INDIANAPOLIS — Penn State football head coach James Franklin sat at a press conference podium late into the night, just hours after his team's tough 45-37 loss to the No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks in the Big Ten Championship Game. With him were two of his team’s leaders — defensive tackle D’Von J-Thomas and quarterback Drew Allar — as Franklin addressed the media with a sense of urgency and optimism.
Despite the frustration of the defeat, Franklin seemed resolute in his belief that this setback could serve as a turning point for his team. Though the loss stung, he remained confident that his players could grow from the experience and use it as fuel for the road ahead.
"This is a new era in college football," Franklin said. "We have a 12-team playoff, and our season is just beginning."
The coach emphasized that Penn State's journey was far from over, and they would have the chance to prove themselves in the postseason, regardless of whether they played a home game in frigid conditions or had to travel on the road. Franklin’s message was clear: Penn State would be ready for whatever came next.
"We'll find out on Sunday whether it's a home game in 16 inches of snow or an away game," Franklin said. "But we’ll be excited, we’ll be prepared, and we’ll be ready. We have two losses this year, both to top-five teams. We had a shot to win both, and we've learned a lot from both — Ohio State, and now tonight."
Though the game was disappointing in many ways — particularly how Penn State's defense, which had been a strength all season, struggled to make key stops against the Ducks — Franklin chose to focus on the positives. Despite allowing Oregon to control much of the game, the Nittany Lions fought back, keeping their hopes alive until the final moments.
"One of the frustrations was how we couldn't get enough stops when we needed them," Franklin acknowledged. "And we had some self-inflicted wounds — four 15-yard penalties early and two costly interceptions from Drew Allar. But even with all of that, our guys never quit."
Indeed, the Nittany Lions showed resilience throughout the game, especially after a slow start. Despite trailing early, they mounted a strong comeback effort, including a solid performance on the ground and better-than-expected play from their wide receivers. Even when the defense wasn't as successful as it had been in previous games, they continued to battle, never giving up.
"I’m proud of how hard our guys fought," Franklin said. "Despite everything that went wrong, we still had a chance to tie the game with two minutes left. Our defense kept fighting, and we ran the ball better than we have all season."
Penn State's offense showed flashes of brilliance, moving the ball effectively and generating big plays. However, the turnovers and penalties ultimately proved too much to overcome. The Nittany Lions were penalized four times for 15 yards each and made critical mistakes that allowed Oregon to maintain control. Yet, Franklin was quick to point out that these missteps could be valuable learning experiences moving forward.
"We'll learn from this," he said. "We’ll flush it, we’ll move forward, and we’ll get better because of it. I’m confident we will."
The path to the College Football Playoff is still very much alive for Penn State, and Franklin believes that with continued growth and focus, the team can overcome these challenges and compete for a national title.
"We’ve got time to improve," he concluded. "We’ll get better because of this loss, and we’ll be ready for whatever comes next."
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