Penn State’s 42-37 loss to a previously winless UCLA team Saturday was, with little argument, the worst loss in James Franklin’s tenure in Happy Valley.

But against the backdrop of the expectations set for Penn State this season, it’s arguably one of the worst losses in program history. The Nittany Lions returned a ton of senior talent and were among the favorites to win a national championship.

Teams to enter 0-4 (or worse) and defeat an AP Top 10 opponent since 1955:

UCLA vs. No. 7 Penn State - Today

UTEP vs. No. 7 BYU - 10/26/1985

Tulane vs. No. 6 Navy - 10/18/1958

That’s it. pic.twitter.com/JaiHiUzvv5 — Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) October 4, 2025

Listen to the Blue-White Breakdown podcast

See Full Page