When it’s white out games, James Franklin’s excitement hits another level. After all, Penn State Nittany Lions hold a 11-6 record during them. Five of those six losses came against top-15-ranked teams. But looks like this time the tables are going to turn. Dan Lanning’s boys travelled to the Beaver Stadium and flipped the script.

While the game was still on, Oregon Ducks beat writer Xachary Neel dropped a concerning update. He wrote on X, “”Fire Franklin” chants are reigning out here in Beaver Stadium…” But wasn’t there already a heads-up for Franklin? Falling prey to Lanning and co.’s dominance, Oklahoma State Sooners head coach Mike Gundy was fired after 20-plus years. Definitely, Franklin and Gundy are in a completely different situation.

After Oklahoma State went 0–9 in Big 12 play last season, the warning signs were there. Franklin won’t be ousted over a loss to Top-10 Oregon like Gundy was. Though the Nittany Lions have been in the national title conversation, not many see them as the real deal. But what made the fans shout out their ‘Fire Franklin’ chants?

The game was a defensive showcase in the first half with only 6 combined points for both teams. Then Oregon was able to score its first touchdown in the third quarter. A 10 play 80 yard drive that chewed up almost 6 minutes off the clock. Penn State went scoreless that quarter. Then came the fourth quarter. Again, Lanning and his boys went for 10 plays and 75 yards eating up close to 5 minutes off the clock. But the final play is what set the fans off.

The Ducks had the ball on fourth-and-1 at the 9-yard line. Given the norm, teams in this situation might kick a field goal to take a two-score lead. Instead, Lanning decided to go for it. An 8 yard run by Jordon Davison made the score 17-3. This is when the frustrations soared up against Franklin, and the firing chants began. The Beaver Stadium crowd, which set an attendance record with an official attendance of 111,015 might have wanted to show the head coach the exit door then and there.  

On September 25, TickPick came up with ‘Top 10 Most Expensive College Football Games.’ As per TickPick’s IG post, at No.1 was Penn State vs Oregon at $412. After the Penn State-Oregon mania, Georgia vs. Alabama checked in at $410, and Washington vs. Ohio State was at $131. Franklin was flexing the craze of the game. “Franklin says there’s been cousins that he hasn’t heard from in 25 years that have reached out to him asking for whiteout tickets. 🤣 The cheapest ticket to get in is $416 for Penn State vs. Oregon,” tweeted Penn State insider Rocco Pellegrino.

The Penn State Athletics page sent a note of gratitude, “111,015 STRONG ‼️That makes for the 2nd highest attendance in Beaver Stadium HISTORY! Thank you so much to everyone who showed out today for this historical evening! 🦁⚪️#WeAre.” But what did they get in return? A 24-30 loss in overtime.

James Franklin’s boys fell prey to late-game heroics as Dan Lanning kept his promise

With seven minutes left, needing a game-tying score, Franklin’s boys orchestrated a masterful 15-play, seven-minute drive, converting two fourth downs before Devonte Ross punched it in from seven yards out with just 30 seconds remaining. The score was now 17-17.

Lanning, content to take it to overtime, handed Penn State the first possession. Kaytron Allen punched it in from four yards out, giving Franklin and co. an early 7-point lead in overtime. On Oregon’s first overtime possession, Dante Moore made plays when it counted, completing a seven-yard pass on third-and-eight and scrambling to convert a fourth-and-one. Jamari Johnson then powered in a two-yard touchdown, sending the game into a second overtime period.

Oregon struck first in 2OT as Moore connected with Gary Bryant Jr. for a 25-yard touchdown, but a failed two-point attempt left the score at 30–24. Franklin’s Drew Allar threw an interception on the next play, sealing a thrilling walk-off victory for the Ducks, one of the season’s most dramatic and clutch performances. And that’s how Lanning lived up to his promise. 

On September 22, Oregon insider Zachary Neel had tweeted how Dan Lanning had put the James Franklin and co. on the edge. He wrote, “”We will do everything we can to be prepared for that environment.” — Dan Lanning on playing in the white-out at Penn State.” For Franklin, it is going to be a long night of film study for him and his coaching staff as they look to correct their mistakes and save this season from any further heartbreaks.