On Penn State’s first drive on defense of the College Football Playoff First Round matchup with SMU, the Nittany Lions sideline turned into chaos.
As the Mustangs moved down field and prepared to go for it on fourth-and-1, Penn State head coach James Franklin was seen sprinting down the sideline towards defensive line coach Deion Barnes. An irate Franklin had a brief shouting interaction with Barnes.
James Franklin already unhinged in a big game. What else is new. pic.twitter.com/MQ7zQqrLlg
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) December 21, 2024
Prior to SMU’s fourth-down attempt, Penn State defensive tackle Coziah Izzard came over to the sideline looking to come off the field before Barnes shouted at him as he quickly returned on the field. As SMU called a timeout before the snap, Izzard returned to the sideline as the two exchanged some more words.
SMU’s first drive quickly moved down field with it’s up-tempo offense, including a sizable pass play to tight end Matthew Hibner and a pass interference call on Key’Shawn Smith that eventually led to the fourth-down play.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.At the PSU 19-yard line, Kevin Jennings took the snap, moved right with an option to keep for the first down. Instead, he threw it towards the goal line but was behind Hibner for an incompletion.
As Penn State held defensively on its first test, it showed quick adjustments and struck with a splash play on the next drive. Izzard applied pressure up the middle as Jennings released a pass that was picked off by Dominic DeLuca and returned for a 23-yard pick-six to put the Nittany Lions ahead 7-0.
DOM DELUCA PICK 6!!!!!
BEAVER STADIUM IS AN ELECTRIC FACTORY!!!! pic.twitter.com/fx9ZBRjPK0
— Barstool Penn State (@PSUBarstool) December 21, 2024
