STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The narrative surrounding Penn State head coach James Franklin’s inability to win against elite competition intensified Saturday night after the Nittany Lions suffered a heartbreaking 30-24 double-overtime loss to No. 6 Oregon in the “White Out” game at Beaver Stadium.

The defeat drops Franklin’s record against AP top-10 opponents to a troubling **4-21** during his tenure at Penn State. This includes a dismal 1-18 record against top-10 teams within the Big Ten conference, a statistic that now puts immense pressure on the program’s aspirations for a College Football Playoff berth.

James Franklin’s Historical Struggles Against Elite Teams

Franklin’s 4-21 (.160) winning percentage against AP top-10 teams is tied for the third-worst record by a coach (minimum of 25 games) at a single school since the poll era began in 1936, according to ESPN Research. This historical context highlights the persistent “hump” Penn State has failed to clear in pivotal matchups.

Facing the media after the dramatic defeat, Franklin acknowledged the criticism and took ownership of the results:

“I get that narrative and it’s really not a narrative — it’s factual. It’s the facts,” Franklin said. “I try to look at the entire picture and what we’ve been able to do here. But at the end of the day, we got to find a way to win those games. I totally get it. And I take ownership. I take responsibility.”

The Frustration of the Fan Base

Penn State entered the game ranked No. 3 and the atmosphere of the “White Out” provided maximum intensity, yet the outcome fueled the frustration of one of college football’s most invested fan bases. The loss moves Penn State’s overall season record to 3-1 (0-1 Big Ten).

“We have a passionate fan base,” Franklin added. “When we win, there’s nothing better. When we lose, there’s nothing worse. So, I get it. I get the frustration that comes with a fan base that is invested and cares.”

Oregon Game Recap: A Tale of Comeback and Heartbreak

The game against Oregon was a microcosm of Penn State’s ‘big game’ struggles: a slow start followed by a furious, but ultimately incomplete, comeback.

Penn State trailed 17-3 late in the fourth quarter before senior quarterback Drew Allar rallied the team, engineering back-to-back touchdown drives to force overtime. The Nittany Lions scored a touchdown on the third play of the opening overtime possession, giving them the temporary lead.

However, Oregon answered with a touchdown and then scored again on the first snap of the second overtime.

The Ducks’ victory was sealed on the very next play when Allar threw a game-ending interception to safety Dillon Thieneman.

Drew Allar’s Big Game Woes Continue

The interception marked another costly turnover for the quarterback in a high-stakes moment. Allar’s fourth-quarter interception in the College Football Playoff semifinals last season led directly to Notre Dame’s game-winning field goal, ending Penn State’s previous campaign.

Allar, who became Penn State’s starter in 2023, is now 0-6 in his career against AP top-6 opponents. His only victory against a top-10 team came in last year’s CFP quarterfinals against Boise State.

“Obviously, it hurts,” Allar said. “We had our opportunities. … But it’s a long season ahead of us. We’re going to have more opportunities to fix this — and I’ll be the first one to go into the fire.”

What’s Next for the Nittany Lions?

While the path to the CFP has become significantly harder, Penn State still has several pivotal Big Ten matchups remaining, including a crucial road game at No. 1 Ohio State on November 1st, and a home contest against No. 11 Indiana a week later.

The Nittany Lions will have a chance to regroup as they face a bye week before their next scheduled contest:

• Next Game: at UCLA Bruins
• Date: Saturday, October 4

With their national championship hopes heavily dented, the focus now shifts to navigating the highly competitive Big Ten and improving Franklin’s infamous record against the conference’s best.