Approaching the 10th game with three regular-season dates left and a likely appearance in the College Football Playoff, Franklin said it’s the time of the year when practice time gets cut.

That includes shaving minutes, numbers of repetitions (particularly for starters) and reducing time in full pads.

Franklin called it a “gradual reduction” adding it’s important that all staff members are on the same page, from coordinators, position coaches and strength staff.

“And as the head coach, what I have to make sure is happening is that everybody’s doing that,” he said. “Because what happens is that position coach doesn’t want to give up any of his time. He wants the strength coach to reduce it. The strength coach doesn’t want to touch any of his time, he wants it to come out of the position individual. And so on. So everybody’s got be on the same page and we’re doing what’s in Penn State’s best interests and what’s in the players’ best interests.”

At the same time, he said, “At the end of the day, you still need the reps to make sure you’re prepared to play the game.”

Scouting Purdue

The Boilermakers are struggling.

They have lost eight straight and bring up the rear of the 18-team Big Ten after opening the season with a win over Indiana State.

In their Top 5 matchups, they were shutout by Ohio State (45-0) last week in Columbus and at home against Oregon (35-0).

Their most competitive conference games were overtime losses at Illinois (50-49) and at home vs. Northwestern (26-20).

Walters was the defensive coordinator at Illinois in 2021 when the Illini came to Beaver Stadium and beat the Lions in nine overtimes.

“We obviously know his background well,” Franklin said. “He did a phenomenal job at Illinois.”

Now in his second season at Purdue, Walters is calling the Boilermakers’ offensive plays.

“As a defensive guy, that’s impressive as well as challenging,” Franklins aid.

Purdue is in transition, having brought in more than 30 players from the transfer portal.

Alignment

Franklin spent the majority of his first decade at Penn State lobbying for better facilities.

He’s been quiet on the topic in the last couple of years, in part because he feels the school has improved its commitment.

“I’m appreciative of all the work that’s gone in over our 11 years,” he said. “That was a battle when I first got here … so I’m very, very proud of the progress we have made. I’m very appreciative of the board leadership over my 11 years here, very appreciative of the presidents and very appreciative of the ADs.”

He has found particular alignment with President Neeli Bendapudi, Athletic Director Pat Kraft and Trustees Chairman Matt Schuyler, who will soon be replaced by David Kleppinger.

“We are (now) getting the type of support at a level that I think this place demands and should have,” Franklin said.

Defensive defection

Senior Hakeem Beamon, who made 18 career starts at defensive tackle but none this year, has left the program, Franklin confirmed.

“I love Hakeem. Love his mom. It’s been probably over seven years from the high school recruiting process and ups and downs and twists and turns and smiles and tears and everything in between,” he said.

He credited Beamon for graduating.

As for replacing Beamon, Alonzo Ford will continue to get snaps behind starters Zane Durant and Dvon J-Thomas and top reserve Coziah Izzard.

“They are three veteran players that have played a ton of football for us,” Franklin said. “We are going to need them to continue to play well as these other guys continue to grow. But I would also view Alonzo as a veteran player for us.”

NOTABLE

• Franklin classified the injury to tailback Nick Singleton as “short term,” but his status for Purdue will be unclear until later this week. Singleton didn’t play in the second half last week against Washington.

• Franklin termed the holding penalty that wiped out Singleton’s 97-yard kickoff return “a fair call.”

• The coach said he “feels” for Washington, which didn’t get home until 7 a.m. Saturday and plays this Friday against UCLA. Franklin wondered if that short turnaround “is in the best interests of the Big Ten.”

• Kickoff for the Nov. 23 game at Minnesota will be at 3:30 p.m. for CBS, it was announced Monday.