Penn State's head coach James Franklin puts the blame elsewhere after Big Ten Championship loss to Oregon
The Oregon Ducks are your Big Ten Champions, and it just doesn't get old saying those words. In their first year in the conference, they ran the table, finishing the season as the only undefeated team in college football, and won the Big Ten Championship game against Penn State, 45-37. After the game, Penn State head […]
The Oregon Ducks are your Big Ten Champions, and it just doesn't get old saying those words. In their first year in the conference, they ran the table, finishing the season as the only undefeated team in college football, and won the Big Ten Championship game against Penn State, 45-37.
After the game, Penn State head coach James Franklin took the opportunity to offer some comments about what he clearly thinks was a problem.
Franklin had a problem with the officiating, comments that likely won't be loved by the Big Ten. Saying the penalties were 'lopsided,' however, is categorically incorrect.
Penn State was penalized five times for 65 yards. Two of those penalties were very blatant facemasks, and two of them were late hits.
Oregon drew three penalty calls. Sure, there were situations that could have been called, like a missed ineligible man down field call, but missed calls happen in every game.
The reality of the situation is that refs are human. Control what you can control and you would have won the game. Penn State played Oregon as hard as they've been played all season, with their offensive line and running backs taking it to the Ducks front unlike anything Oregon has dealt with this year.
Penn State's Drew Allar threw two interceptions. Oregon didn't turn the ball over once. That was likely the difference in the game.
For Franklin, who had plenty to say about the officiating, losing to Oregon continues a very big trends in his coaching career at Penn State.
Franklin can say what he wants about the officiating, but other than the one white-out home game victory against Ohio State in 2016, Franklin and the Nittany Lions haven't sniffed a big win.
Penn State played a great game. It's a bad look to try and take away from the competition by blaming your loss on officiating.
Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on Bluesky @jonhelmkamp.bsky.social, as well as follow our main page @AtoZSports.bsky.social for all the latest news.
