Former college football star Brady Quinn excoriates Penn State for “cruel” play calling in its recent loss to Ohio State

The James Franklin-led Penn State football team is under scrutiny again after losing to its top rival.

The Nittany Lions entered Saturday's game against Ohio State as the third-ranked team in the country.

But the fourth-place Buckeyes left Beaver Stadium with a 20-13 win. Franklin is in his 11th season as Penn State's head coach and his team has lost eight straight to Ohio State.

Since beating the Buckeyes in 2016, Franklin's teams have beaten just two top-10 opponents.

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FOX Sports commentator Brady Quinn during a game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Penn State's struggles in the red zone compounded Saturday's frustrations. In the fourth quarter, the Nittany Lions scored first from the 3-yard line. After failing to gain much ground on three consecutive rushing attempts, a fourth down pass failed. The turnover on downs helped Ohio State to its 12th win in the last 13 meetings.

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In four red zone appearances, Penn State was able to hit two field goals for six points. Shortly after the game, FOX Sports college football analyst Brady Quinn took aim at the Penn State coaching staff's decision-making.

Brady Quinn on SiriusXM at Super Bowl LIII Radio Row on January 31, 2019 in Atlanta. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Quinn said Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren should have been given more opportunities to get involved during the game.

“That play call was horrible to me,” Quinn said on the FOX postgame show. “Tyler Warren had 88 scrimmage yards in the second half and wasn’t targeted once in four games? He caught you down there with a 33-yard rush and you didn't get a single touch for him? I’m beside myself for Penn State fans for this reason.”

Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium on November 2, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Warren finished the game with 47 receiving yards. He also ran three times for 47 yards.

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Penn State will look to get back to winning ways on November 9th against Washington.

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