STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- James Franklin's record in big games played a role in Penn State moving on from the longtime head coach, athletic director Pat Kraft acknowledged Monday.

"I'm here to win a national championship," Kraft said. "And I believe our fans deserve that."

Penn State fired Franklin on Sunday after 12 seasons following a stunning 0-3 start in the Big Ten.

The Nittany Lions opened the year ranked No. 2 in the polls off an appearance in the College Football Playoff semifinals last season.

But Penn State tumbled out of the polls two weeks ago after losing to then-winless UCLA , which hadn't held a lead all season. Then at home on Saturday, the Nittany Lions lost to Northwestern .

With the two losses, Penn State became the first team since the FBS and FCS split in 1978 t

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