Back in October 2016, such a thought seemed unlikely as the Lions were 2-2, coming off a blowout loss at Michigan, and looking dispirited with a 13-3 halftime deficit at home against Minnesota.
The story is well known. The Lions, and Franklin especially, heard boos as they went to the locker room.
Early in the second half, the Lions were faced with a third-and-long from their own 20-yard line. What followed is one of the most significant plays in Penn State football history.
Trace McSorley escaped pressure, stepped up in the pocket, hit little-used wide receiver Irvin Charles deep down the middle of the field.