"No excuses," "Coaching malpractice": Penn State fans want James Franklin fired after humiliating loss to Northwestern

Desperate Penn State fans are hot on the heels of coach James Franklin after the Nittany Lions absorbed a heartbreaking 22-21 loss to Northwestern on Saturday at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Penn State lost for the third straight time after opening the season with three straight wins and the latest setback has left the fans anxious, with some of them wanting Franklin to be fired immediately.

One user believed the season is over following the defeat and wanted no excuses for Penn State's latest failure.

Another fan expressed belief that it was a coaching malpractice on Franklin's part.

Nittany Lions fans went direct to the point by urging the team's athletic department to give the embattled coach his parting papers and downgrade quarterback Drew Allar.

Penn State took a 21-16 lead after Drew Allar ran for a touchdown to cap a six-play, 91-yard drive.

However, Northwestern retaliated with a 12-play, 75-yard effort that was highlighted by Caleb Komolate's nine-yard rushing TD at first-and-goal on the Nittany Lions' nine-yard line.

The hosts had a chance to reclaim the lead but were unsuccessful after Northwestern forced a turnover, awarding them the final possession.

The Wildcats let the clock ran away in the next three minutes to ensure their fourth win in six games and 2-1 in the Big Ten standings.

The loss kept the Nittany Lions winless in three conference games and 3-3 overall.

Penn State stumbles in Big Ten clash with Northwestern

Penn State continued its sudden decline this season and were far beyond the form that kept them on No. 2 in the AP Top 25 poll in the first four weeks.

The Nittany Lions' offense managed to complete 13 first downs and only produced 274 total yards in a grinding game with Northwestern.

Drew Allar failed to get going on big passing plays, managing only 137 yards on 13 of 20 attempts. Turnovers cost Penn State mightily, losing possessions in an opening-play interception and a turnover on downs with three minutes left in the game.

Penn State's defense also went missing in action in this Big Ten clash. The D-line allowed Northwestern 23 first downs and 163 passing yards.

They also gave Wildcats kicker Jake Olsen three chances to score field goals, including two successive FGs that turned a 14-10 deficit to a 16-14 edge in the fourth quarter.

Caleb Komolafe inflicted further heartbreak to the Nittany Lions' defense, rushing for a nine-yard touchdown and retaking the lead that turned out to be the final score of the game.

Penn State will visit Iowa on Oct. 18 as they hope to finally shake off the skid they're in as of the moment.

About the author

Geoffrey Latayan is a journalist who covers college basketball at Sportskeeda. An AB Communication graduate from De La Salle Lipa, he is an avid sports fan who follows college basketball, MLB, NBA and pro wrestling.

As a writer, he's adept at stats and previously covered college sports in the Philippines. Geoff has interviewed former NBA star Detlef Schrempf, although it was way before the "sportsblog" era.

Geoff believes the gap between College sports and major leagues has narrowed thanks to the new stars of the sport, who can give the pro leagues a run for their money.

His favorite college players of all time are Michael Jordan and Allan Iverson. In fact, the Jordan admiration extended to North Carolina becoming his favorite college team as well. Geoff rates Carmelo Anthony winning the national title for Syracuse as his favorite College Sports moment and he is also a die-hard Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia 76ers fan.

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Edited by Geoff