James Franklin Responds to Penn State Fan Frustration: ‘I Understand It’
In a high-stakes, double-overtime battle at Happy Valley on Saturday night, the Penn State Nittany Lions fell short against the Oregon Ducks. Despite a thrilling game under the lights during the annual White Out, it was another painful loss in a big moment for head coach James Franklin.
Franklin has helped keep Penn State nationally relevant since taking over in 2014, but his record in marquee matchups continues to draw scrutiny. After the Oregon defeat, Franklin is now just 4-21 against Top-10 teams during his tenure. That stat has fueled growing frustration among the fanbase—something that became evident during the game when some students chanted “Fire Franklin,” and boos rang out as the offense struggled.
Following the game, Franklin didn’t shy away from the criticism. He acknowledged the disappointment among fans and expressed appreciation for their passion.
“We’ve got an incredibly passionate fan base,” Franklin said. “There were 111,000 people in the stadium, and the atmosphere was unbelievable. That passion is what makes this place special—when we win, there’s no place better, and when we lose, it stings. I totally understand the frustration that comes from people who care deeply and invest so much. I get it.”
While Franklin has led Penn State to plenty of success—including a 104-43 overall record, a Big Ten title in 2016, and now a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff in 2024—the narrative that his teams falter in critical games continues to haunt the program.
This year’s squad came into the season with championship hopes, buoyed by the return of standout quarterback Drew Allar and star running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. The Oregon loss doesn’t eliminate their CFP hopes, but it does make the road ahead more challenging.
Skepticism about Penn State’s ability to deliver in big games lingered even before the season began. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, for instance, was blunt in his doubts, saying, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Now sitting at 3-1, Penn State will need to regroup quickly. More chances to silence critics lie ahead with key matchups against top Big Ten opponents still on the schedule. But first, they’ll hit the road to face the UCLA Bruins next week, hoping to get back on track.
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