James Franklin’s Penn State trip to Los Angeles for a supposed easy win over 0-4 UCLA quickly turned into a nightmare. The Nittany Lions, ranked No. 7, were stunned 42-37 at the Rose Bowl, falling behind 10-0 on UCLA’s opening drive and struggling to regain footing.
The Bruins recovered an onside kick and added a field goal before quarterback Drew Allar could touch the ball, and Penn State never led in the contest. The defeat marked back-to-back losses for James Franklin’s squad, following a disappointing road setback to Oregon, leaving their College Football Playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.
James Franklin’s Travel Excuse Under Fire Amid $75M Big Ten Payouts
Franklin addressed the aftermath, acknowledging the team’s shortcomings and taking responsibility for the defeat:
“We did not handle last week’s loss well. We also lost some players in that game, during the week. Then, everything else. Travel. Everything else. Did not come out with the right energy to start the game. … That’s my responsibility.”
Despite Franklin citing travel as a contributing factor, ESPN analyst Peter Burns dismissed the reasoning, connecting it to Big Ten financial incentives.
Burns posted on X, “I swear to God if I hear another Big 10 coach complain about travel, I’m going to lose it. This is what you get when you sell your soul for $ that includes cross country programs. Lincoln Riley did it leading into their loss to Illinois. Now James Franklin did it after UCLA.”
I swear to God if I hear another Big 10 coach complain about travel I’m going to lose it
This is what you get when you sell your soul for $ that includes cross country programs
Lincoln Riley did it leading into their loss to Illinois
Now James Franklin did it after UCLA https://t.co/A2eE1aqgJP— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) October 5, 2025
According to a report by USA TODAY Sports, the Big Ten’s per-school distributions for fiscal 2025 are projected to be around $75 million for most programs, with Oregon and Washington phased in over seven years.
Drew Allar Shines Amid Team Struggles While Franklin’s $50M+ Security Remains Intact
Franklin himself seemed aware that excuses would not resonate after consecutive losses: “I mean, how am I supposed to answer that when we lose the last two games, then obviously that’s all that matters. We didn’t win the last two games. … obviously I felt that way or I wouldn’t have said it, but after two losses, it’s hard for me to answer that question and say that that’s the case.”
Even with the disappointing result, Allar performed well individually. He completed 19 of 26 passes and added 11 carries for 78 yards, including scrambles that kept drives alive. Still, the team’s execution and mental errors overshadowed individual effort.
Financially, Franklin’s position is secure for now, with a buyout of just under $50 million and an annual compensation totaling $8.5 million through 2031, as per his contract. The breakdown includes a $500,000 base salary, $6.5 million in supplemental pay, a $500,000 retention bonus, and a $1 million annual loan for life insurance.
Penn State Looks to Bounce Back Against Northwestern
The Bruins’ stunning upset of Penn State has amplified questions around Franklin’s tenure. After nearly a decade at the helm, consecutive losses to unranked teams put the program at a crossroads. The Nittany Lions are graded C+ in PFSN’s College Offense Impact (OFFi) with a score of 78.7.
Penn State will aim to bounce back from this upset to keep its playoff hopes alive. Next, while up next, they are hosting Northwestern in a Big Ten matchup during homecoming weekend at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions (3-2, 0-2) remain winless in conference play, while the Wildcats arrive off a 42-7 victory over Louisiana Monroe. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
