Penn State WR Chase Sowell Speaks on Team's Mindset Heading Into Back of the Year

It's been a year of disappointment in Happy Valley for the Penn State Nittany Lions. After nearly a year ago at this time that the they made the decision to move on from James Franklin, and the early return is that there is no return at all.

The football program is nearly in the same spot that it was when Franklin left it, likely in a worse position, but they still have some things to fight for this season. 

The Nittany Lions have five games left on the calendar that they need to try to find a win in. It begins this weekend with a game against the Purdue Boilermakers, which they are big-time 7.5-point favorites against.

Then, it is a trip out to Washington before games against Minnesota, Rutgers, and Maryland to end the year. 

As they head into this weekend's game with a 3-4 record, they have to dig deep for motivation wherever they can find it. On Tuesday, wide receiver Chase Sowell spoke to the media about the team's mindset heading into these final five football games.

He commented that the Nittany Lions need to remember to still enjoy it and still compete for one of the greatest universities, representing those who want to show that they love football and love to compete.

It's a tough look when the team is having to rely on "having fun" and "enjoying" playing football, and the calendar hasn't turned to November yet. 

The Penn State football program has really been such a negative this year, and there is really no other way to put it. For head coach Matt Campbell, this is a very important time to decide who on his team wants to be in Happy Valley and who wants to be a part of this program going forward into the future.

Campbell has to get all of this turned around, and he has to do it quickly. His comfort level around his job is going to change drastically if they continue down this current path that they are on. 

He should get the opportunity to coach through the year, and then when they get to next year, he is going to need to win right away without any exceptions. To start setting the foundation for that, a good end to the season would do wonders.

Whatever he has to do to motivate the team, he has to do. Whether it is making sure they are having fun or finding something else that makes them tick, he has to push those buttons. 

His wide receiver has is 'why,' now the rest of the team has to buy into it all.