With a Penn State player holding the flag near the USC logo and a few others nearby appearing to enjoy the spectacle, Franklin quickly appeared from a nearby scrum of bodies and put a halt to gesture. Franklin shook his finger at the player before grabbing the flag himself and walking it over to someone else while saying "take that."

James Franklin didn't realize a mic was nearby as he congratulated Penn State kicker Ryan Barker following a game-winning field goal in overtime.

Watch what Penn State coach James Franklin did when one of his players tried to plant a 'We Are' flag at midfield after winning at USC.

The last time Penn State head coach James Frankin hosted a postgame press conference after facing USC, it came after his team blew a 14-point lead heading into the fourth quarter on one of the game’s biggest stages.

After Penn State registers come-from-behind win at USC, Nittany Lion head coach James Franklin prevents disrespectful act

James Franklin is back in the target of social media as Penn State struggles against another opponent as a top-5 team.

Penn State and James Franklin are in it for the long haul, now. But are the Nittany Lions ready to win on the road as a top-five team?

Penn State’s 2023 passing game generated just 11.4 yards per reception. A wideout room led by KeAndre Lambert-Smith produced 10 touchdown passes as the Lions’ quarterbacks leaned on the tight end trio of Theo Johnson (seven scores), Tyler Warren (seven) and Khalil Dinkins (two). Lambert-Smith is now at Auburn.

Despite an undefeated start to the season, head coach James Franklin needs to prove that this year can be different.