Nittany Lions hope extended offseason leads to better start

Penn State running backs Noah Cain and Devyn Ford run a ball-handling drill during an NCAA college football practice Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in State College, Pa. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

FILE - Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, left, laughs with offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich as they are asked for a picture together during media day at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa., in this Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, file photo. Penn State has a veteran quarterback in Sean Clifford who is working with his fourth offensive coordinator since he arrived on campus. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP, File)

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford yells to the offensive linemen during an NCAA college football practice Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in State College, Pa. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)

Penn State head coach James Franklin speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Penn State head coach James Franklin speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Penn State quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson makes a pass during an NCAA college football practice Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in State College, Pa. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)

Penn State football coach James Franklin watches his players during an NCAA college football practice Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in State College, Pa. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)

FILE - Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) looks to pass during a drill at NCAA college football practice in State College, Pa., in this Saturday, April 17, 2021, file photo. Clifford has spent the better part of five preseasons learning new offenses. Although Penn State’s quarterback is taking cues from his third offensive coordinator in as many years, and fourth since he arrived on campus, Clifford has plenty of reasons to be hopeful. “I expect a lot of points,” Clifford said. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

FILE - Penn State football coach James Franklin, second from front right, congratulates freshman cornerback Kalen King (4) after winning a 1-on-1 against a wide receiver during an NCAA college football practice in State College, Pa., in this Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, file photo. Penn State coach James Franklin believes new play-caller Mike Yurcich will help the Nittany Lions return to their 2016-2019 form where they scored 30 or more in 35 of 53 games and never averaged less than 34 points per game. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)

Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich yells to the offensive line as they prepare for a drill during an NCAA college football practice Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in State College, Pa. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)

Penn State head coach James Franklin speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Penn State cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)