Penn State Fans Chanted 'Fire Franklin' As Dan Lanning's Ducks Rose To Occasion

As the No. 2 Oregon Ducks and coach Dan Lanning rose to the occasion on the road against the No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions, Oregon looks like one of the elite teams in the country while Penn State fans had some harsh words for coach James Franklin.

Penn State head coach James Franklin argues a penalty call at the end of an NCAA football game against Nevada, Saturday, August 30, 2025, in State College, Pa. | Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In an instant classic, the No. 2 Oregon Ducks beat No. 7 Penn State 30-24 in double overtime and silenced 111,015 fans in the White Out at Beaver Stadium.

Oregon is a perfect 11-0 all-time in Big Ten play while Penn State is under fire for losing another big game.

Penn State coach James Franklin's record against ranked opponents looms large... 15-29 all-time record against ranked opponents, with a 4-21 record against top-10 opponents, including 1-18 against top-10 Big Ten Conference teams. Penn State fell from No. 3 to No. 7 in the AP Top 25 Poll after the loss.

Penn State coach James Franklin fire chants fans white out beaver stadium dan lanning oregon ducks upset dante moore kenyon sadiq | Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Unhappy Penn State Chant 'Fire Franklin' At Oregon Game

As the Ducks took a 17-3 lead early in the fourth quarter, the Penn State fan base made their displeasure known. "Fire Franklin!" chants roared through the stadium as it looked like the Nittany Lions were headed for defeat.

After the chants stopped, Penn State rattled off an impressive fourth quarter comeback that forced overtime, with much thanks to two touchdowns from quarterback Drew Allar to receiver Devonte Ross. Ultimately, the Nittany Lions lost in double overtime and the frustration from Happy Valley was clear.

Franklin, who has lost 15 consecutive games against top-six-ranked opponents, took blame for the loss and addressed the trend.

"I get that narrative, and it's really not a narrative - it's factual. It's the facts," Franklin said after the game. "I try to look at the entire picture and what we've been able to do here. But at the end of the day, we got to find a way to win those games. I totally get it. And I take ownership. I take responsibility."

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning celebrates his win with Duck fans as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In the Big Ten's 2025 preseason media poll, Penn State was projected to finish first, followed by Ohio State and then Oregon. The Nittany Lions season is far from over, but Penn State is understandably disappointed it couldn't take care of the reigning Big Ten champion Ducks at home.

Penn State has another ranked opponent on the schedule: No. 1 Ohio State on Nov. 1 at Ohio Stadium.

MORE: First Look At Oregon's Glow-In-Dark Uniforms At Penn State Doesn't Disappoint

MORE: Oregon Quarterback Dante Moore Sheds Tears With Will Stein After Penn State Win

MORE: Penn State Coach James Franklin Addresses Overturned Fumble Call vs. Oregon Ducks 

Dan Lanning Invigorating Ducks, Making History

On the flip side, Oregon coach Dan Lanning improved to 11-6 against ranked teams and is making Ducks history.

At 40-6, Lanning has the most wins ever by an Oregon head coach through 46 games. Lanning also surpassed former Oregon coach Chip Kelly in winning percentage at .870.

Moments like these.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning spotted his wife Sauphia and son Titan, rushing into an emotional embrace.

Then he found Rob Mullens - the AD who gave him his first head coaching shot.#GoDucks #WeAre https://t.co/MI8hfAUiWl pic.twitter.com/2AK6qknWRj

— Bri Amaranthus (@BriAmaranthus) September 28, 2025

Dan Lanning may be just 39 years old but he’s got the makeup of next superstar college football coach. His passion is palpable, he adjusts quickly and he never compromises on his values.

His intense competitiveness spreads to his players. Oregon senior linebacker Bryce Boettcher, quarterback Dante Moore and tight end Kenyon Sadiq aren’t just talented athletes; they’re proof of Lanning’s infectious fire.

In an exclusive interview with Oregon Ducks on SI reporter Bri Amaranthus, Boettcher described Lanning with a "psychotic edge" leading up to the 2024 football season. A year later, Boettcher doubled-down on that take.

"The same way. He's the perfect amount (of psycho)," Boettcher told Amaranthus. "He's like an intense nerd. He's very cerebral and intelligent with the game of football, which you need to be. But, he's also kind of a meathead at times when he needs to be."

Oregon running back Jordon Davison, left and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq celebrate a touchdown by Davison as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Sadiq agrees with Boettcher's "psycho" nickname and elaborated on what makes Lanning different than other coaches.

"(Psycho) in a good way, pushing us, making us better every day," Sadiq said. "He's going to do things that other coaches aren't willing to do, and I think that's what will separate us. So he's willing to take that kind of extra step for us."

Lanning's players who are now in the NFL echo the same sentiment.

"Every game day, we're ready to run through a brick wall for that man," former Oregon receiver Tez Johnson told Amaranthus. "Because he's going to give you all that he got. He's going to give you 100 percent every day. He's the most mentally prepared and mentally tough guy I've ever seen in my life. I don't know how he does it. The consistency is unbelievable."

It is clear - The Ducks support Lanning, while he pushes Oregon to new heights. The Ducks will enjoy a bye week and then face another ranked opponent in the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers at Autzen Stadium on Oct. 11.