Penn State coach James Franklin has often been criticized for his in-game coaching.
That wasn’t the case after Saturday’s 26-25 win over Minnesota.
With 3:47 left and Penn State clinging to a one-point lead and perhaps its season, PSU faced a 4th and 1 from its 34.
It set up to punt, but a punt it was not. Long snapper Tyler Duzansky hiked it TE Luke Reynolds. Reynolds ran for 32 yards, setting Penn State up near the Minnesota red zone.
The Gophers never got the ball back, and No. 4 Penn State improved to 10-1.
Social media had plenty to say about a Penn State win that felt better than most.
Special teams coordinator Justin Lustig drew up that fake punt.
James Franklin gave the green light.
Freshman tight end Luke Reynolds and long snapper Tyler Duzansky executed it to perfection.
The recipe for a play that preserved Penn State's playoff hopes.
— Zach Seyko (@zach_seyko) November 24, 2024
The crazy has come out in full force. So crazy that I even found myself impressed with James Franklin in a late-game situation.
— Connor O'Gara (@cjogara) November 24, 2024
Penn State coach James Franklin on the Nittany Lions’ successful fake punt run by Luke Reynolds vs. Minnesota. WATCH: pic.twitter.com/HxGRQOjGWN
— Mike Poorman (@PSUPoorman) November 24, 2024
Penn State QB Drew Allar has completed at least 70% of passes in eight of the last nine games.
He did that four times in 13 games as a sophomore last season. https://t.co/WqmVHnzdGL
— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) November 24, 2024
#Gophers coach P.J. Fleck on the throw to Aireontae Ersery, taking a field goal there and Penn State’s fake punt:
“I love the call, if 11 doesn’t pop out, there’s nobody there… The field goal was the right call. That’s a heck of a call by James.” @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/8oUk6RwpeP
— Jeff Wald (@JeffWaldFox9) November 24, 2024
Penn state handed Minnesota 9 points and still found a way to win.
— psufootball13 (@psufootball13) November 24, 2024
Penn State will get a home CFP game. I hope it's vs an SEC team. They'll get their asses kicked.
— starblazer (@01Starblazer) November 24, 2024
It’s very common for people to shit on James Franklin. I’ve been critical of him many times myself…
But I don’t think it’s crazy to say that this play call quite literally saved Penn State’s Playoff hopes. Unbelievable decision by Franklin. Gutsy.
— Connor Griffin (@RealCGriff) November 24, 2024
That was ELITE coaching and decision making by James Franklin. Perhaps the best situational coaching I’ve seen from him at Penn State.
— Cory Giger (@CoryGiger) November 23, 2024
James Franklin on that fake punt call pic.twitter.com/s5TWtBFfve
— Kyle Steven (@MrVengeance25) November 23, 2024
The absolute Onions of James Franklin!!!! A fake punt up by 1 on their own side of the field with less than 4 mins to go. That is so ballsy! Playoffs on the line. Incredible.
— David Pollack (@davidpollack47) November 23, 2024
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.BEAT 4-7 MARYLAND WE FINISH 11-1 AND GET A HOME PLAYOFF GAME pic.twitter.com/YA7YpoZrAi
— The Penn State Troll 🦁🧌 (@ThePSUTroll) November 24, 2024
Three hours of complete misery capped off with 5 minutes of joy. The story of being a Penn State fan. Let’s do it again next week. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/8KmnqoPvry
— Kevin Horne (@KevinHornePSU) November 23, 2024
Finebaum is drafting his “Penn State would lose to Florida” speech as we speak.
In 1986, we won a bunch of games ugly and close.
Close is a win. 1 point is all you need. The rest is for ego.
— Scott Paterno, Just a Guy (@ScottPaterno) November 23, 2024
PJ Fleck chewing gum he found on the turf was the turning point Penn State needed pic.twitter.com/gs83Ncfw3k
— Mike Rudner (@mikerudner) November 23, 2024
Live look at James Franklin walking off the field: pic.twitter.com/pXz7RuvJlh
— Black Shoe Diaries (@BSDtweet) November 23, 2024
Thank you James Franklin for understanding the situation and putting it all out there when it mattered the most
— The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) November 24, 2024
James Franklin deserves his flowers. With the 2024 season on the line he showed heart and guts tonight.
That’s the attitude this team needs to play with every single game
— The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) November 23, 2024
James Franklin just does not lose to teams he is supposed to beat. It isn’t always pretty but his teams figure it out.
— Paul Zeise (@PaulZeise) November 23, 2024
Minnesota HC P.J. Fleck called #PennState TE Tyler Warren a 'special player' in his press conference on Saturday after the Nittany Lions' narrow win over the #Gophers.
"I still don't know why people don't talk about him for the Heisman Trophy."
Watch what he had to say below… pic.twitter.com/wcl6eno5D8
— DylanCallaghanCroley (@RivalsDylanCC) November 24, 2024
fans of SEC teams with playoff aspirations have no idea what it's like to watch their team get dragged into the mud and win anyway like penn state just did
— Bill DiFilippo (@billdifilippo) November 23, 2024
Drew Allar making something out of nothing to ice the contest. Allar, once again, leads Penn State to a comeback road victory
Allar finished the game 21-28, 244 yards and a touchdown
Warren racked up 102 yards on eight catches
— Alex Rocco (@AlexRocco13_) November 24, 2024
All three fourth downs Penn State converted on the final drive of the game: pic.twitter.com/0Fe9Vtpb8W
— Lexie Linderman (@lexieleigh28) November 24, 2024
We’ve lost so many of those games.
— NittsNatsNoles (@NittanyNole96) November 24, 2024
Relieved pic.twitter.com/xnLlPrYovg
— Jarred Walp (@jaywalp) November 24, 2024
Blood pressure still high
— Duke4 (@RJGreen417) November 24, 2024
James Franklin’s balls dropped. Proud of him
— Buzz (@Buzz21Five) November 24, 2024
