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- Penn State ran one of the worst fake field goals in college football history and it couldn’t have been funnier.
- While the chaos unfolded, the college football fans were thoroughly entertained.
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James Franklin might be addicted to running fakes on special teams. The 49-year-old head coach of Penn State football, who is probably headed to USC or LSU after this season, dialed up two trick plays in the first quarter against Michigan on Saturday.
The first came on 4th-and-6 from the 40-yard-line and was successful. Jim Harbaugh even called a timeout before the play to game plan for some potential tomfoolery, but it didn’t work.
F-A-K-E!@PennStateFball converts the fake punt. pic.twitter.com/VPUI4R5JKI
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 13, 2021
However, the Wolverines were able to hold the Nittany Lions to three points. And it looked like things were going to play out similarly on Penn State’s next possession.
Except this time, facing a 4th-and-goal from the 2, Franklin needed a fix. It had been too long since he dialed up a fake.
To scratch the itch, he did just that. Backup kicker and holder Rafael Checa received the snap and flipped it out to kicker/punter Jordan Stout.
It did not work. At all.
Stout back-peddled, was stuffed for a loss, and then fumbled. Michigan recovered. It was horrible.
Penn State's first fake of the day worked.
The second one did not.
No. 6 @UMichFootball takes over. pic.twitter.com/WqGokngfJY
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 13, 2021
As the failure unfolded, the internet had all kinds of hilarious reactions:
Penn State’s fake field goal fail is why I love this game
— Leah Vann (@LVann_Sports) November 13, 2021
Hard to understate how hilariously ill-advised it was for James Franklin to attempt a fake field goal on that last Penn State drive.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) November 13, 2021
remember that time Penn State called a fake field goal on 4th & goal from the 2? haha that was wild
— Sam Cooper (@SamDCooper) November 13, 2021
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https://twitter.com/Steelerfan48623/status/1459577456277573641
Penn State bettors after that failed fake field goal decision. pic.twitter.com/rpLcYuybrM
— WynnBET (@WynnBET) November 13, 2021
So of course, Penn State's superb 2nd drive ends with holder Rafael Checa throwing a pass and making a tackle on a fake field-goal attempt.
— Mark Wogenrich (@MarkWogenrich) November 13, 2021
Even former NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski had something to say:
Penn State really just tried a fake FG to have their kicker beat the Michigan Defense with speed on a swing pass.. even if pass was perfect he’s not scoring
— Bruce Gradkowski (@bgradkowski5) November 13, 2021
Franklin has a problem and somebody better check him in to fake kick rehab before he goes out West. The bright lights of Los Angeles are not conducive to a positive outcome for someone with addictions.