Everything was set for Penn State to finally change the script. With a top-10 opponent in town, the second-largest crowd in Beaver Stadium’s history, and a roster full of guys who came back specifically for nights like this, the White Out had the perfect stage. Instead, it ended the same way James Franklin’s games always seem to: with another heartbreak — close, but not quite enough. Fans were left wondering whether Drew Allar is truly ‘that guy’ and whether Franklin will ever be able to lift this program out of its big-game slump after a 30-24 double-overtime loss to Oregon.

In the recent episode of Nightcap, Shannon Sharpe, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, and Johnny Manziel react to how the night was as upsetting for Penn State fans as it was for Drew Allar. After going 14-of-25 for just 137 yards with two touchdowns and a costly pick in double overtime, the third-year starter once again failed in a crucial moment. After the game, Shannon Sharpe shook his head at the stat line and said, “I don’t think I’m impressed with that quarterback.” Although Allar had some late-game flashes, including leading two consecutive touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to force overtime, the outcome was similar to that of Notre Dame and the Big Ten championship game the previous year. When the pressure reached its peak, he threw the interception that ended Penn State’s chances.

After yet another mediocre performance, Manziel continued to question whether Allar truly belonged in the NFL talks: “We’re talking about 15 being a guy, can he go to the league? Is he the best quarterback in this class?…137 ain’t it… you’re supposed to have that in a quarter in college.” Sharpe bluntly stated, “You played a game and, and two extra possessions and you had 137 yards passing. So you’re at home against Oregon, and I’m supposed to believe that you a top pick. I don’t know.” Ironically, despite having one of the best TD-to-INT ratios in college football, Allar has been the backbreaking late pick in Penn State’s last three big losses.

The 21-year-old barely completed 50% of his passes, as he averaged just 5.48 yards per pass attempt. What is more is that he could only convert just two-thirds of downs through the air all game long. He took sacks that barely made sense and tried to do too much with his legs, getting stuffed on multiple occasions. Even on the most impressive drive of the game for Penn State that forced overtime, the No. 15 quarterback completed just two of his six passes for 14 total yards.

Further, in Year 1 as the starter, Allar led Penn State to a 10-3 record, but issues persisted when he went against Ohio State, Michigan, and Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. As a result, Franklin moved on from Mike Yurich as his play-caller and hired the innovative Andy Kotelnicki away from Kansas. And in year 2, Allar carried the Nittany Lions to 13-3 with two CFP wins, but he could manage just 12 passes in another loss to the Buckeyes. Then came the Big Ten Championship Game against Oregon, where he threw two interceptions, including a fourth-quarter pick that assured the Ducks’ victory. Eventually, he closed with another 12 completions against Notre Dame.

Fast forward to now, and we saw the blunder the game against Oregon was. Manziel, pointing out the struggles of the head coach, said, “I respect James Franklin. I like him as a coach… but in big situations, four and 21, there’s something going on there where you get nervous or you tighten up.” And Sharpe called out the Nittany Lions while praising the White Out crowd and describing Beaver Stadium as one of the best stadium atmospheres in the sport: “What the hell you think you that was gonna happen if you meet on a neutral site?… The doors blowed off if Oregon meet Penn State on a neutral site again.” In short, even though Penn State’s close fight over the Ducks appeared pleasing in front of 111,000 yelling fans, what if there hadn’t been that advantage? Franklin’s team might not have stood a chance.

Beaver Stadium White Out ends in agony

After Saturday night, it seemed that the Penn State fans had had enough of James Franklin. The most recent “White Out” for the Nittany Lions was supposed to be their big show, but instead, it was just another close but disappointing defeat to a top-10 team. Oregon won 30-24 in double overtime as they left Beaver Stadium, and Franklin’s record against AP top-10 teams dropped to a dismal 4-21. Franklin later acknowledged, “I get that narrative, and it’s really not a narrative; it’s factual. At the end of the day, we have to find a way to win those games. I take ownership. I take responsibility.”

Given how close Penn State was to flipping the script of painful losses. In the fourth quarter, Drew Allar gave the Lions life by leading two late touchdown drives to erase a 17-3 deficit. He even scored again in the first overtime. But one throw changed everything, just like in Notre Dame’s CFP semifinal last year. It all came to an end when Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman caught Allar’s interception in double overtime. Allar remarked, “I tried to get the ball over the guy’s head…He jumped up and caught the ball.” For a fan base that has witnessed far too many of these instances, the words are painfully familiar.

And so the fan base made sure Franklin heard them loud and clear. In the fourth quarter, Beaver Stadium was filled with chants of “Fire Franklin” as frustration flared up once more. His players, however, still support him. “Any time we lose, I feel bad for coach Franklin. I feel like I let him down,” said defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton. For his part, Franklin didn’t back down from the criticism: “I get the frustration. That comes with a fan base that is invested and cares…We have a passionate fan base. When we win, there’s nothing better. When we lose, there’s nothing worse. I get it.” But the issue is that even the fierce fans are now questioning whether “Big Game James” will ever win the big ones.