Penn State is 0-4 to start the shortened Big Ten season, and that’s a record pretty much no one expected.
The Nittany Lions have lost to Indiana, Ohio State, Maryland and, after Saturday’s game, Nebraska, which won its first game of the season with a 30-23 victory.
It’s the first time Penn State opened a season with an 0-4 record since 2001 and is now one of just two Big Ten teams without a win this year. Needless to say, its fans were furious.
The Nittany Lions out-gained Nebraska, 501 yards to 298 yards, and had 13 more first downs than the Cornhuskers and still managed to lose the game. Quarterback Sean Clifford struggled. He threw an interception in the first quarter, and in the second quarter, he was sacked, lost the ball and watched Nebraska scoop it up and score a touchdown before he was replaced by Will Levis.
🚨 SCOOP AND SCORE 🚨@HuskerFBNation comes up with ANOTHER big defensive play to extend their first half lead pic.twitter.com/bDuhhQclf3
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 14, 2020
Still, Penn State went into halftime down, 27-6. The Nittany Lions came back and was down by seven with the ball in the final fourth-quarter seconds, but Levis and co. just couldn’t find the end zone against Nebraska’s defense.
Coach James Franklin took the bulk of the criticism and jokes from college football fans on Twitter with people questioning the team’s preparation and the play-calling. Some people wondered if this season could cost him his job — though that seems particularly unlikely after Franklin recently signed a new six-year contract that runs through 2025 and guarantees him at least $38.2 million.
What a defensive stand by @HuskerFBNation 💪 pic.twitter.com/0ESavbnuun
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 14, 2020
In addition to just roasting Franklin, college football Twitter also drew some comparisons to Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who is regularly criticized when the Wolverines fail to meet expectations.
comically bad last two plays by PSU, woof.
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) November 14, 2020
Penn State Red Zone play calling … again trash.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 14, 2020
Preseason No. 7 Penn State moves to 0-4 pic.twitter.com/aIAdIOqznV
— Max Olson (@max_olson) November 14, 2020
James Franklin complained all off-season about wanting to play. Well… he played himself because….. pic.twitter.com/WNvBQhDeEQ
— Chief (@SavedBy_Jbell) November 14, 2020
This has to be the worst tackling Nittany Lion team in James Franklin's tenure.
— Justin Morganstein (@jmo31800) November 14, 2020
Penn State 0-4 and just lost to a winless team. pic.twitter.com/486r59S0R8
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) November 14, 2020
This exact moment was the beginning of the end for the James Franklin era at Penn State pic.twitter.com/JTk12if1X7
— Bill Gerrity (@BG_CHILLEN) November 14, 2020
Penn State, meet the red zone: pic.twitter.com/G1T8f6z3Mv
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) November 14, 2020
Penn State football right now #PennState #nebraskafootball pic.twitter.com/5SSXyKsQ4z
— Lu Dort Is better than paul george (@lu_dort5) November 14, 2020
Fire James Franklin, Fire James Franklin, Fire James Franklin, Fire James Franklin, Fire James Franklin, Fire James Franklin, Fire James Franklin, Fire James Franklin, Fire James Franklin, Fire James Franklin, Fire James Franklin, Fire James Franklin, Fire James Franklin!
0-4— John Konieczny (@johnkonieczny95) November 14, 2020
James Franklin taking L’s pic.twitter.com/aca1uS46Ps
— 90s Vol 🧡🐝 (@SEC_CRNA) November 14, 2020
James Franklin is a genius.
He leveraged the #FSU job on his #PennState admin.
Got a contract extension.
Is now 0-4.
Brilliant man. pic.twitter.com/FYQi5JD1AD
— CHRIS TORELLO (@TorelloSports) November 14, 2020
James Franklin and Jim Harbaugh are STEALING money 💰 pic.twitter.com/b71Pxs0BRR
— Cyrus #D4L 🐶 (@CyrusD4L) November 14, 2020
Jim Harbaugh and James Franklin on payday #Michigan #PennState pic.twitter.com/Gqw1wi54nH
— IB 🔌 THE GAMBLER (@incarceratedbob) November 14, 2020
Jim Harbaugh: I’m gonna be the worst coach in the Big 10 this year. My players won’t be prepared at all and I’m going to embarrass the university week in and week out.
James Franklin: Hold my beer
— Tortured Michigan Fan (@Miserable_PhD) November 14, 2020
James Franklin and Jim Harbaugh are having a competition for the first to get fired in the Big Ten this season.
— Coach Cal’s Beard (@CoachCalsBeard) November 14, 2020
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