Only Franklin to blame for Penn State’s inexcusable loss to UCLA [opinion]

PASADENA, Calif. – UCLA appeared to be in disarray with a revolving door of coaching changes over the last several weeks.

Statistically, the Bruins ranked among the worst teams in the country on offense and defense.

Which explains why a lot of folks thought Penn State would stroll into the Rose Bowl Saturday and maul them.

Boy, were we wrong.

The Nittany Lions lacked energy and urgency from the start and suffered the worst loss in James Franklin’s coaching tenure, a 42-37 loss to previously winless UCLA.

They weren’t mentally ready, and that’s on Franklin.

“We made mistakes today that we normally don’t make,” he said. “We had a ton of missed assignments. We had turnovers at critical times. We had penalties at critical times. Things that we really don’t do and haven’t done for a very long time.”

The loss to UCLA came as a shocker because Penn State was ranked seventh and thought to be a championship contender. The Bruins showed why that couldn’t be further from the truth.

It was unbelievable. It was embarrassing. It was inexcusable.

“I think we all just have to take accountability and just try and learn,” defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton said. “It’s a tough loss. Everybody’s just got to look in the mirror.”

Starting with Franklin.

He said before the season that this was the best combination of coaching staff and talent that he’s had in his 12 years at Penn State. The Lions have rarely looked like it during the first five games.

The latest result might have far-ranging effects. Franklin already was facing heat after last week’s 30-24 loss to Oregon in double overtime, which dropped his record against top 10 teams to a ghastly 5-21.

This was different. During his time, the Lions have rarely lost games in which they were heavily favored.

The defense under Jim Knowles, the highest-paid coordinator in the country, was shredded by Nico Iamleava and the Bruins for 435 yards, including 285 in the first half.

The special teams made a blunder in the first several minutes when UCLA recovered an onside kick, which led to a field goal and a 10-0 lead and forced Penn State to play catch up all afternoon.

Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki called for a quarterback option with jet sweep motion on fourth-and-2 from the UCLA 9 in the final minute. The Bruins had wide receiver Trebor Pena and quarterback Drew Allar covered. Allar was tackled for a 3-yard loss.

Game, set and match.

Franklin pointed out the Lions missed starting linebacker Tony Rojas, who suffered a long-term injury earlier in the week. It was a valid point, but other teams lose players, too.

He also mentioned traveling across the country as a disadvantage, but Oregon made the long trip to State College last week and left with a win. Not valid.

Penn State has no margin for error if it wants to return to the College Football Playoff. Win out, including games at Iowa and Ohio State, or miss the CFP.

“I can promise that I will do everything in my power to pour my heart and soul into it every day,” Allar said. “I’m not looking into the future. I’m not looking into the past.

“We have to learn from it. Flush it. Our backs are against the wall. We have to come out swinging every day.”

Their chances of winning their next seven games are a longshot, especially after the way they played against UCLA.

Franklin has enjoyed a lot of support from the fans, especially after last season’s run to the CFP semifinals. But he’s lost a lot of that backing the last two weeks.

He’s won more than 70% of his games at Penn State and has recruited well. Can he lead the Lions to the summit? It doesn’t look that way now.

What will Penn State president Neeli Bendapudi and director of athletics Pat Kraft do if Penn State goes 8-4 or worse? They’ve been strong supporters of Franklin. And it would cost the university a lot of money to buy out Franklin’s contract, so firing him is probably not going to happen.

One thing is certain, though: the fans’ criticism of Franklin is becoming louder and louder.