PSU Nittany Lions

NittanyNation reporter Josh Moyer stopped by SportsNation on Friday to chat about the state of Penn State football and answer your questions.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Bill O'Brien raised his voice as if a freshman quarterback had just criticized his play-calling -- and that demeanor remained unchanged for about 30 minutes.

Penn State's second-year coach fielded questions about a Sports Illustrated article that criticized the medical care of his players, and he was absolutely livid. Reporters would often see an angry O'Brien after difficult losses, but O'Brien never seemed angrier than Wednesday afternoon when he defended the program against the latest series of accusations.

"Look, for the past 16 months that I've been here -- along with my staff and everybody that works in this building, along with the players at Penn State -- we're trying to do our best," he said, his voice gradually rising. "We're trying to do our best in the classroom We're trying to do our best on the gamefield. That's what we're trying to do.

"We're recruiting what we believe are fantastic guys in the program. We have a hell of a coaching staff. We got people in our building that are the best I've ever been around. And we're just trying to do the best for Penn State. And, at the end of the day, I wish people would see that and understand that."

Penn State released a list of how other schools' medical staffs operate, and PSU's practices seemed on par with other Big Ten programs such as Northwestern and Nebraska. The Nittany Lions used to have an orthopedic surgeon and team physician at every practice, before a recent change in the staff.

O'Brien alluded to that list. Now, a team physician attends every practice while the surgeon is available at least once a week. But, at LSU and Iowa, those physicians aren't made available at every practice.

So, Penn State's coach implied there was no reason for a narrative that criticizes PSU's medical care.

"I want people to understand that the No. 1 priority to myself and to our staff at Penn State are our players," he said. "We have a deep connection with our players. We are battling an uphill battle. We are at 65 scholarships, 67 scholarships.

"You think for one second I would jeopardize the health and safety of the football team? With 65 scholarships? That's preposterous."

O'Brien deflected talk of being undermined, but he clearly wasn't pleased with a statement by Alumni Trustee Anthony Lubrano, who spoke with the Harrisburg-Patriot News. Lubrano questioned whether, in evolving more into an NFL-type atmosphere, that there could be "more of a rush to get the student back on the field."

ESPN's coach of the year fielded a response to that statement before taking one more question and ending the teleconference.

"I don't know where anyone can just say a quote about something they know nothing about," he said. "I don't understand, I don't comprehend it. I don't understand how someone can make a quote that they know nothing about, and then the quote is not true. The quote is not true."

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."

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 .

NittanyNation takes a look at this week's Penn State football news and what you might have missed:

• Cornerback Daquan Worley became the seventh PSU commit of the 2014 class.
• Ivan Maisel takes a closer look at the Nittany Lions and how they're embracing the future.
• Juco OT Jermaine Eluemunor changed his fate from a no-name recruit no Div. II schools wanted into one of the most coveted juco prospects in the nation -- in just one short year. Also, a closer look at the school that's helping mold him , Lackawanna College.
• Four-star wideout Chris Godwin said he welcomes the competition of two other 2014 receivers in this week's edition of "5 Questions." Godwin's coach also weighed in on his player, saying he hasn't coached "a finer football player in 25 years."
• An overview of where each Big Ten team stands when it comes to recruiting . And also an overview of PSU's spring on the field.
• Linebacker Jared Wangler talk about his upcoming visit to PSU and his interest in the Nittany Lions in this Q&A.
• USF and Mississippi State are among the schools that Steven Bench is considering, according to Joe Schad.
• DT Thomas Holley has had a whirlwind recruitment and talks about PSU and when he'll decide on his top schools.
• 2015 LB Jake Cooper grew up a PSU fan , and he's not shy about sharing his early favorite.
• Spreecast: The Big Ten bloggers take a look around the conference and chat with reporters from several team sites, including NittanyNation, about the top spring storylines.
• We talked about Worley, who might be the next commit, what Bench's transfer means and more football and recruiting in this week's chat.
• Tom Luginbill took a look at three ESPN 150 athletes and compared them to college standouts. PSU commit De'Andre Thompkins was among the players discussed.
• Brian Bennett asks if the Big Ten West is really the new Big 12 North.
• Our 2014 PSU spotlight series continued with ESPN 150 OT Alex Bars and CB Daquan Worley .
• ESPN/ABC announced their slate of B1G games, and two PSU games made the list.

 
In a stunning bit of spring news, Penn State announced Wednesday that sophomore quarterback Steven Bench is transferring.

It's a shocking development since Bench was competing for the starting job and entered spring practice with the upper hand on the position as the Nittany Lions' only returning scholarship quarterback. No reason was given for Bench's decision.

Soon after the announcement, Bench tweeted: "I've decided to leave Penn State and go to a school that will give me the opportunity to compete for the QB spot and reach my full potential."

"I have been meeting with all the players this week with my evaluation of where they are at related to football and academics and to discuss what they need to work on this summer," Penn State coach Bill O'Brien said in a statement released by the school. "After meeting with Steven, he informed me he wants to play elsewhere. We want what is best for Steven. I want to thank him for his contributions to the program. We wish Steven the best in the future and will assist him anyway we can."

O'Brien had said that Bench and junior college transfer Tyler Ferguson were even in the quarterback competition after spring practice concluded last week. Both players had similar stats in Penn State's spring game.

"I think both guys did some really good things," O'Brien said after the game. "I've said that all spring. I'd say, no, I'm not any closer as I sit here right now. Eventually, I'll have to make a decision.”

So what changed for Bench, who appeared in two games last year as Matt McGloin's backup? Was it clear to him that he'd fallen behind in the quarterback race? Or was he nudged out the door for some reason? (For what it's worth, Bench tweeted, "What did I do to deserve this?" earlier on Wednesday, though we've seen with college athletes and Twitter that it's often dangerous to read too much -- or anything -- into a single tweet.) A team spokesman said the move was not related to academics and was Bench's decision.

We'll wait for answers as to why Bench is leaving State College. For now, we know that Ferguson is the starting quarterback, and that the possibility of redshirting incoming freshman Christian Hackenberg has grown much slimmer. O'Brien might not have choice but to play Hackenberg right away, as the only other quarterbacks on the depth chart are walk-ons D.J. Crook and Austin Whipple. But it's going to be tough for any young quarterback to master O'Brien's system in such a short period of time.

Ferguson will be given every chance now to prove he can handle the job. Bench, meanwhile, will join Rob Bolden and Paul Jones as once-promising quarterbacks who have left Penn State in the past year.

UPDATE: It appears Bench decided to transfer after learning that Ferguson had won the job. While he told NittanyNation's Josh Moer that the decision wasn't totally based on falling to No. 2 on the depth chart, he also said the following about his meeting with O'Brien:

"It's out of my control, but I wasn't happy with it," he said. "I'm a competitor, so I'm not going to agree with that decision. But, at the same time, it's his decision and it's out of my control. I feel that it kind of left me no choice. I don't want to back anyone up. I want to play. I came here to play football."

It's another big weekend of spring games in the Big Ten, as three schools wrap up their drills with a Saturday exhibition inside their home stadiums.

We're here to preview them all, starting with Penn State's annual Blue-White game ...

When: Saturday, Noon ET

Where: Beaver Stadium

Admission: Free. Parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and lots open at 8 a.m. Fans will be able to enter the stadium through Gates A, B, C and E.

TV: Live on Big Ten Network

Weather forecast: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 49 degrees.

What to watch for: Forget traditional football scoring. Like last year's 77-65 game, head coach Bill O'Brien will divide the team between offense and defense and award points like so: two points for consecutive first downs and two points for single plays of 15 yards or more for the offense. Six points for a turnover, four for a sack and one for a three-and-out for the defense. For those scoring at home, well, don't bother. Just enjoy as the offense and defense go head to head and don't have to worry about splitting up units.

Like any team with a quarterback battle, the Nittany Lions' competition under center will get a lot of attention in this game. It's a two-man race between Steven Bench and junior college transfer Tyler Ferguson. O'Brien has said both players are neck-and-neck this spring, but maybe a big spring game performance will help one gain separation over the other. More likely, the competition will go into August, with freshman Christian Hackenberg thrown into the mix.

The team's depth at tight end should be on display, as Kyle Carter and Adam Breneman are likely to be limited at best because of injuries. Running backs Bill Belton and Akeel Lynch could see plenty of reps as they vie for carries alongside Zach Zwinak.

On defense, fans will see a new-look linebacking corps missing graduated stars Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges. Mike Hull and redshirt freshman Nyeem Wartman will try to show that they can reach the high standard at Linebacker U.

O'Brien has tried to limit some of the hitting in spring practice this year because of depth concerns but says there will be full tackling on Saturday. Even though the game plans will probably be very basic, fans will love seeing some hard-hitting Penn State football again.

NittanyNation takes a look at this week's Penn State football news and what you might have missed:

• Christian Hackenberg said he's doing all he can to make sure he competes for the starting quarterback job once he gets on campus in June. Bill O'Brien said on the first day of spring practice that he's definitely "in the mix."
  
• This in-depth feature on safety Marcus Allen , who holds nearly 20 scholarship offers, takes a closer look at just how Allen found success. Toward the end of his freshman year, playing JV linebacker another year was on his mind -- not scholarship offers.
• The coach of 2014 commit Nick Scott talked about the type of player PSU is getting and tossed around names like Gayle Sayers and Eric Dickerson.
• Bill O'Brien spoke with Adam Rittenberg for a Q&A about spring ball and what's new with the Nittany Lions.
• Safety Marcus Allen and cornerback Joe Shelton said their trip to Penn State exceeded their expectations . But they still didn't seem to enjoy it as much as DT Jeremiah Clarke, who called his trip "perfect."
  
• 2013 signee Kasey Gaines talked about his expectations and adjustments in this in-depth Q&A.
• The offense battled the defense in a best 3-out-of-5 competition, and there were also plenty of other news and notes on the first day of spring practice.
• ESPN Watch List prospect Dravon Henry recently named his top four , and Penn State made the short list.
• Mitch Sherman writes about the NCAA's plans for deregulation being paused -- at least for now.
• As part of a series, we're taking an overall look at rising seniors with Penn State offers. Up this past week were wideout Troy Apke and offensive tackle Noah Beh .
• NBC will air excerpts of a filmmaker's jailhouse interviews with Jerry Sandusky on Monday's "Today" show.
• Josh Moyer talked Penn State football and recruiting in this week's chat.

Christian Hackenberg knows he has a lot of learning to do before he can call himself the top quarterback at Penn State -- so he said he's taking every opportunity he can to brush up on the playbook.

ESPN's No. 1-rated passer will break out flash cards during study halls and lulls during school. His father will sit across from him at the dining room table in late afternoons and quiz him about defenses. And he'll curl up on his bed in the evening and familiarize himself with the packet that PSU coach Bill O'Brien provided him.

"I'm putting in as much time as I can," Hackenberg said. "If I have a minute where I'm not hanging out, whenever I have some free time, I'll study it. I couldn't give you an exact amount. Whenever I get free time, I think about it."

A lot of pressure has been piled upon the shoulders of the 18-year-old high-schooler. He's the headline of Penn State's top-25 recruiting class, a top prospect who's almost expected to carry this team into a new era predicated on passing. Some assume, if he doesn't start this season, he's a lock to start the next.

He won't arrive on campus until June, but O'Brien said Monday afternoon that the incoming freshman -- ranked as the No. 15 overall prospect in the 2013 class -- will still compete for the starting job this season. Hackenberg said he figured as much last year.

(Read full post)

Bowl games are once again part of Bill O'Brien's recruiting pitch at Penn State, and not just bowls taking place after the NCAA sanctions end.

O'Brien and others at Penn State are fully committed to scheduling a game in Ireland in the coming seasons, which will serve as a bowl game of sorts for the players and fans. Unless NCAA penalties are reduced, which still seems unlikely, Penn State will be banned from postseason play for three more seasons.

The Lions won't play in the game formerly known as the Emerald Bowl, but they almost certainly will participate in their own Emerald Isle Bowl.

"We're definitely exploring it and trying to be aggressive about it," O'Brien told reporters Friday at the Maxwell Football Club awards.

There are two holdups, according to O'Brien. The first is finding an opponent willing to play in Ireland. The other is the future Big Ten schedule structure, which will feature nine or 10 games instead of the current eight.

League sources have told ESPN.com that the nine- or 10-game Big Ten schedule -- all indications point to nine games -- won't go into effect until the 2016 season, the first year Penn State's bowl ban is lifted. So if Penn State schedules the Ireland game in 2014 or 2015, it shouldn't have to worry about more Big Ten games.

There are other issues, such as the likelihood of earlier conference games. Penn State's game in Ireland likely will be the season opener or take place sometime in September. The Lions likely will have play some Big Ten games in September beginning next season with a Week 2 matchup at future league member Rutgers.

Penn State has three non-league games set for 2014: Temple, Akron and Massachusetts. It has one more non-league contest to schedule, which could be the matchup in Ireland. Two non-league games are set for 2015: Temple and Buffalo.

Could Temple be a possible Penn State opponent in Ireland? Although it would be a great showcase for the Owls, I think Penn State needs to aim a little higher and schedule a team with more name recognition to enhance the event.

The Ireland game sounds like a great idea and should pay off for O'Brien on the recruiting trail. If only Matt McGloin could come back for one more game ...

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Players' tweets start up a little after 4:30 a.m., that strange time when it's not quite day and not quite night. Traffic lights blink yellow along College Avenue, and -- outside of a whirring Herr's potato chip truck -- the roads are silent.

On this starless night ... or morning (take your pick) ... players pry their heads off their pillows and descend on the nearby Lasch Football Building. Streetlights around town still shine, and not a single student is spotted walking on a campus that holds more than 40,000.

But Garry Gilliam, a tight end turned offensive tackle, is up. He tweeted, at 4:39 a.m, "They sleep, we grind. They dream, we shine."

On this Friday, Penn State football players' days have already started. In about 30 minutes, their morning workouts will begin.

5:12 a.m.

Bill O'Brien walks onto the field with a whistle draped around his neck. The players are still inside the building, throwing on their gray T-shirts and blue shorts, and Penn State's dimple-chinned coach awaits them in the 31-degree weather.

Four bright stadium lights for the practice field are flipped on, and snow covers the perimeter of the turf. O'Brien chats with the staff and grad assistants, who constantly shift their weight from one leg to another to stay warm. He's cracking jokes, smiling and seems to be acting as if it's 3 p.m. He's ready.

"We should've had this at 3," he says with a nod.

About five minutes later, players burst from the weight room doors. Some hold their hands in the air, almost as if they're running through the south tunnel of Beaver Stadium. They yell, they chatter, they run.

The nearby stereo starts blaring LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem," and the drills begin.

5:28 a.m.

Strength and conditioning coach Craig Fitzgerald, an eccentric-but-beloved guy who's been known to lick the weight room floor and do the worm in pregames, is dressed in his trademark shorts, backward hat and T-shirt.

Players break into six groups. Some flip tires, others weave through cones, and others stretch. Fitzgerald guides about a dozen to the northwest corner of the field. If he pumps his arms left, they go left. Right, they go right. Down? Their stomachs kiss the turf.

But O'Brien isn't liking what he's seeing. He cuts the music, and the entire field falls silent like a third-grade classroom that's ticked off the schoolteacher for the last time.

"I don't see the intensity I'm expecting!" O'Brien barks. "Let's do it!"

The pace noticeably picks up.

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Penn State has signed larger and more decorated recruiting classes than the 2013 version, and brought in more big names. But the program has never faced NCAA sanctions, including scholarship reductions and postseason probation. Under the circumstances, the 17-member recruiting class PSU signed Wednesday might be one of the most impressive in team history. Penn State brought in star power like quarterback Christian Hackenberg and tight end Adam Breneman, retained most of its top recruits and addressed several needs. Head coach Bill O'Brien and his assistants have received a lot of praise for their first recruiting class of the sanction era, and deservedly so.

ESPN.com caught up with O'Brien on Wednesday to discuss the class.

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Dari Nowkhah interviews Penn State coach Bill O'Brien about the Nittany Lions' recruiting class, which is headlined by No. 1 quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Despite heavy NCAA sanctions, Penn State has produced a top-25 class.

NittanyNation takes a look at this week’s Penn State football news and what you might have missed:

• Penn State's run-on program is going to be more important than ever. This in-depth look shows the emphasis Bill O'Brien is putting on it and how D.J. Crook made it there.

• Curtis Cothran
• Defensive end
• 2013
• Committed: Penn State

Pos Rk	Stars	Grade	Hometown
110		70	Newtown, PA

• Curtis Cothran's coach talked about the kind of player PSU is getting and mentioned how Cothran could stop sprinting ball-carriers with just one arm.

• As part of an ongoing series, NittanyNation took a look at five commits and gave an overview of their rankings, scouting report and projected impact: Garrett Sickels, Kasey Gaines, Brandon Bell, Tyler Ferguson and Zayd Issah.

• Chris Geiss met Joe Paterno back in grade school, and the coach told him he'd be playing football at PSU one day. Sure enough, Geiss accepted an offer last week to become a preferred walk-on.

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