STATE COLLEGE — James Franklin hoped all week his team would start fast and play with the passion it hadn’t yet found early in games this season.

The usually subdued coach pushed the right buttons.

Before Penn State’s 34-27 win over Temple on Saturday, Franklin hopped around inside Beaver Stadium’s limestone-lined tunnel, trading shoves and screams with a handful of players before they took the field.

“It’s cool seeing coach Franklin get so pumped up,” wide receiver Chris Godwin said. “He’s a fiery guy, he’s very passionate about what he does.”

Trace McSorley completed 18 of 24 passes for 287 yards with one touchdown and rushed for another as Penn State’s offense scored on three of its first five drives. Penn State (2-1) didn’t let up despite losing its best player on the first play of the game.

Star running back Saquon Barkley hobbled off the field favoring his left leg but was able to return for the second half.

By then, the Nittany Lions needed him.

The Owls (1-2) trailed 21-10 at halftime but took advantage of a handful of Penn State miscues in the second half.

Delvon Randall intercepted a McSorley pass and returned it deep into Penn State territory to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Phillip Walker. Two drives later, Temple took possession deep in Penn State’s territory when a punt bounced off of Nittany Lion gunner Amani Oruwariye. Jahad Thomas scored his second touchdown of the day three plays later to cut Penn State’s lead to 27-24 with 8:10 left.

Barkley took it from there. He burst up the middle, used two stutter-steps to make defenders miss and outran Temple defensive backs for a 55-yard score.

“I didn’t stay up last night thinking about I’m going to shove them and push them to start fast,” Franklin said. “It’s just kind of what I did, trying to have some fun with them, trying to loosen them up.”