A muddled transfer portal calendar meant the Nittany Lions had to navigate their College Football Playoff run without one of their most dynamic red zone threats

Following a brutal loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal on Thursday night, Penn State head coach James Franklin seemed to channel his in

Penn State were so close to playing for a national championship. Instead, the Nittany Lions' CFP journey ended in pain at the Orange Bowl.

Carter entered the Orange Bowl as a game-time decision with a shoulder injury suffered against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. The junior, a Glenside native, had a breakout junior year in his first season at defensive end, finishing with 23.5 tackles for losses and 12 sacks.

As Penn State's coach, James Franklin owns an abysmal 3-10 record against opponents ranked in the Associated Press Top 10. It's a mark that saw a small but significant boost with Penn State's resounding 31-14 College Football Playoff quarterfinal win against No.

James Franklin coached the Penn State Nittany Lions to a loss in a big game. Franklin cleared one hurdle this year when Penn State finally made the College Football Playoff semifinal after defeating SMU in the first round and Boise State in the second round.