UNIVERSITY PARK– Penn State is beating SMU but some would argue that this is despite coach James Franklin, not because of him.
On two instances in the first half, Franklin decided to go for it on fourth down when many would have preferred an alternative.
DECISION NO. 1: 4th AND 13
In the first scenario, Penn State was leading 7-0 and facing a 4th and 13 from the SMU 29.
Rather than send Ryan Barker out for a 46-yard field goal– what would have been his career high– in 15 MPH wins, Franklin decided to go for it.
The result was an incomplete pass and a turnover on downs.
Luckily for Penn State, the ensuing Pony possession resulted in a 59-yard Pick 6 by Penn State LB Tony Rojas.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Now, Penn State led 14-o but Franklin wasn’t done making risky calls.
DECISION NO. 2: 4th AND 1 FROM… WHERE?!?
The second Franklin fourth down call wasn’t controversial because of the distance but rather because of where Penn State was on the field. Penn State needed just one yard for a first down but only had the ball on its 19-yard line. Penn State tried a sneak and failed to convert.
But once again, Kevin Jennings let Penn State off the hook by throwing his third interception.
