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It’s going to be pretty obvious what question Penn State head coach James Franklin gets asked first after today’s game against Michigan – which culminated in a 24-15 loss.
After scoring a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to bring the game within nine points, Franklin made the decision to go for a two-point conversion rather than kicking an extra point.
Had the Nittany Lions kicked the extra point, they would have been down by eight points and could have gone for two after a scoring a touchdown on their final drive. Instead, by failing to convert, it kept Penn State down by two scores, rending the ensuing drive meaningless with just two minutes to play.
Photos of fans at the game shows that fans were baffled by the decision. Analysts were equally stunned.
Thinking about James Franklin in late game situations: pic.twitter.com/4uyebrDp0E
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) November 11, 2023
Why why. Why go for 2???
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) November 11, 2023
Hahaha I don’t get it either! Penn State could’ve made it one possession with an extra point! James Franklin has to be on something. https://t.co/CIijkObjV4
— Ian 😇 🧀 (@halocheesehead) November 11, 2023
Ultimately it didn’t really make much of a difference. The Nittany Lions were unable to get the ball back and the Wolverines ran out the clock to take home the win.
Michigan are now riding a three-game winning streak against Penn State and James Franklin – but this one they were able to achieve without head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines.
Has Penn State hit its ceiling with James Franklin?