Although it was only a two-point game late in the third quarter, Penn State beat Memphis, 53-39, in Saturday’s Cotton Bowl Classic after the Nittany Lions held off the Tigers’ solid comeback attempt. In addition to Penn State’s 35 first-half points being the most in the first 30 minutes of the Cotton Bowl history, the 92 combined points were also the most in the bowl’s history.
Naturally, Penn State players celebrated the victory by drenching James Franklin with a Gatorade bath with one second left on the clock. But the team’s six-year head coach had the best possible reaction to the predictable celebration.
After getting soaked, Franklin immediately turned around and tackled senior linebacker Cam Brown, one of the two players holding the Gatorade jug.
James Franklin delivered a tackle after the Gatorade shower 😅 pic.twitter.com/HsYiMJ2xoF
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 28, 2019
To be fair, Franklin has been known to tackle members of his team when he’s absolutely overjoyed.
Of course, college football Twitter absolutely loved it and had jokes, as people were particularly impressed with Franklin’s form.
James Franklin's tackling form is on point 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/nngUddYGvz
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 28, 2019
Best hit of the day in @CottonBowlGame: James Franklin on whoever dumped the Gatorade on him
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 28, 2019
James Franklin with the form tackle after the Gatorade bath pic.twitter.com/2OmvPQSWhs
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) December 28, 2019
James Franklin form tackling his player after the Gatorade bath 😂
— Hunter Henzler (@CoachHenzler) December 28, 2019
James Franklin scores a solid post-Gatorade bath takedown on Senior LB Cam Brown, and should be credited accordingly in the box score. #CottonBowl
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 28, 2019
James Franklin did his best Micah Parsons impression after this Gatorade bath. pic.twitter.com/5DJeNRyMrT
— Onward State (@OnwardState) December 28, 2019
James Franklin tackling his player that doused him in gatorade was incredible. 10/10
— EastCoast910 (@EastCoast910_) December 28, 2019
James Franklin deserves at least a half sack for this tackle pic.twitter.com/fFTmm4ATuU
— Korked Bats (@korkedbats) December 28, 2019
James Franklin showing great form on this tackle after getting a Gatorade shower pic.twitter.com/kSslFHsJrp (via @SportsCenter)
— FanSided (@FanSided) December 28, 2019
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