PSU, Pitt hope to resume long-term series
May, 14, 2013
May 14
2:45
PM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
CHICAGO -- Penn State athletic director Dave Joyner jokes with his Pitt counterpart Steve Pederson about scheduling football games somewhere on the Pennsylvania Turnpike between State College and Pittsburgh.
It's unlikely the Nittany Lions and Panthers will lock horns on the side of the road, but they could be seeing each other annually for many years to come. Pederson told colleague Brett McMurphy at the ACC spring meetings Tuesday that he'd like to schedule more games against Penn State beyond the schools' agreement to play from 2016-19. Joyner has strong interest, too.
"We'd be interested in talking about that," Joyner told ESPN.com at the Big Ten spring meetings. "It's a great series. It's been a great linchpin in Pennsylvania for everyone there. Steve and I will definitely talk about doing that."
The longtime rivals announced in 2011 they would resume their series, which had been dormant since 2000, and tacked on two more games in December. Penn State and Pitt met every season from 1935-1992. They took a break when Penn State joined the Big Ten, but then resumed with a four-game series from 1997-2000. The Lions own a 50-42-4 advantage in the all-time series.
Pederson said he "would sign a 30-year deal" if he could, adding that the Pitt-Penn State game "ought to be played." Penn State coach Bill O'Brien also has voiced his support for the series.
"Pitt-Penn State, who can forget those games back in the day, usually late in the season, snowing?" O'Brien said on Penn State's recent coaches' caravan. "I think it's great for college football."
Penn State might not be able to play Pitt annually after the Big Ten goes to a nine-game conference schedule in 2016, but there is certainly more support for the series than there was during the latter part of Joe Paterno's tenure.
Joyner also said Penn State is "actively working" on a 2014 game in Ireland, reportedly against UCF, and hopes to have a resolution in the next few weeks. More neutral-site games are a possibility for Penn State, which kicks off the 2013 season against Syracuse at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
"Neutral sites are a very, very interesting proposition," Joyner said. "It's good for everybody. From a monetary standpoint, it's a very satisfactory thing to do, but it also engages people in other parts of the country to perhaps come to games. So it's a good thing to consider doing."
It's unlikely the Nittany Lions and Panthers will lock horns on the side of the road, but they could be seeing each other annually for many years to come. Pederson told colleague Brett McMurphy at the ACC spring meetings Tuesday that he'd like to schedule more games against Penn State beyond the schools' agreement to play from 2016-19. Joyner has strong interest, too.
"We'd be interested in talking about that," Joyner told ESPN.com at the Big Ten spring meetings. "It's a great series. It's been a great linchpin in Pennsylvania for everyone there. Steve and I will definitely talk about doing that."
The longtime rivals announced in 2011 they would resume their series, which had been dormant since 2000, and tacked on two more games in December. Penn State and Pitt met every season from 1935-1992. They took a break when Penn State joined the Big Ten, but then resumed with a four-game series from 1997-2000. The Lions own a 50-42-4 advantage in the all-time series.
Pederson said he "would sign a 30-year deal" if he could, adding that the Pitt-Penn State game "ought to be played." Penn State coach Bill O'Brien also has voiced his support for the series.
"Pitt-Penn State, who can forget those games back in the day, usually late in the season, snowing?" O'Brien said on Penn State's recent coaches' caravan. "I think it's great for college football."
Penn State might not be able to play Pitt annually after the Big Ten goes to a nine-game conference schedule in 2016, but there is certainly more support for the series than there was during the latter part of Joe Paterno's tenure.
Joyner also said Penn State is "actively working" on a 2014 game in Ireland, reportedly against UCF, and hopes to have a resolution in the next few weeks. More neutral-site games are a possibility for Penn State, which kicks off the 2013 season against Syracuse at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
"Neutral sites are a very, very interesting proposition," Joyner said. "It's good for everybody. From a monetary standpoint, it's a very satisfactory thing to do, but it also engages people in other parts of the country to perhaps come to games. So it's a good thing to consider doing."
What kind of player is Penn State getting in safety Marcus Allen? And what can fans expect?
NittanyNation turned to one of the people who knows most what Allen is capable of on the field -- DaLawn Parrish, his high school coach at Upper Marlboro (Md.) Wise, who played defensive back for Wake Forest -- and asked what separates Allen as a player, how he first noticed Allen's ability and when the player especially showcased his potential.
NittanyNation turned to one of the people who knows most what Allen is capable of on the field -- DaLawn Parrish, his high school coach at Upper Marlboro (Md.) Wise, who played defensive back for Wake Forest -- and asked what separates Allen as a player, how he first noticed Allen's ability and when the player especially showcased his potential.
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DT Ricky Walker (Hampton, Va./Bethel) holds more than a dozen offers and will name his top five shortly after the end of the evaluation period.
He's high on PSU's big board, and the DT recently spoke with NittanyNation about his interest in PSU, his thoughts on the Nittany Lions' DL coach and more.
He's high on PSU's big board, and the DT recently spoke with NittanyNation about his interest in PSU, his thoughts on the Nittany Lions' DL coach and more.
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Video: Most important game -- Penn State
May, 14, 2013
May 14
11:00
AM ET
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Penn State still can win the Leaders Division title despite the NCAA sanctions, and the Lions will need to go through Ohio State to do so. PSU aims for its third win in four tries at Ohio Stadium in its most important game.
WolverineNation’s Tom VanHaaren talks with Phil Murphy about Lawrence Marshall’s commitment, and what’s shaping up to be a loaded defensive line class for Michigan. Also, with a limited class size, Penn State is doing well. NittanyNation’s Josh Moyer stops by to discuss.
Big Ten bloggers Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett preview this week’s Big Ten meetings in Chicago.
Class of 2015 CB Tarvarus McFadden (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage) said he was happy to add a Penn State offer to his growing list -- but he still hasn't reached a verdict on the Nittany Lions.
"I really don't know too much about them," he said. "I'm going to do my research, but right now, I don't know too much. I haven't talked to Coach [Anthony] Midget that much; he just visited my school last week."
"I really don't know too much about them," he said. "I'm going to do my research, but right now, I don't know too much. I haven't talked to Coach [Anthony] Midget that much; he just visited my school last week."
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Heading into summer, NittanyNation will look closer at the 2014 recruits who claim offers from Penn State. Today we examine athlete Troy Vincent, who should announce his decision very soon.
Vitals: CB Troy Vincent, Balitmore (Md.) Gilman, 5-foot-9, 189 pounds
Vitals: CB Troy Vincent, Balitmore (Md.) Gilman, 5-foot-9, 189 pounds
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NittanyNation takes a look at this past week's Penn State football news and what you might have missed:
- PSU welcomed two new commits on Friday, landing safety Marcus Allen and then linebacker Jared Wangler later on. Allen has come a long way
since playing JV linebacker, while Wangler's coach said his work ethic helps separate the linebacker. Wangler also later recounted his commitment day in depth. - Five-star CB Jabrill Peppers is down to just four schools -- and it turns out PSU is one of the remaining choices. He'll visit Penn State on May 18.
- The coach of Penn State recruit Daquan Worley called his player fast, tough and physical . Worley also talked about his commitment and said he wasn't always a lock for PSU .
- 2015 CB John Reid already has double-digit scholarship offers , but he said he's nowhere close to naming any favorites.
- ESPN 150 CB Dravon Henry hasn't seen his recruitment get any easier since he named a top four about two months ago.
- Joe Schad reports that Steven Bench is considering a transfer to NC State in addition to Mississippi State and South Florida.
- Bill O'Brien said fans should not expect a "mass exodus" anytime soon. And Adam Rittenberg writes that O'Brien is also embracing his role in PSU's outreach.
- Jared Shanker took a lighthearted look at recruiting pitches in the Big Ten, including what each team is selling and what each team is missing.
- PSU is the first major program to start recruiting 2015 QB Ryan Brand , and the rising junior is thrilled.
- 2015 LB Jerome Baker may live in Ohio, but he said he actually grew up a Penn State fan in this past week's edition of "5 Questions."
- Incoming run-on kicker Chris Gulla addressed his chance at starting and what fans can expect from him at the position.
- DT Jeremiah Clarke named his top six schools and PSU made the cut.
- Like a lot of B1G teams, PSU is after a 2015 OT who is already 6-foot-8 and 295 pounds .
- We took a closer look at Penn State's big board when it comes to DBs .
Jared Wangler's mind raced during his 50-minute flight Friday morning to State College. He leaned heavily toward PSU but, even then, he still wasn't 100 percent certain he would commit to Penn State.
The linebacker from Warren (Mich.) De La Salle stared out the window and reflected on the other opportunities at Cincinnati and Michigan State. He envisioned his career under different coaches. And he rattled off pros and cons inside his mind, right after a brief 10-minute nap.
The linebacker from Warren (Mich.) De La Salle stared out the window and reflected on the other opportunities at Cincinnati and Michigan State. He envisioned his career under different coaches. And he rattled off pros and cons inside his mind, right after a brief 10-minute nap.
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It turns out a late Michigan State offer didn't change the mindset of linebacker Jared Wangler (Warren, Mich./De La Salle) after all.
Wangler flew into State College on Friday and confirmed in a text he pledged to the Nittany Lions. He is the second commitment today, joining safety Marcus Allen, and is the ninth overall commit in this 2014 class.
"I was comfortable with the coaching staff -- and it's Linebacker U. It's a great tradition," Wangler previously said. "I like everything about that program. Other than that, it has a good atmosphere and it's a nice college town. I felt very comfortable."
The 6-foot-2, 218-pound prospect was leaning heavily toward the Nittany Lions when Michigan State, a school less than a 90-minute drive from home, entered the picture Tuesday with a scholarship offer. He said on Wednesday night that he was still a heavy PSU lean, but he wanted to talk over the new offer with his family because he wanted to be 100 percent sure about his decision.
And, on Friday, it's clear he was 100 percent sold on the Blue and White.
Wangler joins four-star commit Troy Reeder as the linebackers of this class. Reeder is slated to play inside, while Wangler will play on the outside.
Wangler finished his junior season with 76 stops, 10 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and two fumble recoveries in nine games. He also held offers from Bowling Green, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio, Toledo and Western Michigan.
Wangler flew into State College on Friday and confirmed in a text he pledged to the Nittany Lions. He is the second commitment today, joining safety Marcus Allen, and is the ninth overall commit in this 2014 class.
The 6-foot-2, 218-pound prospect was leaning heavily toward the Nittany Lions when Michigan State, a school less than a 90-minute drive from home, entered the picture Tuesday with a scholarship offer. He said on Wednesday night that he was still a heavy PSU lean, but he wanted to talk over the new offer with his family because he wanted to be 100 percent sure about his decision.
And, on Friday, it's clear he was 100 percent sold on the Blue and White.
Wangler joins four-star commit Troy Reeder as the linebackers of this class. Reeder is slated to play inside, while Wangler will play on the outside.
Wangler finished his junior season with 76 stops, 10 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and two fumble recoveries in nine games. He also held offers from Bowling Green, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio, Toledo and Western Michigan.
What PSU is getting in its latest LB commit 
May, 10, 2013
May 10
4:18
PM ET
By
Josh Moyer | ESPN.com
Jared Wangler's commitment to Penn State might just be a few minutes old, but the big question now is what kind of player is Penn State getting here?
NittanyNation turned to one of the people who knows most what he's capable of on the field -- Matt Lewis, an assistant coach at Warren (Mich.) De La Salle -- and asked what separates the outside linebacker, and how he first noticed Wangler's potential.
NittanyNation turned to one of the people who knows most what he's capable of on the field -- Matt Lewis, an assistant coach at Warren (Mich.) De La Salle -- and asked what separates the outside linebacker, and how he first noticed Wangler's potential.
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Safety Marcus Allen (Upper Marlboro, Md./Wise) has just become the eighth commit for the Nittany Lions, his head coach confirmed.
"I believe that he looked at all of his options, took a couple of visits, really liked the atmosphere and liked the coaching staff," Wise coach DaLawn Parrish said.
Allen said in March that he hadn't really formed an opinion on the Nittany Lions. But after a visit to spring practice -- and a closer look at the facilities, tempo and staff -- the 2014 prospect said his entire outlook had changed.
PSU became a favorite in a short period of time, and he was at the Blue-White Game last month talking to commits like Mark Allen. Marcus previously said that early playing time with PSU was also a positive.
"They showed me the depth chart and said I could make an impact," he said. "They didn't say I would get a starting position -- no school would tell me that -- but they said the opportunity to play early is really high. So I know if I work my butt off in the weight room and classroom, then I can get that job."
Allen finished his junior season with 69 tackles (39 solo), two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The former linebacker also deflected nine passes.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound prospect holds more than 20 offers. He chose Penn State over schools such as Clemson, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Pitt and Rutgers.
He is the second defensive back of the 2014 class, the first of whom, Daquan Worley, came just last week.
"I believe that he looked at all of his options, took a couple of visits, really liked the atmosphere and liked the coaching staff," Wise coach DaLawn Parrish said.
PSU became a favorite in a short period of time, and he was at the Blue-White Game last month talking to commits like Mark Allen. Marcus previously said that early playing time with PSU was also a positive.
"They showed me the depth chart and said I could make an impact," he said. "They didn't say I would get a starting position -- no school would tell me that -- but they said the opportunity to play early is really high. So I know if I work my butt off in the weight room and classroom, then I can get that job."
Allen finished his junior season with 69 tackles (39 solo), two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The former linebacker also deflected nine passes.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound prospect holds more than 20 offers. He chose Penn State over schools such as Clemson, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Pitt and Rutgers.
He is the second defensive back of the 2014 class, the first of whom, Daquan Worley, came just last week.
Inspired by Florida's "#ComePlayWRFortheJoker" campaign">Florida's "#ComePlayWRFortheJoker" campaign, our recruiting writers looked at other ways schools can sell themselves on the trail. Here's a look at recruiting pitches for the Big Ten:
Illinois Illini
What they’re selling: A chance to rebuild a program from the ground up, beginning with four-star quarterback Aaron Bailey, who signed in 2013.
What they’re missing: Just about all of the top prospects from their own state.
Indiana Hoosiers
What they’re selling: Indiana coach Kevin Wilson embraces the idea of a college spring break and is ready to head to Cancun with some of his players.
What they’re missing: Wilson looks like he might hold the group up in Mexico, however, as he still needs the assistance of a flotation device. Points that it is in the shape of a turtle, though.
Iowa Hawkeyes
What they’re selling: Iowa boasts one of the few staffs that can say they will be there all four years of a recruit’s career and has the history to back it up. Kirk Ferentz is the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten and it’s not even close.
What they’re missing: Out-of-state prospects tend to think Iowa is all cornfields, leaving the staff to battle that misconception countless times throughout the recruiting cycle.
Michigan Wolverines
What they’re selling: Michigan coach Brady Hoke looks like an outlaw patrolling the sideline on Saturdays without a headset.
What they’re missing: The player who graces the NCAA Football 2014 cover Denard Robinson. "Shoelace" was one of the Wolverines’ best recruiting tools.
Michigan State Spartans
What they’re selling: Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is the man behind Little Giants, one of the greatest trick plays of the last few decades.
What they’re missing: A trip to a Rose Bowl under Dantonio would put Michigan State over the top when it comes to recruiting. There is already a significant difference in the caliber of player the Spartans are now getting compared to just a few seasons ago.
Minnesota Gophers
What they’re selling: The Gophers boast the biggest locker room in college football.
What they’re missing: They have not had a winning season since 2008.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
What they’re selling: Bo Pelini whipped out “The Bernie” in the Huskers’ Harlem Shake video. Harlem Shake equals instant credibility with recruits.
What they’re missing: A lack of a strong base of in-state talent makes it tough to recruit at Nebraska, and a Harlem Shake video can overcome only so much.
Northwestern Wildcats
What they’re selling: The new facilities are right near Lake Michigan, which, as assistant Bob Heffner is telling recruits, is a great spot for fishing.
What they’re missing: Not too many high schoolers in New Jersey have taken up fishing as a hobby. At least not yet.
Ohio State Buckeyes
What they’re selling: Urban Meyer is bringing SEC speed to the Big Ten.
What they’re missing: Has anyone actually clocked Meyer in the 40-yard dash? How fast is he really?
Penn State Nittany Lions
What they’re selling: Beaver Stadium fits more than 106,000 on Saturdays, making it the second largest stadium in the country. Inside is also one of the country’s most passionate fan bases, and ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit once listed Penn State’s student section as “simply the loudest, most supportive student section in college football.”
What they’re missing: A full slate of scholarships and a chance to play for a Big Ten title the next few years.
Purdue Boilermakers
What they’re selling: Few programs have the history Purdue does at quarterback, and former Boilermakers Drew Brees, Kyle Orton and Curtis Painter are all on NFL rosters. The Boilermakers just signed ESPN 300 QB Danny Etling, too.
What they’re missing: Brees, Orton and Painter.
Wisconsin Badgers
What they’re selling: The Badgers have been to three straight Rose Bowls.
What they’re missing: The coach who took them there.
Illinois Illini
What they’re selling: A chance to rebuild a program from the ground up, beginning with four-star quarterback Aaron Bailey, who signed in 2013.
What they’re missing: Just about all of the top prospects from their own state.
Indiana Hoosiers
What they’re selling: Indiana coach Kevin Wilson embraces the idea of a college spring break and is ready to head to Cancun with some of his players.
What they’re missing: Wilson looks like he might hold the group up in Mexico, however, as he still needs the assistance of a flotation device. Points that it is in the shape of a turtle, though.
Iowa Hawkeyes
What they’re selling: Iowa boasts one of the few staffs that can say they will be there all four years of a recruit’s career and has the history to back it up. Kirk Ferentz is the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten and it’s not even close.
What they’re missing: Out-of-state prospects tend to think Iowa is all cornfields, leaving the staff to battle that misconception countless times throughout the recruiting cycle.
Michigan Wolverines
What they’re selling: Michigan coach Brady Hoke looks like an outlaw patrolling the sideline on Saturdays without a headset.
What they’re missing: The player who graces the NCAA Football 2014 cover Denard Robinson. "Shoelace" was one of the Wolverines’ best recruiting tools.
Michigan State Spartans
What they’re selling: Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is the man behind Little Giants, one of the greatest trick plays of the last few decades.
What they’re missing: A trip to a Rose Bowl under Dantonio would put Michigan State over the top when it comes to recruiting. There is already a significant difference in the caliber of player the Spartans are now getting compared to just a few seasons ago.
Minnesota Gophers
What they’re selling: The Gophers boast the biggest locker room in college football.
What they’re missing: They have not had a winning season since 2008.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
What they’re selling: Bo Pelini whipped out “The Bernie” in the Huskers’ Harlem Shake video. Harlem Shake equals instant credibility with recruits.
What they’re missing: A lack of a strong base of in-state talent makes it tough to recruit at Nebraska, and a Harlem Shake video can overcome only so much.
Northwestern Wildcats
What they’re selling: The new facilities are right near Lake Michigan, which, as assistant Bob Heffner is telling recruits, is a great spot for fishing.
What they’re missing: Not too many high schoolers in New Jersey have taken up fishing as a hobby. At least not yet.
Ohio State Buckeyes
What they’re selling: Urban Meyer is bringing SEC speed to the Big Ten.
What they’re missing: Has anyone actually clocked Meyer in the 40-yard dash? How fast is he really?
Penn State Nittany Lions
What they’re selling: Beaver Stadium fits more than 106,000 on Saturdays, making it the second largest stadium in the country. Inside is also one of the country’s most passionate fan bases, and ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit once listed Penn State’s student section as “simply the loudest, most supportive student section in college football.”
What they’re missing: A full slate of scholarships and a chance to play for a Big Ten title the next few years.
Purdue Boilermakers
What they’re selling: Few programs have the history Purdue does at quarterback, and former Boilermakers Drew Brees, Kyle Orton and Curtis Painter are all on NFL rosters. The Boilermakers just signed ESPN 300 QB Danny Etling, too.
What they’re missing: Brees, Orton and Painter.
Wisconsin Badgers
What they’re selling: The Badgers have been to three straight Rose Bowls.
What they’re missing: The coach who took them there.
Every week, NittanyNation will pose five questions to a recruit, player, alum or coach about all things Penn State.
This week's subject is 2015 prospect Jerome Baker, a linebacker/tailback out of Cleveland (Ohio) Benedictine who already holds nine offers, including one from Penn State. The Nittany Lions are recruiting him as a linebacker, and he was last on campus for the Blue-White Game.
NittanyNation: I'm assuming you grew up an Ohio State fan since you lived in Ohio, right? So, tell me, what do you know about Penn State?
This week's subject is 2015 prospect Jerome Baker, a linebacker/tailback out of Cleveland (Ohio) Benedictine who already holds nine offers, including one from Penn State. The Nittany Lions are recruiting him as a linebacker, and he was last on campus for the Blue-White Game.
NittanyNation: I'm assuming you grew up an Ohio State fan since you lived in Ohio, right? So, tell me, what do you know about Penn State?
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ABOUT NITTANY NATION
Josh Moyer
Josh Moyer joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering Penn State football for recruiting website Nittany Network and City Hall for The Citizens' Voice in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Moyer graduated from Penn State and earned his graduate degree at Columbia. Email him at espnjoshmoyer@gmail.com.