Penn State's Franklin owns up to poor record vs. top teams: 'It's factual'

Penn State head coach James Franklin accepted responsibility after the No. 3-ranked Nittany Lions lost to No. 6 Oregon 30-24 in double overtime Saturday, marking yet another disappointment against a top-ranked team.

A reporter asked postgame how Franklin maintains his belief after "everything that's happened against ranked teams."

"I get that narrative - and it's really not a narrative, it's factual. It's the facts," the head coach responded, according to Fox Sports. "I get it. But I try to look at the entire picture and what we've been able to do here. But at the end of the day, we got to find a way to win those games. I totally get it. And I take ownership, and I take responsibility.

"At the end of the day, I wanted that for those kids in that locker room. ... How hard they work, how much they sacrifice, and we had our opportunities. ... Yeah, I take responsibility."

Penn State's record under Franklin against opponents ranked in the top 10 sunk to 4-21 with the loss. He's 1-6 against top-10 teams since 2023.

Penn State trailed Oregon by 14 before rallying and forcing overtime. However, the Nittany Lions couldn't keep up with the Ducks in the second overtime session. Needing a touchdown to answer Oregon, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar threw a game-sealing interception instead.