Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a pass during an NCAA football game against UCLA on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Some nitpicking as Penn State gets ready to host an Unhappy Homecoming:

While there’s no question the Nittany Nation has seen enough of James Franklin, we’ll start to find out today and for the remainder of this season whether the players have, too – and whether Franklin has lost the team. Obviously, nobody (coaches and players) was in the right mental state at UCLA. Now the leadership and character are in question because one more loss ends what little hope is left for a CFP berth.

Thinking proactively: Penn State would be wise not to introduce Franklin on the scoreboard prior to today’s game. All it would do is cue a “Fire Franklin” chant and trigger embarrassing audio that will be played nationally.

On top of the what’s-gone-wrong list has been the adjustment to Jim Knowles as defensive coordinator. Pat Kraft and Franklin thumped their chests after making Knowles the highest-paid assistant in the country at $3.1 million annually, but the numbers aren’t adding up. The Lions rank 108th (of 135) in third-down conversions allowed (41.2%) and 131st in fourth-down conversions allowed (56.2%). These are dropoffs from even Tom Allen last year and have limited PSU’s offensive possessions. Franklin admitted this week Knowles’ system is “a little more complex” and the Nits’ defense isn’t playing as “fast and aggressive” as past seasons.

Moral of the story: Money can’t buy chemistry.

The underachievement is equal on offense as Andy Kotelnicki seems to specialize in slow starts. The Lions are averaging 6.0 points in the first quarter and have scored 68 points in five games in the first half compared with 118 in the second half. In their five losses dating back to last year, the Nits have scored 27 points in the first quarter.

Keep an eye these next few weeks on Kraft, who for the remainder of the season will be at the center of discussions on Franklin’s future. The AD has always watched the game from the sidelines, often close enough to be in the same TV frame as Franklin. Maybe the former Indiana linebacker thinks he’s going to get in since the Nits (somehow) lack LB depth.

I can only imagine Jim Tarman and Tim Curley watching the games at Joe Paterno’s elbow – or Dave Joyner even near Bill O’Brien.

N Gary Danielson of CBS made a bad error last week when he suggested standout linebacker Tony Rojas may have been sitting out the UCLA game to preserve another year of eligibility. Franklin had previously confirmed that Rojas had a long-term injury and in fact tore his ACL.

N Given a chance to explain his highly questionable/inept use of timeouts before halftime against UCLA, Franklin pushed back, saying the goal was to take as much time off the clock as possible and not allow UCLA another possession. Here’s the rub: The Nits weren’t winning. They were down 24-7 at the time and should have been in hurry-up mode at the 4:00 mark, trying to score quickly to then use the three timeouts on defense in hopes of getting the ball back and maybe scoring again.

After the loss to the Bruins, Franklin suggested one of the Lions’ challenges was “travel.” That’s such a cop-out. Franklin doesn’t like that the team sometimes must fly out of Harrisburg, but that’s one reason they departed Thursday. Spare us the excuses, please.

Oregon traveled here on Friday, stayed in Altoona and still won the game.

One of the better matchups today features No. 8 Alabama going to No. 14 Missouri, which is led by PSU transfer quarterback Beau Pribula, who is completing 75% of his passes for 1200 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. The Tigers are 5-0, but now head to the meat of their schedule (Alabama, Auburn, Vandy, A&M, Oklahoma etc.)

Condolences to the family and friends of Ron Bracken, former Centre Daily Times sports editor who passed away Monday at the age of 81. Ron was a gifted writer and respected mentor who spent four decades on the PSU beat. He also championed high school sports coverage in Central PA and helped form the Centre County Sports Hall of Fame.

Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.