The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat. Penn State Football has experienced both sides of that spectrum during the James Franklin era.
Plenty of heartbreak, and lots of inspiration.
Franklin‘s time at Penn State has been full of dichotomy. And today we are sticking with the magical moments, that we all tune in and hope to see. And, hopefully, the 2024 campaign will bring more of those joyous celebrations in the months ahead.
The moments are forever in our memories and inspire us to continue through the tough times and frustrations as fans, to glimpse, be there, and remember the moments of glory.
James Franklin’s Top-5 Moments as Penn State Football Head Coach
No. 5 – 2017: Silencing Kinnick
Trace McSorley‘s game-winning touchdown pass to Juwan Johnson on the final play against Iowa
Entering Kinnick Stadium is always a challenge, especially at night. In 2017, Penn State faced a tough battle against Iowa, with Saquon Barkley leading the offensive charge.
Despite the Hawkeyes’ strong defense, the Nittany Lions never gave up. With just four seconds left on 4th and Goal, McSorley connected with Juwan Johnson for a dramatic touchdown, securing a thrilling victory.
4. 2022: Purdue Walkoff on National Television
Sean Clifford‘s touchdown pass secured a victory against Purdue.
Penn State Football, coming off two disappointing seasons, was in dire need of a turnaround.
The Nittany Lions faced Purdue on a Thursday night to kick off the 2022 season. In a closely contested game, Penn State was trailing by three points with time running out. Clifford led a crucial drive down the field, ultimately connecting with Keyvone Lee for the game-winning touchdown. This pivotal moment set the tone for a successful season that culminated in a Rose Bowl victory.
3. 2016: James Franklin’s Turning Point
The game between Penn State and Minnesota in 2016 often goes unnoticed in the context of Penn State’s Big Ten title-winning season.
However, this game marked a significant turning point for the Lions and potentially for Franklin’s coaching career. Despite a halftime deficit and being booed off the field, Penn State rallied back with key plays from McSorley, Davis, and Barkley.
This victory sparked a nine-game winning streak and set the stage for a successful season.
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2. 2016 Big Ten Championship
The 2016 season witnessed a pivotal moment during the Big Ten Championship game against Wisconsin.
Despite facing a potential blowout, Penn State showcased its resilience as a second-half team. Trailing by 21 points, the Nittany Lions mounted an impressive comeback, outscoring Wisconsin 31-3.
With Wisconsin having one last opportunity on 4th down late in the 4th quarter, Penn State’s defense stepped up to secure a crucial stop.
1. 2016: Marcus Allen’s crucial field goal block against No. 2 Ohio State.
Penn State was in need of a significant victory, and they achieved just that by defeating Ohio State.
The game-changing moment occurred when Marcus Allen blocked Ohio State’s field goal attempt, leading to a touchdown return by Grant Haley.
This win not only turned the season around but also had a positive impact on the program as a whole.
It’s obvious that the 2016 football season for the Nittany Lions was the most exciting and magical that Penn State fans have witnessed in a long time.
It was unbelievable in so many ways, and set such a high bar & feeling that I believe the fans, and James Franklin have been hoping to recreate ever since.
MORE: Reliving Some of James Franklin’s Biggest ‘What Ifs’ at Penn State
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He has been recognized for his work as a photographer and has also contributed to various publications including PennLive and The Weather Channel.
Brad is an Air Force veteran, coach and competitive runner that grew up a Nittany Lions fan as his family is originally from the State College area.
His diverse skillset and experiences provide for interesting perspectives on the college football, and sports topics of the day.
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