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Penn State head coach James Franklin discusses loss in Outback Bowl

Mug-Shot 4x4by: Ryan Snyder01/01/22RyanSnyderOn3
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Penn State head coach James Franklin recaps his team's loss to Arkansas in the Outback Bowl. (Credit: BWI/Steve Manuel)

Penn State football finished its 2021 season with a disappointing loss, as Arkansas won the Outback Bowl, 24-10.

Missing many of its key contributors, including Jahan Dotson, Arnold Ebiketie and Jaquan Brisker, the Nittany Lions held their own in the first half, leading 10-7 at halftime. Totaling 229 yards in the first two quarters, Penn State was able to move the ball, while the defense held its own, especially in the second quarter.

However, in the third quarter, Arkansas was dominant in the run game, totaling 176 yards rushing in that quarter alone. Quarterback K.J. Jefferson was the main issue, as the Razorbacks averaged 10.4 yards per carry, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal. Penn State didn’t have an answer.

“The biggest factor to me in the game that stood out in the second half was the quarterback running game. We did a really good job in the first half of limiting explosive runs, but in the second half they made an adjustment and made a commitment to run the quarterback,” James Franklin said after the game.

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford also struggled, completing just 14 of 32 pass attempts for just 195 yards. He also had two interceptions and one touchdown.

Clifford’s second interception early in the fourth quarter was particularly crushing. The Nittany Lions had first and goal down two scores, but a forced throw to Theo Johnson in double coverage never had a chance. Clifford then went to the locker room, brining in Christian Veilleux, who was unable to lead a drive.

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“I think our guys played extremely hard, but we did not play the game well enough to win the game. [Offensively], three trips to the red zone. We weren’t able to get points off that one missed field goal and then obviously the interception.”

Penn State fans can watch James Franklin’s complete postgame press conference above.

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