Penn State faced a surprising setback on Saturday, becoming the first team this season to lose to UCLA. This marks a notable moment in college football history, as UCLA, struggling early in the season at 0-4, managed a thrilling 42-37 upset against Penn State, ranked No. 7. This is the first time since 1985 that a team with such a record has defeated a top-10 opponent.
UCLA’s quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, shone brightly, scoring a remarkable five touchdowns, leading his team to their first victory of the season. In contrast, fans of Penn State expressed their frustration, calling for the dismissal of head coach James Franklin just ten months after he guided them to the College Football Playoff semifinal. Currently, Franklin’s contract runs until 2031, with a hefty buyout of around $56 million.
This loss wasn’t an isolated incident; it followed a hard-fought game against No. 6 Oregon, where Penn State lost 30-24. This dropped Franklin’s record against top-10 teams to 4-21 during his time at the university. Shockingly, he has a dismal record of 1-18 against Big Ten teams in this group, as highlighted by ESPN.
In Saturday’s game, UCLA dominated early. They held the ball for extended periods and scored on almost every drive in the first half, pulling ahead 24-7. Penn State’s quarterback, Drew Allar, started the second half with a fumble, compounding the Nittany Lions’ difficulties. Although UCLA missed a crucial field goal shortly after, they quickly continued their scoring spree with three more touchdowns.
Penn State’s offense struggled significantly. Despite UCLA’s defense ranking low against the run, they held the Nittany Lions to only 157 rushing yards. This performance marked the first time since 2017 that Penn State allowed an unranked team to score over 42 points.
As the Nittany Lions look ahead, they need to regroup quickly. Upcoming matches against Northwestern and Iowa will be critical before facing No. 1 Ohio State on November 1. The pressure is on Franklin and his team to turn things around.
Recent reports indicate that college football fans are increasingly vocal on social media, reflecting their disappointment over coaching decisions and team performance. With Penn State’s recent struggles, fans are keenly watching how the next games unfold.
For more insights on coaching changes and performance in college football, check out this article on 247Sports.
