Penn State OC Ricky Rahne claims responsibility for 4th down play call
After a frustrating loss to Ohio State, Penn State OC Ricky Rahne took responsibility for the play call that effectively ended the game Saturday.
The Nittany Lions had a chance in the final moments to march down and kick a game-winning field goal against the Buckeyes. Unfortunately, a win was not meant to be as Ohio State’s defense came up with a stop on fourth down.
Ultimately, the final play of the game left many fans scratching their heads. Despite Trace McSorley hurting the defense with his arm and legs for much of the game, Penn State handed the ball off on fourth down in a play that was swallowed up from the start. Many people took aim at James Franklin for the game-ending call, but Rahne took responsibility for it Monday.
Ralph D. Russo with The AP shared Rahne’s comments:
“I was upset with (the play call) because there was a particular thing that I should have foreseen and I didn’t,” Rahne told The Associated Press. “I should have foreseen one other thing, and I didn’t…I felt like we had a good chance to run the ball and split it right up the hash. I went back and watched the tape. Is there a possibility for that? Yeah, maybe, but ultimately I didn’t give our guys the best chance to succeed.”
Though Rahne claimed the play call, Franklin reiterated that he is ultimately the person responsible as the head coach. Franklin admitted he could have overruled the play call but does not like to manage that way.
Regardless of who called it, Penn State fans will likely have nightmares of that play for quite some time.