Penn State probably won't miss seeing him on the sidelines
Urban Meyer drove Penn State coach James Franklin to tears (twice) and to his “great but not elite” speech while coaching at Ohio State. No other head coach elicited as much emotion from Franklin as Meyer did.
Meyer, who announced his retirement from Ohio State on Tuesday, went 7-1 as a head coach against the Lions, including some tormenting wins over the past four years. As a result, Penn State probably won't miss seeing Meyer on the sideline.
Here's a look at Meyer's career vs. Penn State. 2011: Florida 37, Penn State 24 (Outback Bowl):
In Meyer's last game at Florida, the Gators intercepted Penn State five times, including one for an interception in the game's final minute. 2012: Ohio State 35, Penn State 22:
Penn State actually took a 6-0 lead, when Mike Yancich recovered Mike Hull's blocked punt for a touchdown. But Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller produced three scores, and linebacker Ryan Shazier returned an interception for a touchdown. 2013: Ohio State 63, Penn State 14: The Buckeyes dominated former Penn State coach Bill O'Brien's only visit to Columbus, with Miller throwing three touchdown passes and Carlos Hyde running for two. 2014: Ohio State 31, Penn State 24:
Franklin teared up (“I'd love to come in here and tell you what I really think,” he said) after Penn State lost an overtime game that included two officiating mistakes to which the Big Ten admitted. J.T. Barrett scored two overtime touchdowns. 2015: Ohio State 38, Penn State 10: Barrett rushed for two scores in the Buckeyes' 21point second quarter, then threw two fourthquarter touchdown passes, turning this game into a rout. 2016: Penn State 24, Ohio State 21:
In Franklin's breakthrough game, the Lions outscored Ohio State 17-0 in the fourth quarter, punctuated by Grant Haley's touchdown return of Marcus Allen's blocked field goal. After the game, Franklin got emotional once more. 2017: Ohio State 39, Penn State 38:
Penn State led by 15 points in the fourth quarter when Barrett delivered his most devastating blow to the Lions. The quarterback threw three fourth-quarter touchdown passes, leading the Buckeyes to a comeback win over No. 2 Penn State. 2018: Ohio State 27, Penn State 26:
Meyer's (probable) Beaver Stadium farewell produced a second straight comeback and one-point victory. This time, the Buckeyes overcame a 12-point deficit with 8 minutes to play, as Binjimen Victor and K.J. Hill caught touchdown passes from Dwayne Haskins. Franklin then warned his team to get comfortable being uncomfortable.