Overview

• Penn State fell 42-37 to previously winless UCLA, dropping to 3-2 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play and exiting the AP Top 25.
• James Franklin accepted responsibility, said evaluations start with him, and acknowledged surprise at the defense’s regression under new coordinator Jim Knowles.
• UCLA rushed for 280 yards as Nico Iamaleava accounted for five touchdowns, and scrutiny mounted over Penn State’s late fourth-and-2 option call.
• Reports place Franklin’s without-cause buyout near $50 million to $56 million, a financial barrier that analysts say complicates any immediate move.
• Pundits including Paul Finebaum questioned Franklin’s future, while the team turns to a home game against Northwestern as an early test of its response.