Social media is crushing James Franklin for Penn State's obscure final play
We all knew who was getting the ball.
On a 4th-and-5 with the season on the line, Trace McSorley was going to have the game in his hands. Especially considering the night he was having. The quarterback was 16-of-32 for 286 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 175 more yards.
It was a no-brainer. Win or lose, McSorley was going to be the deciding factor.
Except he wasn’t. Instead, James Franklin used a timeout to draw up a handoff to Miles Sanders, whom Ohio State’s defense had frustrated all night. There was no trickery, no special motion, no McSorley. Nothing. Sanders was dropped for a two-yard loss and the game was over.
Ohio State hung on for a 27-26 win to improve to 5-0 on the year. Penn State dropped to 4-1.
The play-call might have been the most bizarre decision we’ve seen in college football, especially with all the implications hanging in the balance. And after the game, social media let Franklin have it.
Here’s some of the responses to Franklin’s questionable decision at the end of the game:
I think you have to fire James Franklin immediately for a play call this bad. #PSUvsOSU https://t.co/IB9YuC4hlp
— Danny Reid (@CleDan23) September 30, 2018
“Coach did you seriously call a draw on 4th and 5 to try to keep your game alive?”
James Franklin: pic.twitter.com/8UIkBvgggl
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) September 30, 2018
James Franklin called a timeout before running this final play in the Ohio State game. I assume he must have called Tyson Helton or Joe Moorhead to get this play call pic.twitter.com/c6cI0XzgzW
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) September 30, 2018
“Coach Franklin, care to explain that last play call?” https://t.co/dFvJwL1KlX
— Karen Howell (@karenehowell) September 30, 2018
Penn state 4th and 5 play call has me shook. Thoughts? Also, college football is the greatest gift. pic.twitter.com/cb9kz9qGYa
— Laura Rutledge (@LauraRutledge) September 30, 2018
I've seen Penn State lose at home, I don't think I've seen Beaver Stadium this in shock before.
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) September 30, 2018
That was just an incredibly bad call. 10 of Miles Sanders' 16 carries were for fewer than five yards. You're setting him up to fail.
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) September 30, 2018
Ohhhhhh. So this is what this gif is for. pic.twitter.com/uoVfSLCR1z
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) September 30, 2018
McSorley looked to the sideline and checked out of the play twice. Play-clock nearly ran out. I'm thinking there was some sort of miscommunication. That can't possibly be the play Penn State wanted.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 30, 2018
McSorley looked to the sideline and checked out of the play twice. Play-clock nearly ran out. I'm thinking there was some sort of miscommunication. That can't possibly be the play Penn State wanted.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 30, 2018
Inexplicable play call from James Franklin. He just took the ball out of his senior QB's hands in the biggest play of the season.
Yeah, that's Franklin's decision. He's an OC, it's his offense, it's his senior QB. Period. It's on Franklin.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 30, 2018