Oregon

James Franklin calls out 'lopsided' penalties, officiating in Big Ten Championship loss to Oregon

Published

1 year ago

December 8, 2024

James Franklin calls out 'lopsided' penalties, officiating in Big Ten Championship loss to Oregon

INDIANAPOLIS — James Franklin already had plenty of beef with Kole Knueppel, the referee of Saturday’s Big Ten Championship officiating crew, before kickoff.

Knueppel led the crew for Penn State’s 20-13 loss against Ohio State in early November, a game in which Franklin was constantly lobbying against Knueppel and his crew about calls they made — or didn’t.

While the crew behind Knueppel was different, Franklin’s list of complaints still grew exponentially Saturday during a 45-37 loss to No. 1 Oregon.

“I don’t want this to come off the wrong way. I give Oregon a ton of credit, but the penalties were pretty lopsided, and I have more of an issue with the ones that could have been reviewed,” Franklin said postgame. “The non-reviewable ones, they’re gonna happen. But the ones that need to be reviewed, need to be reviewed, in my opinion.”

Franklin was right in at least one regard, as Penn State had five accepted penalties against it for 65 yards while Oregon had three accepted for just 24 yards. The Nittany Lions committed 15-yard facemask penalties on both of Oregon’s first two drives, and two 15-yard unnecessary roughness calls came down by the beginning of the second quarter.

The 11th-year Penn State coach in his response, though, was specifically referencing a fourth-quarter call in which officials ruled incomplete a 9-yard pass from Drew Allar to Omari Evans that clearly was completed.

Franklin pushed for officials to buzz in a review of the play, while he said they pushed back for him to slow things down and call a timeout to challenge. Knowing the timeout could be valuable later on, Franklin was hesitant. Penn State then threw an incomplete pass on second down before needing a big third-and-10 conversion from Allar to Harrison Wallace III.

Allar and Wallace hooked up again in the end zone on a crazy fourth-and-10 play, where Allar was in the grasp of an Oregon defender while lasering a pass in Wallace’s direction.

Penn State scored on the drive, so Evans’ missed completion might not have mattered. But if faced with second-and-1 instead of needing to gain 10 yards, maybe Penn State’s play calling would have changed? Maybe the Lions could have scored faster and altered their late-game plan?

“I thought it was a catch, and looking on the Jumbotron, it looked like it was a catch. And I get you’re going to miss some calls, but it’s two minutes. Everybody says, ‘OK, well slow down so they can review the call.’ It’s a two-minute drive. You can’t slow down in a critical game like that,” Franklin said in a heated moment. “In my opinion, they should have buzzed down, and they should have checked that. Now, we’ll watch the video of it. Maybe I’m wrong. But from what I saw on the field, what I saw in the jumbotron, that was a catch. And you can’t miss those calls in these types of games, especially when you’ve got replay. Just buzz down. It’s too important.”

Franklin, to a slightly lesser extent, took issue with the finish to a third-quarter run by Allar, where he got stuck in a pile of Ducks and Nittany Lions. Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher spun Allar down after the whistle and seemed to give Allar an extra shove after getting up, potentially worthy of an unnecessary roughness similar to the two Penn State had been assessed. Officials didn’t see it the same way and did not throw a flag.

“There was a time late in the game where I thought they needed to protect Drew, where he was hung up in a pile and kind of got slammed down late,” Franklin said.

While those were the two plays Franklin specifically highlighted after the game, there were more than a few that could have been argued one way or another.

Punt returner Zion Tracy, while receiving the ball for Penn State’s final drive, picked up a nice chunk and set the Lions up with great field position. But officials convened and ruled that he called for a fair catch, moving the ball back at least 15 yards. He certainly waved his hand near his head, but it’s hard to say whether it was deliberately signaling for the fair catch or if his arm flailed a bit while adjusting to the kick.

Midway through the third quarter, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel rolled to his left and pulled defenders forward on the scramble, making it easy to find eventual game MVP Tez Johnson for a long catch-and-run touchdown. But on replay, it was obvious that multiple ineligible Oregon offensive linemen were too far downfield.

One of a few game-winning plays for Oregon, Gabriel found tight end Terrance Ferguson on a fourth-and-2 early in the final quarter. Ferguson had man coverage with Penn State’s Audavion Collins, and he may have gotten away with a pushoff. It’s also possible, though, that the duo’s difference in size (Ferguson 6-5, 255 pounds and Collins 5-11, 180 pounds) made the push look worse than it was. Oregon led 38-30 at the time, and a failed conversion would’ve put Penn State in a golden position to tie the game.

Finally, Franklin was not-so-subtle, when asked about Gabriel’s effectiveness, that uncalled holding might have contributed. Penn State struggled to hurry the star quarterback and finished with just one sack despite a talented defensive front. Defensive end Abdul Carter has been the victim of plenty of uncalled holdings this entire season.

“With Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton, we’ve been able to produce sacks and pressure, as well as [Dvon J-Thomas] and the boys inside,” Franklin said. “I could be wrong, but there wasn’t one holding call in the game. That’ll be interesting to watch.”

The Nittany Lions didn’t lose specifically because of penalties. Two costly interceptions from Allar, a defense incapable of stopping Oregon and a myriad of other reasons played important roles. But Penn State may have gotten the short end of the stick in Lucas Oil Stadium, at least as far as Franklin was concerned.

“We’ll control the things that we can control,” Franklin said. “And, obviously, that’s not one of them.”

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Oregon

Oregon women’s basketball playing for March Madness seeding vs. Purdue

Published

3 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Oregon women’s basketball playing for March Madness seeding vs. Purdue

At times, the Oregon women’s basketball team has certainly made things much harder on themselves than it needs to be. The team has also produced some miraculous comeback victories, putting itself in position to make women’s March Madness for the second straight season.

March 1, in their final regular season game, the Ducks (20-11, 8-10 Big Ten) finished on the wrong end of yet another tight game to Washington, 70-69. It’s the second time this season Oregon has come back from a double-digit deficit, but ended up losing to the Huskies (20-9, 10-8).

Those aren’t the only times Oregon has come back from a double-digit deficit, like it did in wins vs. Nebraska and USC. The No. 11-seed Ducks are hoping they won’t need heroics in a Big Ten tournament first-round game against No. 14 Purdue this Wednesday.

Watch Oregon basketball on Peacock

“I think our biggest weakness this year has been our inconsistency,” coach Kelly Graves said, “something we’ve battled all year. The great thing is our kids know, regardless of the score, we’ve got a chance. We’ll make it a game at some point. As a coach, it drives you nuts. Hopefully we can figure it out and play more consistent basketball.”

Oregon’s volatility has seen it earn three double-digit comeback wins this year, but also blow several games in the final moments.

Against Wisconsin, the Ducks held a 6-point lead with less than a minute remaining, but lost in overtime. Against Illinois, Oregon held a 21-point lead at halftime, blew it in the third quarter, trailed by eight with minutes to play and somehow eked out a win.

That makes UO somewhat of a wild card heading into the conference tournament this week at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

“It’s definitely (been) a rollercoaster,” guard Katie Fiso said. “A lot of highs and a lot of lows. But one thing that I try to see through all games is our grittiness and our toughness. One thing that stays consistent throughout the season is our toughness and our grittiness. The game isn’t over until the last bell rings.”

The Ducks will be taking on a Boilermakers (13-16, 5-13) team that has struggled against most of the top competition in the league, but played Oregon tight in a Feb. 25 Ducks win.

Graves said when the Ducks went throughout the postgame handshake line after, the Boilermakers felt like their season would end after the regular season. Thanks to some upsets, Purdue is in the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 14 seed.

“We’re playing a team that probably feels like it’s playing with house money,” Graves said. “We’ve got to pick ourselves back up and get it done.”

What channel is Oregon vs. Purdue on today in Big Ten tournament?

Oregon will tip off vs. Purdue on Peacock, with no TV option to watch the game.

Oregon vs. Purdue start time in Big Ten tournament

Date: Wednesday, March 4
Time: Around 5:30 p.m. PT

Oregon and Purdue will play around 5:30 p.m. PT at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The first game of the day begins at 12:30 p.m. PT, with the next game 25 minutes after the first game ends, and so on. The Ducks play in the third game of the day, so no official tip time is listed.

Oregon women’s basketball schedule 2025-26

Below are the past five games of Oregon’s 2025-26 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here.

Feb. 15	Washington 51, Oregon 43
Feb. 19	Oregon 80, Nebraska 76
Feb. 22	Indiana 72, Oregon 65
Feb. 25	Oregon 71, Purdue 65
March 1	Washington 70, Oregon 69
March 4	Oregon vs. Purdue (Big Ten tournament)

Purdue women’s basketball schedule 2025-26

Below are the past five games of Purdue’s 2025-26 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here.

Feb. 14	Purdue 72, Rutgers 57
Feb. 19	Iowa 83, Purdue 74
Feb. 22	Maryland 99, Purdue 66
Feb. 25	Oregon 71, Purdue 65
March 1	Purdue 67, Northwestern 62
March 4	Oregon vs. Purdue (Big Ten tournament)

Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football and women’s basketball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him at adietz@registerguard.com.

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Oregon

Oregon lawmakers advance one-year moratorium on tax breaks for data centers

Published

15 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Oregon lawmakers advance one-year moratorium on tax breaks for data centers

Written by Alma McCarty & KGW:

SALEM, Oregon — In the final week of Oregon’s legislative short session, lawmakers in Salem discussed regulating data centers — specifically, placing a one-year moratorium on certain tax breaks.

Governor Tina Kotek has been looking to expand the state’s enterprise zone program, which is intended to grow Oregon companies and attract new ones. Businesses that locate or expand within designated zones can qualify for property tax exemptions on new investments if they meet eligibility requirements.

However, some advocates argue that extending incentives to data centers may not be sustainable long term.

“Data centers have been around for a while,” said Kelly Campbell, policy director for Columbia Riverkeeper. “Data centers are getting bigger and bigger. Some of these new AI hyperscale data centers are exponentially bigger than those tiny ones. They’re really just using a lot of energy, a lot of water.”

However, some advocates argue that extending incentives to data centers may not be sustainable long term.

Last week, Columbia Riverkeeper released a report examining data centers operating or planned along the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington.

“I think the question becomes, do we want to stick to our climate goals of getting to 100% renewable? Or do we want to have these big, mega data centers owned by big tech companies — some of the wealthiest corporations in the world — getting to use whatever energy they want? We would say, no, that’s not OK,” Campbell said.

On Monday, lawmakers amended an economic incentives bill to block new data centers from qualifying for certain tax breaks for one year.

“I think this moratorium is a pretty short pause to give the advisory council time and space to do their work,” said Rep. Nancy Nathanson, D-Eugene, during a subcommittee meeting Monday morning.

The Data Center Advisory Committee, convened by Kotek, held its first meeting Friday. The group’s goal is to develop policy recommendations addressing the rapid growth of data centers.

“There are some businesses that will need them, but freestanding data centers, the way we’ve been growing in the state, is not sustainable,” the Governor told reporters during a press conference last week.

On Monday, her office sent KGW a statement regarding the moratorium:

“The moratorium will address immediate concerns and also allow for the Governor’s Data Center Advisory Committee to develop recommendations to strategically pursue economic development opportunities while ensuring utility costs, infrastructure investments, and environmental impacts remain sustainable and equitable for all residents.”

Supporters of data center growth, particularly in rural communities, also spoke during work sessions.

“This moratorium will have a disparate impact on communities east of the Cascades — communities like Prineville, Hermiston and Redmond that have leveraged enterprise zones and data centers to bring hundreds of living-wage jobs to their communities,” said Alexandra Ring, a lobbyist for the League of Oregon Cities.

“While data centers may be seen as a nuisance or inconvenient in Washington County, they are not in Crook County. They are not in Morrow County, in Umatilla County,” said Sen. Mark McLane, who represents several Eastern Oregon counties, including Baker, Crook, Grant and Harney.

Even if the House and Senate ultimately approve the moratorium, it would apply only to new data centers — not those that already receive tax breaks or projects currently underway.

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Oregon

Iranian in Oregon says he was a political prisoner in his home country

Published

2 days ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Iranian in Oregon says he was a political prisoner in his home country

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A member of Oregon’s Iranian community on Monday reacted to American and Israeli strikes in his home country and the death of Iran’s supreme leader over the weekend.

That reaction came as the conflict in the Middle East expanded into a third day. President Donald Trump indicated it could go on for several weeks.

Amin Yousefimalakabad says right now he is concerned about his family, who he says lives near military bases in Tehran, the capital of Iran.

He described businesses with shattered windows and explosions near his family’s home.

At the same time, Yousefimalakabad says he felt relief learning about the killing of the ayatollah.

He says he fled Iran four years ago after facing political persecution.

“I used to be a political prisoner in Iran. I got arrested in one of the protests that happened in Iran, and I was under torture for two weeks,” he said in an interview with KATU News. “They put me in prison for six months. I had, even when I was thinking about those days, it made my body shake from inside because I didn’t deserve that. I just wanted the first things that I can have in a foreign country like America in my country. I wanted freedom. I wanted to have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, to choose who I want to be.”

Meanwhile, Yousefimalakabad says he still can’t return to Iran, fearing he would be punished for his Christian beliefs and says although the regime could change, the ideology in Iran might not.

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