Running up the score

[NittanyLionRoar]

Why is it that only James Franklin gets criticized for this? Anyone see Indiana against Purdue last night? Or Oregon against Washington? Arizona State against Arizona? Nary a word said about them…

This is not 1968 where you try to run out the clock with an 8 point lead. Point differential MATTERS. One of the committee members literally said in an interview this past week that they would be looking at how big PSU and ND could win to decide how to rank those two teams. So they told us exactly what they wanted to see for a higher seeding and we gave it to them.

 

[Obliviax]

Why is it that only James Franklin gets criticized for this? Anyone see Indiana against Purdue last night? Or Oregon against Washington? Arizona State against Arizona? Nary a word said about them…

This is not 1968 where you try to run out the clock with an 8 point lead. Point differential MATTERS. One of the committee members literally said in an interview this past week that they would be looking at how big PSU and ND could win to decide how to rank those two teams. So they told us exactly what they wanted to see for a higher seeding and we gave it to them.

that is true. the beauty contest that the NCAA created has born this.

But for me, 00:04 was out of line. I don't see a lot of difference between 44 and 38 points. And Beau played an entire quarter and much of the 2024 season. This is especially true when we all knew PSU was playing in the B1G championship game. The Beauty contest was over. PSU is pretty much set for the playoffs. We win and we get a bye, we lose and we get a home playoff game. That TD didn't make a difference and we knew it.

 

[Lion84]

Maybe they replayed the Twerps not shaking hands years ago - never too late to get revenge over and over.

 

[PurposePitch]

that is true. the beauty contest that the NCAA created has born this.

But for me, 00:04 was out of line. I don't see a lot of difference between 44 and 38 points. And Beau played an entire quarter and much of the 2024 season. This is especially true when we all knew PSU was playing in the B1G championship game. The Beauty contest was over. PSU is pretty much set for the playoffs. We win and we get a bye, we lose and we get a home playoff game. That TD didn't make a difference and we knew it.

STFU. "They beat us too much! They're too good at the football!" Stop being a biznatch.

You're right ... the TD didn't make a difference. So stop looking for something to be offended by.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Maybe they replayed the Twerps not shaking hands years ago - never too late to get revenge over and over.

Gotta wonder how much that had to go with it. They still have the same coach that pulled that classless stunt.

 

[LandoComando]

I have no problem with what happened but he wasn't critized for destroying Purdue. It was the circumstances behind the late TD. Again I have no issue with it.

 

[Obliviax]

Gotta wonder how much that had to go with it. They still have the same coach that pulled that classless stunt.

Agreed. Apparently, MD was supposed to hire CJF as head coach when he was an assistant there, and their informal "head coach in waiting." But I really think CJF was zoned out and doing other stuff. It comes down to who called that play.

When I played JV, we had two identical twins that played WR and the coaches used them as messenger players (sent in the plays from the coach). In garbage time, the coach sent in simple running plays and these twins kept calling "end around" so they could carry the ball. This happened 4 times in a row, with our coach laughing at it, until he took them out of the game because they wouldn't tell the QB the right plays. In the end, they left the team the following year. Perhaps Beau called the play? Andy K? IDK.

 

[Phil's Rug]

Gotta wonder how much that had to go with it. They still have the same coach that pulled that classless stunt.

Wasn't that Edsall?

 

[republion]

that is true. the beauty contest that the NCAA created has born this.

But for me, 00:04 was out of line. I don't see a lot of difference between 44 and 38 points. And Beau played an entire quarter and much of the 2024 season. This is especially true when we all knew PSU was playing in the B1G championship game. The Beauty contest was over. PSU is pretty much set for the playoffs. We win and we get a bye, we lose and we get a home playoff game. That TD didn't make a difference and we knew it.

I don’t get drawing a distinction at 4 seconds but not 10, 12, or 20 seconds???

 

[WaffleShopper]

Why is it that only James Franklin gets criticized for this? Anyone see Indiana against Purdue last night? Or Oregon against Washington? Arizona State against Arizona? Nary a word said about them…

This is not 1968 where you try to run out the clock with an 8 point lead. Point differential MATTERS. One of the committee members literally said in an interview this past week that they would be looking at how big PSU and ND could win to decide how to rank those two teams. So they told us exactly what they wanted to see for a higher seeding and we gave it to them.

On Indiana's last scoring drive they ran the ball every play and scored with around 2 minutes left. They got the ball back again in Purdue territory after an interception and knelt down twice to end the game.

 

[Obliviax]

I don’t get drawing a distinction at 4 seconds but not 10, 12, or 20 seconds???

because it is the last play, for sure. I'd have called a simple running play and then just let the clock run out anytime after :35. They threw the ball and stopped the clock at :04. The sequence was

• we ran at 1:04.
• We ran at :27 and should have let the clock run out.
• We then threw the ball stopping the clock at :04.
• We then threw the ball again at :04 for the TD.

I guess one could argue that with 0:04 left on 4th down, there was a chance that the clock would stop at 0:01 with MD possessing the ball.

 

[republion]

I not defending the play, I’m just saying when you have the ball up big and the other team isn’t trying to stop the clock, if you are running plays at 30 seconds then I see no difference in running plays at 4 seconds… pass or run.

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

Agreed. Apparently, MD was supposed to hire CJF as head coach when he was an assistant there, and their informal "head coach in waiting." But I really think CJF was zoned out and doing other stuff. It comes down to who called that play.

When I played JV, we had two identical twins that played WR and the coaches used them as messenger players (sent in the plays from the coach). In garbage time, the coach sent in simple running plays and these twins kept calling "end around" so they could carry the ball. This happened 4 times in a row, with our coach laughing at it, until he took them out of the game because they wouldn't tell the QB the right plays. In the end, they left the team the following year. Perhaps Beau called the play? Andy K? IDK.

Actually, it was not informal, Franklin was given a promotion at MD and given the Title, "Assistant Head Coach". I think Franklin was promoted from QB Coach to OC when he was given the AHC title.

 

[Wesauking Lion]

Well... if you preach having class, respect and sportmanship, as CJF always does, then your actions should show it. Up 31, 4 sec to go, a blowout by everyones standards.....take a knee. PSU's ranking will be decided next week and nothing was gained. It was a classless and showed a lack of sportmanship by CJF. Take a knee and you dont have to explain anything. He did play the 3s and 4s, he did run the offense.... with 4 sec to go, take a knee. Franklin talking all tough in the presser.... he is a Beta and it was a Beta move.

With respect to the handshake.... take the higher road and dont step down.

 

[KCLion]

On Indiana's last scoring drive they ran the ball every play and scored with around 2 minutes left. They got the ball back again in Purdue territory after an interception and knelt down twice to end the game.

It was 66 already and their starting QB had thrown 5 or 6 TD passes.

 

[WaffleShopper]

It was 66 already and their starting QB had thrown 5 or 6 TD passes.

Right. If Penn State had scored 66 then Franklin would have knelt down too and nobody would be complaining.

 

[Obliviax]

On a side note,

Right. If Penn State had scored 66 then Franklin would have knelt down too and nobody would be complaining.

So, we knew that PSU was going to be in the B1G championship game by halftime. And somehow, the ability to score 44 and not just 38 meant something?

Let me answer my own question: It meant nothing. IMHO it was a mix of letting the kids play and a little "in your face" from CJF to his former employer.

 

[WaffleShopper]

Looking at the Indiana play by play, they threw their last pass with 12 minutes left in the game. Not sure their situation is even remotely comparable.

 

[KCLion]

On a side note,

So, we knew that PSU was going to be in the B1G championship game by halftime. And somehow, the ability to score 44 and not just 38 meant something?

Let me answer my own question: It meant nothing. IMHO it was a mix of letting the kids play and a little "in your face" from CJF to his former employer.

And if we believe practice reports, our future at WR gets his first TD on a dime thrown by the backup QB who might be forced to play at some point.

 

[psuno1]

that is true. the beauty contest that the NCAA created has born this.

But for me, 00:04 was out of line. I don't see a lot of difference between 44 and 38 points. And Beau played an entire quarter and much of the 2024 season. This is especially true when we all knew PSU was playing in the B1G championship game. The Beauty contest was over. PSU is pretty much set for the playoffs. We win and we get a bye, we lose and we get a home playoff game. That TD didn't make a difference and we knew it.

The first 4 seconds sure did matter why not the last 4 sec, play till the end.

I don’t get drawing a distinction at 4 seconds but not 10, 12, or 20 seconds???

Maryland scored there only Td in the first 4 second of the game but don't count the last 4 seconds? play till the end as hard as you can make the other team stop you. Denmark should get more snaps at Wr going forward.

 

[WaffleShopper]

On a side note,

So, we knew that PSU was going to be in the B1G championship game by halftime. And somehow, the ability to score 44 and not just 38 meant something?

Let me answer my own question: It meant nothing. IMHO it was a mix of letting the kids play and a little "in your face" from CJF to his former employer.

I'm fine with both of those reasons. Franklin probably did them a favor. Now they can whine about how classless Penn State is instead of talking about their garbage team.

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

because it is the last play, for sure. I'd have called a simple running play and then just let the clock run out anytime after :35. They threw the ball and stopped the clock at :04. The sequence was

• we ran at 1:04.
• We ran at :27 and should have let the clock run out.
• We then threw the ball stopping the clock at :04.
• We then threw the ball again at :04 for the TD.

I guess one could argue that with 0:04 left on 4th down, there was a chance that the clock would stop at 0:01 with MD possessing the ball.

You people keep missing the fact that CJF was clearly using this as a practice situation in real face-time action for Pribula - you can't simulate real game-time action in practice. PSU may well need Pribula to perform in the Playoffs in the Redzome at the very end of a half or game.... the more real game-time exposure he has facing that situation, the better. No problem whatsoever with Franklin challenging Pribula and the 3s & 4s to see if they can put 6 on the board in that situation.

 

[Obliviax]

I'm fine with both of those reasons. Franklin probably did them a favor. Now they can whine about how classless Penn State is instead of talking about their garbage team.

true...plus outside of MD, nobody cares given all of the flag planting fights after games yesterday

 

[The Spin Meister]

Wasn't that Edsall?

Uuhhhh…..could be. I can’t keep track of the changes and time has become an ephemeral construct that is beyond my capacity.

 

[OKLionFan]

The last over/under number I saw was 50.5. 44+7=51. Just saying.........

 

[voltz99]

that is true. the beauty contest that the NCAA created has born this.

But for me, 00:04 was out of line. I don't see a lot of difference between 44 and 38 points. And Beau played an entire quarter and much of the 2024 season. This is especially true when we all knew PSU was playing in the B1G championship game. The Beauty contest was over. PSU is pretty much set for the playoffs. We win and we get a bye, we lose and we get a home playoff game. That TD didn't make a difference and we knew it.

Right. Next time put up 80 and shut them out. Just don't score in the last minute.

 

[Obliviax]

Right. Next time put up 80 and shut them out. Just don't score in the last minute.

I think you feel you are being sarcastic but there is a difference. When you score 60 in 3.5 quarters, that is the game.

In this case, PSU stopped the clock when the game clock was less than the play clock. In other words, there was only one reason to run two pass plays and that is to score more points. If PSU was up by a point, like we were at MN, we'd have taken a knee.

 

[AWS1022]

I think you feel you are being sarcastic but there is a difference. When you score 60 in 3.5 quarters, that is the game.

In this case, PSU stopped the clock when the game clock was less than the play clock. In other words, there was only one reason to run two pass plays and that is to score more points. If PSU was up by a point, like we were at MN, we'd have taken a knee.

Did Maryland have their starters still in? That makes a difference to me as a former coach.

 

[Obliviax]

Did Maryland have their starters still in? That makes a difference to me as a former coach.

CJF said that they did. But they were on defense, of course. meaning they were defending, not trying to score.

 

[AWS1022]

CJF said that they did. But they were on defense, of course. meaning they were defending, not trying to score.

Then if you still have your starters in while the other team has unloaded their bench, then you lose all rights to being treated with class, since you’re not “respecting the game” as Locksley said he was doing. If he had his second and third team in there, then I would be more upset with Franklin not taking a knee. The “class” thing works both ways.

 

[johnmpsu]

Why is it that only James Franklin gets criticized for this? Anyone see Indiana against Purdue last night? Or Oregon against Washington? Arizona State against Arizona? Nary a word said about them…

This is not 1968 where you try to run out the clock with an 8 point lead. Point differential MATTERS. One of the committee members literally said in an interview this past week that they would be looking at how big PSU and ND could win to decide how to rank those two teams. So they told us exactly what they wanted to see for a higher seeding and we gave it to them.

Did any of those teams throw a pass to score in the last 4 seconds. Run the ball and if you score nobody says a word. All Franklin did was create a story that got him and his team well deserved embarrassment and criticism. Without that, the only story is how PSU trounced MD and is headed to the championship game. Those 6 points did nothing positive for PSU. It looked personal and certainly was classless. There was no other way to describe it but poor sportsmanship.

 

[wilbury]

Why is it that only James Franklin gets criticized for this? Anyone see Indiana against Purdue last night? Or Oregon against Washington? Arizona State against Arizona? Nary a word said about them…

This is not 1968 where you try to run out the clock with an 8 point lead. Point differential MATTERS. One of the committee members literally said in an interview this past week that they would be looking at how big PSU and ND could win to decide how to rank those two teams. So they told us exactly what they wanted to see for a higher seeding and we gave it to them.

I didn't see any criticism other than Locksley.

 

[mydome88]

Ohio State scored against Indiana with 35 seconds to go after the RB got a first down and slid down at the one with Indiana waving the white flag and not calling their time outs. Then their starting QB runs off and does some antics aimed at the Indiana head coach. I liked Franklin's explanation, it made sense. Day's explanation was they "wanted to leave no doubt" and "we wanted to finish it the right way and make sure everyone knows we are the Ohio State Buckeyes". Then they trolled Cignetti on their jumbotron also.

Cignetti's response. "I didn't like the fact that WE gave up the touchdown at the end" "I give them nothing but credit". He didn't whine and complain and they trolled him several times and scored a touchdown that was just as meaningless, I'd say even far less so as they weren't getting backups and Freshman who have worked hard some time in a real game.

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

CJF said that they did. But they were on defense, of course. meaning they were defending, not trying to score.

It makes a difference because CJF wants to get experience for Pribula in that very situation in "real game situations"..... MD continuing to play their starters is precisely what CJF wanted when he challenged his team to keep playing and try to score. You can't simulate real-game action in practice - CJF is preparing for the National Championship Playoffs, not a tea-party social. F Locksley and his cry-baby routine.

 

[BOSCO2]

Uuhhhh…..could be. I can’t keep track of the changes and time has become an ephemeral construct that is beyond my capacity.

Definitely Edsall.

 

[NittanyLionRoar]

Did any of those teams throw a pass to score in the last 4 seconds. Run the ball and if you score nobody says a word. All Franklin did was create a story that got him and his team well deserved embarrassment and criticism. Without that, the only story is how PSU trounced MD and is headed to the championship game. Those 6 points did nothing positive for PSU. It looked personal and certainly was classless. There was no other way to describe it but poor sportsmanship.

It does not appear to me that there is any “well deserved embarrassment” in this situation 😭

Guys…wake up. The players get paid now. The committee is telling us we need to score as many points as possible. This isn’t amateur sports anymore. This is the game. If you don’t play the game, don’t expect the outcome you want either.

It’s only going to get more cutthroat from here. Watch, if PSU gets flipped by ND or we’re put behind OSU for losing to them, then next time we’ll just leave the starters in to drop 70 on UMD. You’ll see this with the SEC teams on the bubble who get left out too—they’re not going to be forgiving of opponents in the future. Gotta balance the occasional loss with giant wipeouts.

 

[johnmpsu]

It does not appear to me that there is any “well deserved embarrassment” in this situation 😭

Guys…wake up. The players get paid now. The committee is telling us we need to score as many points as possible. This isn’t amateur sports anymore. This is the game. If you don’t play the game, don’t expect the outcome you want either.

It’s only going to get more cutthroat from here. Watch, if PSU gets flipped by ND or we’re put behind OSU for losing to them, then next time we’ll just leave the starters in to drop 70 on UMD. You’ll see this with the SEC teams on the bubble who get left out too—they’re not going to be forgiving of opponents in the future. Gotta balance the occasional loss with giant wipeouts.

Some people don't see what you describe as a good thing. Scoring with a pass with 4 seconds on the clock in a game that's a blowout is bad sportsmanship. Period. You can come up with all the reasons/excuses in the world to explain it but that doesn't change the fact that it shouldn't have been done and you are probably right that it will become the rule and not the exception but that doesn't mean I have to like it or condone it. It is terrible sportsmanship and if I'm the last man on earth to condemn it and believe that sportsmanship is an important part of the game that should be preserved, so be it.

 

[Bob2022]

Why is it that only James Franklin gets criticized for this? Anyone see Indiana against Purdue last night? Or Oregon against Washington? Arizona State against Arizona? Nary a word said about them…

This is not 1968 where you try to run out the clock with an 8 point lead. Point differential MATTERS. One of the committee members literally said in an interview this past week that they would be looking at how big PSU and ND could win to decide how to rank those two teams. So they told us exactly what they wanted to see for a higher seeding and we gave it to them.

Right, and if the second and third teamers are in the game they should be honing their skills and trying to score, not taking knees. If you can’t stop second and third teamers you should be embarrassed.

 

[AWS1022]

Some people don't see what you describe as a good thing. Scoring with a pass with 4 seconds on the clock in a game that's a blowout is bad sportsmanship. Period. You can come up with all the reasons/excuses in the world to explain it but that doesn't change the fact that it shouldn't have been done and you are probably right that it will become the rule and not the exception but that doesn't mean I have to like it or condone it. It is terrible sportsmanship and if I'm the last man on earth to condemn it and believe that sportsmanship is an important part of the game that should be preserved, so be it.

And keeping your starters in after the other team has emptied their bench is equally poor sportsmanship. Either play your bench players or play til the end. You can’t have it both ways as a coach.

 

[TangSoo]

Ryan Day is a douche and demonstrated that again yesterday. But he's beaten James like a drum. I don't mind seeing James have a little nasty in him. He'd never admit it, but he clearly has some negative feelings toward Maryland, and possibly the head coach. I'm OK with it. He runs a clean program. If he wants to blast the shit out of Maryland, I'm good with that.