Penn State Loses 25-24 After Franklin Firing

Penn State fired coach James Franklin midseason and promoted longtime assistant Terry Smith to interim head coach, whom players praised for steady leadership during a turbulent week. Smith introduced a new team motto — IF on gray shirts invoking Kipling and intended to replace the Franklin-era “LTFI” slogan — as he worked to refocus the team. Redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer made his first start after star quarterback Drew Allar suffered a season-ending injury; Grunkemeyer settled for a field goal in the red zone and failed on a crucial fourth-down late. Penn State lost 25-24 at Iowa, its fourth straight defeat, with the defense struggling to stop the run and the offense failing to convert key chances. Athletic director Pat Kraft’s decision to fire Franklin has left the program searching for consistency as Smith tries to rebuild morale and teach the team to finish games.