kimber was asked what he knew about the Nittany Lions’ last Big Ten championship appearance in 2016, he kept it simple: “That we won — something we’re trying to do this upcoming Saturday.” How the Nittany Lions reached this year’s conference title game against top-ranked Oregon, with a little help from Michigan last week, no longer matters.
In 12 regular-season games, Gabriel totaled 3,275 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, six interceptions and seven rushing scores. The sixth-year senior, a former UCF Knight and Oklahoma Sooner, is simultaneously one of college football's most seasoned veterans and one of its most talented quarterbacks. Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas said Wednesday that Gabriel’s arm talent is what sticks out the most on film.
“You watch him play, he just looks so relaxed. … You're not going to give him a whole lot that he hasn't seen before,” Franklin said. “He's surrounded with really good talent. The running backs are really good. The tight end is a really good player. The receivers are dynamic. So he's put himself in really good situations, but he's played a ton of football.”
Penn State's James Franklin on Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel. "It seems like he's been playing college football for like the last 10 years."to the class, which the program recognized during a five-hour livestream over which Franklin presided between game prep. Although Franklin said he was “happy” that Wednesday proved drama-free, he did highlight the challenges of welcoming the 2025 class while preparing his team for the Big Ten title game.
“I don't think it makes a whole lot of sense to have one of the most important days of the year, which is signing day, which is very complex in today's college football. … Oh, and by the way, you're about to play the No. 1 team in the country in the conference championship,” Franklin said. “But it is what it is. And I was pleased with our staff and how they handled it.”
In preparing for the Ducks, Penn State will benefit from having a top-5 matchup under its belt against Ohio State. As does Oregon. The Ducks won by one point, while Penn State fell by a touchdown.
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