Penn State coach James Franklin scolds gloating players for planting flag on USC’s 50-yard line after win

Penn State head coach James Franklin remained heated Saturday afternoon after one of his players rejoiced in the Nittany Lions’ victory over USC by planting a flag at midfield.

No. 4 Penn State, which moved to 6-0 with the win, pulled off a comeback victory in overtime after Ryan Barker scored a 36-yard field goal at the LA Coliseum.

And cornerback Audavion Collins clinched the win by planting a “WE ARE” flag at the 50-yard line — a move that quickly drew Franklin’s scorn.

The flag was at midfield for only a few seconds before Franklin wagged his finger at Collins and took the flag from him.

In one video After the incident, he then appeared to order one of his Penn State staffers to remove the flag.

Audavion Collins (right) was scolded by Franklin after the game for planting a flag

Flag planting has become an increasingly common way for college football road teams to taunt their hosts after securing a victory.

Several fans expressed support for Franklin’s decision to remove the flag.

“That’s classy of Franklin,” said a USC supporter said.

Another one added“I agree with Coach on that. It’s classless and tacky, especially when you’re in fourth place and have barely managed a three-point win in overtime against an unranked opponent.”

Penn State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) never led after falling behind 7-3 until Barker ended the first extra session with the last of his four field goals. The Nittany Lions had to battle back from a two-touchdown halftime deficit, thanks in part to a fruitful partnership between quarterback Drew Allar and tight end Tyler Warren.

Warren was on the receiving end of 17 of Allar’s 30 completions and hauled in a 32-yard touchdown catch just after the break, sparking Penn State’s rally.

Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) is lifted into the air by offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh (68) after scoring a touchdown on Saturday

USC Trojans wide receiver Duce Robinson (2) runs the ball on a complete pass before being stopped by Penn State Nittany Lions safety Zakee Wheatley (6)

Warren’s 224 receiving yards are the second-most among any Penn State player, trailing only Jahan Dotson’s 242 against Maryland in 2021.

Allar went 30-for-43 passing for 391 yards and two touchdowns, the second of which was a 14-yard strike to Nicholas Singleton that tied the game at 30 with 2:53 left in regulation. Allar was also eliminated three times.

The Trojans (3-3, 1-3) entered Penn State territory just after the two-minute warning. But as USC kept the clock ticking trying to get into field goal range, USC saw its endgame strategy backfire.

Jaylen Reed intercepted Trojans quarterback Miller Moss’ deep pass attempt to tie the game and force overtime. In the extra period, Penn State’s defense caused a pair of incompletions and Dani Dennis-Sutton tackled Woody Marks for a loss of 3 yards, allowing USC to kick Michael Lantz’s field goal attempt 45 yards.

Lantz missed and opened the door for Penn State to win.