James Franklin is setting records at Penn State.
Not the kind that he wants to establish.
On Saturday, for the first time in the history of a program that got its start in 1887, Penn State plummeted to 0-5 on the season. Again, in 133 years of noteworthy history, the 2020 Nittany Lions own a piece of the program’s most dubious history.
And Franklin said he hasn’t gotten the job done this year when asked about his performance as coach.
“It’s not good enough,” Franklin told reporters, after Penn State was pummeled, 41-21 at home.
Since a last-minute meltdown against Indiana in the season opener, PSU has dropped its last four games by a combined 56 points; the Nittany Lions have trailed by more than 14 points in each of those contests.
Franklin, who has shuffled quarterbacks, also again pointed to his offense’s turnover-prone ways through the first five games of the season. Penn State has committed 13 turnovers – eight interceptions, five lost fumbles.
“That’s been the story of the season,” Franklin said. “Turnovers.”
A downward trend has been the story of Penn State since late in the 2019 season. The Nittany Lions have lost seven of their last 10 games; five by double figures.
Like Michigan, Penn State has receded further and further out of view of Big Ten king, Ohio State. Franklin said fumbles and the team’s overall turnover issues hampered the coaches’ decision-making process.
Then, Franklin pleaded for team unity.
“We need to stick together as a family and as a team and stay positive,” he said. “We’re being challenged right now.”
