Terry Smith isn't pretending things are fine at Penn State. The interim head coach spoke openly this week about the fallout from James Franklin's firing and the emotions running through a locker room that once had national title hopes.
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Just two months ago, the Nittany Lions were ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll. Now they've lost three straight and are trying to regroup under a new leader.
"We all failed Coach Franklin. That's why he's not here," Smith told reporters Wednesday.
Team captain Nick Dawkins echoed the same guilt many players are feeling.
"Ultimately, as players, it's an overwhelming sense of guilt — like we got our coach fired," Dawkins said, via Sports Illustrated. "We didn't play well enough, we didn't do our job good enough. And now he doesn't have a job anymore."
Smith said he understands what his players are going through, especially with the added blow of losing quarterback Drew Allar to a season-ending injury.
"Obviously, this is a challenging week," Smith said. "They're all hurt and torn, disappointed in what happened. We're just taking the time to mentor these guys, spend some quality time with them, and get them motivated again."
Penn State canceled practice Sunday after Franklin's dismissal and has been easing back into its routine. Smith said each day the team looks a little better.
The Nittany Lions don't have long to recover. They'll face Iowa's top-10 defense this weekend before a brutal stretch that includes No. 1 Ohio State and No. 3 Indiana.
