Penn State football: Top-10 wins of the James Franklin Era

By Brad Weiss | Dec 1, 2020

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 30: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts to a play during the second half of the game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium on November 30, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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Sean Clifford has had big moments for the Nittany Lions Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Penn State football: Top-10 wins of the James Franklin Era

Penn State defeats No. 16 Michigan

Penn State opened up 2019 with five straight victories, earning a No. 10 ranking in the country. In game No. 6, they would travel to Kinnick Stadium to take on a tough Iowa team that had just lost a close one to Michigan State the week before. The game was a struggle, but Penn State was able to come away with a 17-12 win, setting up a top-25 matchup with Michigan.

The Wolverines went into the game against Penn State with only one blemish on their record, and they were coming off a dominant victory over Illinois. Once again playing in the marquee matchup of College Gameday, the Nittany Lions wowed the faithful inside Beaver Stadium, narrowingly escaping with a 28-21 victory.

Sean Clifford was magnificent in the game, throwing for three touchdowns, twice hitting star wideout K.J. Hamler for scores, and also ran in a score. The game had major significance because No. 6 Wisconsin had lost earlier, allowing Penn State to move up to No. 6, and then eventually No. 4, before losing to Minnesota two weeks later.

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