Riding a two-game winning streak including a 37-10 blowout victory over Nebraska on Saturday, Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith met with a small contingent of media members the Monday before Thanksgiving.
Smith fielded questions about various topics, including his candidacy to become the next permanent head coach, an improved offensive showing under his watch and a special memory with running back Kaytron Allen.
Here’s what he said.
Earning an interview
A week ago, Smith said he had not had a formal interview with athletic director Pat Kraft to be the Nittany Lions’ next head coach, though he viewed the on-field product as his interview.
Penn State has now won its first two Big Ten games of the season under his watch and is poised for a bowl appearance if it can defeat Rutgers on Saturday, adding to Smith’s resume. But he also said there are plans in place for a sit-down with Kraft.
Regarding his qualifications for the role, Smith expanded on his post-game comments by campaigning for himself to land the role, which his players have already done plenty of.
“No one knows Penn State better than me, I know the history, culture, DNA, locker room, administration, I think I’m a good leader, a leader of men,” Smith said. “That will take care of itself when the time comes.”
Spreading the ball
Though the Nittany Lions primarily kept the ball on the ground against the Cornhuskers, quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer posted one of the most efficient stat lines in program history, tying the school record for single-game completion percentage at 91.7%.
Grunkemeyer’s 11-for-12 mark matched Pete Liske’s record from 1963 as he passed for 181 yards and a touchdown.
“I’m really happy with how the pass game, the last two games, has evolved,” Smith said.
Penn State found success on the dig route and flood concept, mixing in vertical shots. Grunkemeyer was able to connect with six different pass-catchers, which Smith said led to their success.
“We want to be efficient,” Smith said. “We want to spread the ball out. The key is to be unpredictable. And this past Saturday, we were the most unpredictable we’ve been all season.”
Feasting with Fatman
Since taking over, Smith has made it a priority to get Allen more touches. His carries per game increased from 11.7 under James Franklin to 23.6 under Smith. After breaking the program record for career rushing yardage against Nebraska, Allen spoke about his deep relationship with Smith, which stems from a Thanksgiving years ago.
Smith described Allen as quiet, often offering a head nod as he passed him in the team facilities but nothing more. However, when Allen was unable to make it home to Virginia a few years ago to be with his family, Smith invited the running back to his family gathering instead.
His nephew, Tank Smith, was in the same position room with Allen and helped set up the arrangement. They drove together to Pittsburgh, where Allen got to see a different side of the then-cornerbacks coach. That day, Smith fed Kaytron in a literal sense.
“He saw me in a different light,” Smith said. “He saw me with my family, my entire family. And it’s really good for our young people to be able to see us as role models differently than coaches. See us with our kids, see us with our families, and he saw me differently, and from that day forward, Kaytron and I became like that, and we have a different relationship now.”
