In an alternate universe, where the blades of grass on West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium were cut slightly shorter in late September, head coach James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are preparing for a national championship game in Hard Rock Stadium, the site of a season-ending heartbreaker in the previous year’s semifinals.
But in this universe, the season has been over for weeks, and Franklin’s time in Happy Valley has been over for months. The tenures of many coaches and players who suited up for that game against Oregon have also ended.
It wasn’t just the Penn State faithful who expected a historic season. Many national media members predicted the program’s first national championship since 1986. And it WAS a historic season, but for many of the wrong reasons.
Here’s a look back on a 2025 season that can only be described as unpredictable, including thoughts, observations and quotes.
8/2: Penn State coaches met with the media to preview the season
“No one cares about preseason rankings,” head coach James Franklin said. “I’m not gonna frame the preseason rankings and put it in the basement in my man cave.”
The AP Top 25 hadn’t come out yet, but other outlets were pegging Penn State as a top-five squad. Maybe he should’ve framed those rankings before the team fell out entirely.
James Franklin said linebacker Tony Rojas had offseason surgery and added that “he’s in a really good place.” He went on to have a strong start before being injured after four games.
Franklin on tight end Khalil Dinkins:
“Big, strong, physical, and his improvement in so many areas since he stepped on campus has been dramatic. I think he’s got a very bright future. He’s gonna have a great year for us and he’s got a chance to play for a long time in the NFL.”
Many, myself included, thought either Luke Reynolds or Andrew Rappleyea would be the starter. Franklin instead championed Dinkins, which in hindsight, was probably a mistake. That’s one example of him showing unwavering loyalty and valuing seniority over on-field production. By year’s end, Rappleyea established himself as the top dog.
Shortly after Franklin’s remarks, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles spoke to the media. His Ohio State defense ranked No. 1 in the nation the year before, and he drew many similarities between the two units, building the preseason hype.
On his scheme:
“If it’s too complicated, or I can’t get it installed in a way that the players pick it up quickly, then that’s my fault,” Knowles said. “So I think I’ve developed a process that helps move it along at a more rapid pace.”
Apparently not.
Special teams coordinator Justin Lustig also spoke to the media.
“We have the potential for major improvement on special teams … there’s no big question marks on special teams, and we’ve got depth at those positions.”
He ended up being spot on. By some metrics, Penn State had the top special teams unit in the country. Kicker Ryan Barker was nearly perfect, punter Gabe Nwosu was up-and-down but overall solid, and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton blocked three punts to tie a program record. Retaining Lustig on staff was a big win for new head coach Matt Campbell.
8/11: Penn State debuts at No. 2 in preseason AP Top 25
Frame it, it’ll last longer.
8/12: James Franklin speaks to the media
Franklin said defensive ends Yvan Kemajou and Chaz Coleman and cornerback Daryus Dixson were freshmen who had stood out so far. All three ended up being contributors, though Coleman later transferred to Tennessee this offseason.
8/19: Foreshadowing
8/25: James Franklin speaks to the media
Franklin said quarterback Drew Allar had taken enough credits that he only had one class left in the fall before graduating. He also said there are probably about 10 players in a similar situation.
This may explain some of Allar’s “overthinking” struggles later in the year. Probably could’ve used more time outside the Lasch Building.
9/30: Nevada
Penn State’s team arrival for the season-opener against the Wolfpack:
There were early signs that offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki was trying to do too much offensively:
Athletic director Pat Kraft leaving West Shore Home Field. The crowd reactions changed dramatically throughout the season. More videos to come.
Franklin joked about Ryan Barker’s four-field goal performance:
“I told Andy (Kotelnicki) to call a couple plays that wouldn’t convert so we could work on our field goals.”
It was funny at the time, but apparently Kotelnicki continued calling those plays throughout the season.
9/2: Penn State announces switch to Adidas
Probably lost in the shuffle of the season was the Nittany Lions’ move to a new apparel provider on a massive deal that should provide an NIL boost for the next decade.
9/6: FIU
As Franklin prophesied, Coleman turned out to be a stud. Here’s his highlight of the season, which I was able to catch from the sideline:
Kaytron Allen finished with a career-high 144 rushing yards, though he would go on to break that mark.
9/13: Villanova
Liam Clifford recorded his first catch of the season, one of three on the year, though Franklin insisted he was a starter.
It was also the first time I noticed the vast difference between running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton’s performance.
With Oregon on deck, Franklin said the staff would use the bye week to hit the recruiting trail. In hindsight, the staff should’ve spent more time prepping for the Ducks.
9/26: ESPN College GameDay comes to town
One day before the White Out, ESPN’s Stanford Steve met with the media. He made a bold proclamation.
“You bring in a guy like Jim Knowles to win games like these.”
In fairness, the defense held up well against Oregon, allowing three first-half points and 17 regulation points while the offense struggled to gain forward yardage for much of the game.
9/27: Oregon
I got up early to be at College GameDay, as did thousands of students.
One of my favorite signs, though it ended up aging horrifically:
Saw a great sunset:
The greatest entrance in college football, according to many. I’ll hold off on making that proclamation until I’ve seen all of them in person.
Penn State announced the second-largest attendance in Beaver Stadium history during the game: 111,015
This was probably the high point of the season. Penn State tied the game at 17-17 at the end of regulation. This was the loudest I heard Beaver Stadium all year.
Remember the video of Pat Kraft walking off the field earlier? Here’s the crowd reaction from this game for Franklin.
9/29: James Franklin speaks to the media
“I think it’s human nature to point in another direction … if you’re not careful, that’s where your locker room can get divided, and we’re not going to let that happen,” Franklin said.
10/4: UCLA
My second time in California and first time covering a game. Weather was great. I would rate UCLA’s campus a 7/10.
Although the drive to get there wasn’t fun, the Rose Bowl lived up to the hype. Look closely to see the mountain line in the background:
I spotted a special visitor in the stands pregame: Penn State class of 2026 quarterback commit Troy Huhn. He later decommitted, and I can’t blame him after watching that game.
Remember the cheering from the first two videos? This is the first time Franklin was booed coming off the field, and it came at an away venue.
10/6: James Franklin forgets to preview Northwestern
Franklin, who typically sticks to a rigid schedule with robotic precision, forgot to preview the upcoming game against Northwestern during his Monday press conference, seemingly showing a lack of focus.
10/9: “Fire Franklin” chants at Pegula Ice Arena
I was covering a Penn State men’s hockey game against Clarkson, which ironically resulted in a 6-4 loss for the Nittany Lions, the first L of the season. For every Golden Knight goal, Penn State’s student section — The Roar Zone — chanted “fire Franklin.”
10/10: Class of 2027 Khalil Taylor decommits, Kemon Spell “not 100% with Penn State any more.”
10/11: Northwestern
The crowd reaction to Franklin being announced pregame:
During the fourth quarter, Allar went down with what was later confirmed to be a broken left ankle. The cart took him right past where I was standing on the sideline.
Penn State lost, 22-21. Here’s an update on the crowd reaction as Franklin walked off the field:
10/12: James Franklin fired
It wasn’t necessarily out of the blue — I had pre-written a story just in case Kraft pulled the trigger — but it was still a little jarring to see Franklin’s tenure come to an end. Many of the players seemed to feel the same way. Terry Smith was named the interim head coach, and recruits Layton von Brandt, Kemon Spell and Lavar Keys decommitted that day.
10/13: Pat Kraft, Terry Smith speak to the media
“You can hate me, you can hate James. But rally around (the players),” Kraft said. “They deserve it. That’s who Penn State is. That’s who we are.”
“All I wanna do is help Penn State be successful and win,” Smith said. “I’m sitting in this press conference because we didn’t win enough. And whatever I can do to help this place win is what I’m willing to do.”
10/16: Troy Huhn decommits
Saw that coming.
10/18: Iowa
I toured Iowa’s campus for the first time. I’d give it an 8/10.
Penn State lost 25-24 in Smith’s first game as interim and quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer’s first start. The game was winnable. The bright spot for Penn State was increased usage of Kaytron Allen, which I had called for dating back to Week 3.
11/1: Ohio State
My second time covering a game in Columbus. The campus is actually similar to Penn State’s in a lot of ways. I give it an 8/10.
Smith summarized the game well:
“We could not cover them.”
For the first time since his injury, Allar was seen with the team. He also went to every game after this one. The Ohio native was expectedly heckled throughout. He finished winless against the Buckeyes with some poor stat lines.
11/5: Joey Schlaffer parts ways with the team
While he wasn’t a contributor, Schlaffer was the first player to leave the team after Franklin’s firing.
11/8: Indiana
Penn State played inspired football, particularly in the second half, and Allen broke Penn State’s program record for career carries.
The Nittany Lions once again found a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory after a miraculous Hoosiers touchdown.
Updated post-game crowd reaction: back to cheering this time.
11/15: Michigan State
My first time at Michigan State. Nice campus, much bigger than I expected. I walked around for about three hours before the game.
A trend that started at an Oklahoma State game earlier in the season found its way to East Lansing. Also happened at Beaver Stadium later in the season.
I spent an unreasonable amount of time peering through my binoculars at Penn State’s sideline searching for the Land-Grant Trophy. I actually saw the moment they brought it out. In my defense, I thought it was the only trophy I’d see all year.
Rallied by the presence of the trophy, Penn State marched down the field and scored to go up 21-10, eventually winning 28-10.
Terry Smith experienced his first win and, with quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien distracting him, was hit with his first Gatorade bath.
11/17: James Franklin hired by Virginia Tech
Put simply, a move that made sense for both sides.
11/19: Franklin’s introductory press conference
“I wanna thank Penn State. I had 12 years there,” Franklin said. “It’s very unusual in college football to get 12 years at a place. Most importantly, the relationships, the staff, the players.”
That was the only thanks Penn State got. Many fans wanted a “thank you” post on social media but never got one. Other coaches (Lane Kiffin, Mark Stoops, Bobby Petrino, Brian Kelley, Brent Pry, DeShaun Foster, Hugh Freeze and probably others I forgot made posts thanking the fans). I personally don’t think it’s a big deal.
11/22: Nebraska
Probably Penn State’s most complete performance of the season. Yes, Nebraska had a backup quarterback in TJ Lateef, but I watched him beat UCLA the week prior, completing 13 of 15 passes for three touchdowns. I predicted a one-score win for the Nittany Lions. They won 37-10.
Kaytron Allen broke the all-time rushing record on a handoff from Liam Clifford — the highlight of the season for Clifford.
Players held up “hire Terry Smith” signs on the field post-game and petitioned for him during post-game press conferences.
11/29: Rutgers
I was not impressed by the campus. 5/10. But it was cool to see The Birthplace of College Football. I also picked up a Scarlet Knights sweatshirt for $25 thanks to a clearance on Adidas apparel as the school recently switched to Nike.
It was the first time Rutgers eclipsed 14 points against Penn State since 1995, but the Nittany Lions still pulled out the win in dramatic fashion.
Here was the clincher, from my view on the sideline:
12/1: The Crumbl Cookie Fiasco
Not really sure how to describe this one. If you know, you know.
12/3: Early National Signing Day
With almost all of Penn State’s 2026 class decommitting after the Franklin news, some were expecting no signings for the Nittany Lions.
In a surprising move, quarterback Peyton Falzone flipped from Auburn and defensive end Jackson Ford signed, instantly cementing themselves as fan favorites, regardless of how their careers turn out.
12/5: Pat Kraft audio leak and Matt Campbell hired
In a leaked audio from a meeting with players, Kraft was heard talking about the impending head coaching hire, saying his job was on the line, while also taking shots at other programs. He later apologized for the incident, although it seems Penn State fans came out thinking more highly of him afterward.
Later in the day, news of Campbell’s hiring became official, marking the dawn of a new era for Penn State football.
12/8: Matt Campbell speaks to the media for the first time
I thought Campbell killed his introductory press conference, showing a familiarity with the university and respect for its history. He touched on all the right buzz words, like “blue collar,” “toughness,” “character” and “Cael Sanderson.”
Quotes that stood out:
“I’m gonna demand a similar standard of excellence as the last great Iowa State coach that came here.”
“Change is inevitable. It happens. Adversity happens. It’s coming. It always is. But greatness and how we respond to adversity is a choice. From this day forward, we’re going to wake up every single day in this football program, and we’re going to build championship habits, and we’re going to do it one day at a time, and we’re going to do it from the ground up, and we’re going to do it in a football program that’s going to demand toughness, mental and physical toughness, demand discipline at every corner, and demand, most importantly, selflessness and togetherness. One team, one program, unified to continue the great pride in the great tradition of Penn State football.”
I listened back to that one while at the gym the next day.
12/27: Pinstripe Bowl vs. Clemson
The final chapter in the 2025 season between two teams once viewed as national championship contenders closed out unceremoniously in a snowy bowl game sponsored by a lawnmower company.
Penn State fans showed out fairly well, all things considered, to see the 22-10 victory.
Dani Dennis-Sutton was one of few starters who played and had four tackles and two sacks.
“It was sort of a no-brainer for me,” Dennis-Sutton said. “I don’t really comprehend not playing. The opportunity for me to go out there with my boys one last time, it was a privilege.”
Penn State finished the year 7-6, somehow salvaging a winning record from the ashes of a six-game losing streak. It wasn’t the year anyone expected, but it was sure entertaining. Thanks for following along.
