Not only did Penn State have to prepare for a road trip against a good opponent to start the season in Week 1 of the college football season, but the Nittany Lions also had to power through a longer-than-usual halftime break . That is because nasty thunderstorms blew through Morgantown, West Virginia as Penn State and West Virginia were looking to come out to start the second half of their game. Fortunately for Penn State, James Franklin had his team prepared for such a situation.
Franklin drew on previous experience to be ready for a two-hour weather delay in preparing for Penn State’s trip to West Virginia. In 2017, Penn State was stuck in a long weather delay in a road game at Michigan State . The Lions were not prepared to get through a long delay and continue playing the game, and it showed as Penn State ended up losing in an upset to Michigan State.
If not for that experience, Penn State could have suffered a similar result.
“Obviously after that situation, we kind of put in all types of plans and policies to be aware of,” Franklin said in his postgame comments following a 34-12 victory over West Virginia , referring to that 2017 game at Michigan State. “And it also helped that before coming here, we knew this was a possibility.”
The biggest thing Penn State was prepared for this time once getting a sense of the potential weather situation? Keeping the team fed.
“It’s hard to go to Chick-fil-A at closing time and ask them to stay open and come up with an order for a football team,” Franklin explained. “That’s what happened in East Lansing with Monica, our police officer, going to do that for us. So this was obviously a much better situation.”
Franklin went on to suggest that being the road team makes a long delay even more challenging.
“It’s still challenging when you’re the visiting team, because you’re stuck in a very small locker room. That’s not a critique on West Virginia. It’s like that everywhere,” Franklin said. “And they have all their facilities to be able to use. So there’s some real challenges that come with that.”
Best photos from Penn State's season-opening win at West Virginia
The longer the delay wore on, the more creative Franklin and his staff had to get. The solution? Make space for your team using the tunnel outside of the locker room.
“I think you guys saw we created, out here in the tunnel, some more space. I thought that was helpful as well,” Franklin said. “And then we just had plenty of food. Again, because we knew that this was a possibility, we were able to get ahead of it from that standpoint. So I thought that was a positive.”
Franklin added the team benefitted by having the use of iPads to review game film. In the two hour span, a lot of film breakdown and review could be done, and that gave the coordinators more time to make adjustments. Penn State’s adjustments just seemed to work better than West Virginia’s.
It also might be a complete coincidence, but after the second half eventually started, multiple West Virginia players had to be helped off the field. Was it better conditioning on the Penn State sideline and locker room as well? Or was that just a coincidence? It may be worth wondering as well.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris (4) celebrates a pass breakup in the first half of an… Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris (4) celebrates a pass breakup in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula keeps the ball on the ground in the first half of… Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula keeps the ball on the ground in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) celebrates with Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) catches a pass over West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr. (1) for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a pass to Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Omari Evans (5)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Omari Evans (5) celebrates after making a catch during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Omari Evans (5)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Omari Evans (5) make a catch over West Virginia Mountaineers safety Aubrey Burks (2) during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs up the middle in the first half of an… Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs up the middle in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State head coach James Franklin walks the sideline in the first half of an NCAA… Penn State head coach James Franklin walks the sideline in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State's Kaytron Allen celebrates after scoring a 20-yard receiving touchdown in the first half of… Penn State's Kaytron Allen celebrates after scoring a 20-yard receiving touchdown in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State's Kaytron Allen scores on a 20-yard reception in the first half of an NCAA… Penn State's Kaytron Allen scores on a 20-yard reception in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) looks to throw in the first half of an NCAA… Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) looks to throw in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State's Nick Singleton runs with the ball in the first half of an NCAA football… Penn State's Nick Singleton runs with the ball in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State tight end Tyler Warren catches a pass in the first half of an NCAA… Penn State tight end Tyler Warren catches a pass in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State wide receiver Trey Wallace III (6) hauls in a reception in the first half… Penn State wide receiver Trey Wallace III (6) hauls in a reception in the first half of an NCAA football game against West Virginia, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State's KJ Winston Jr. (2) brings down West Virginia's Jahiem White in the first half… Penn State's KJ Winston Jr. (2) brings down West Virginia's Jahiem White in the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State's Abdul Carter (11) motions after the defense recovered a West Virginia fumble in the… Penn State's Abdul Carter (11) motions after the defense recovered a West Virginia fumble in the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a pass during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cheerleaders perform during the second… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cheerleaders perform during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) catches a pass and runs for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) catches a pass and runs for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) catches a pass and runs for a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Players fight for a loose ball during the second… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Players fight for a loose ball during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) celebrates with Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh (68) after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun Penn State safety Jaylen Reed (1) breaks up a pass intended for West Virginia's Traylon Ray… Penn State safety Jaylen Reed (1) breaks up a pass intended for West Virginia's Traylon Ray in the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Morgantown, W. Va.
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33)… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) pressures a pass from West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Jaylen Reed (1) breaks… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Jaylen Reed (1) breaks up a pass intended for West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Traylon Ray (7) during the first quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Anthony Wilson Jr. (12) celebrates… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Anthony Wilson Jr. (12) celebrates after a play during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Jalen Kimber (3) and… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Jalen Kimber (3) and Penn State Nittany Lions safety Jaylen Reed (1) celebrate after a defensive stop during the first quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin talks… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin talks to a referee during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Football: Penn State at West Virginia Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) fumbles a… Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) fumbles a snap during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
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