Al Pacino to play Joe Paterno in upcoming movie
Who Ah
Al Pacino will play Joe Paterno in a movie about the late Penn State football coach. Producer Edward R. Pressman confirms Brian De Palma will direct “Happy Valley,” the tentative title of the film, based on Joe Posnanski’s best-seller “Paterno.”
“‘Happy Valley’ reunites the `Scarface’ and `Carlito’s Way’ team of De Palma and Pacino for the third time and I can’t think of a better duo to tell this story of a complex, intensely righteous man who was brought down by his own tragic flaw,” Pressman said in a statement. No start or release dates were given for the film.
While Pressman said the plot remains “under wraps,” Posnanski’s book followed Paterno’s final years, as the winningest coach in college football history saw his career end in disgrace in 2011 with the sex abuse scandal involving assistant Jerry Sandusky.
Bill O’Brien wins Big Ten coach of the year award
I Was Told This Was Going To Be Worse Than SMU
Bill O’Brien was officially named Big Ten coach of the year. Next up for Penn State’s first-year coach, in all likelihood, are some national awards.
O’Brien led the Nittany Lions to an 8-4 record, going 6-2 in conference play. His eight wins are the most by a first-year Penn State coach. Six Penn State players obtained first-team All-Big Ten status under his coaching.
That’s impressive enough on its own, but even more so considering O’Brien replaced Hall of Fame head coach Joe Paterno, who was fired last year in the aftermath of child sex abuse charges against now-imprisoned assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.
Penn State defensive end Deion Barnes was named the conference’s freshman player of the year.
WTF: Franco Harris
Special Uninvited Guest
Former Penn State legend Franco Harris has defended Joe Paterno to the point that he showed up for the teams first game with a cutout of his former coach in his luxury box. Paterno and Franco made their way around the stadium as they gladly posed for pictures with fans.
3,000 Fans Show Up For Penn State Football’s First Workout
We Are Penn State
Penn State football players showed up for their first morning workout of the preseason at 6:00 am Tuesday morning and they were not alone. An estimated 3,000 Penn State fans gathered outside the Lasch Building and cheered as player after player filed into the building for their workout.
In an event dubbed “Rise and Rally”, fans with signs lined the walkway from the Lasch Building to Holuba Hall and cheered as each player was greeted at the door by the wife of Joe Paterno, Sue.
“After all the things that have happened, it’s good to see the community coming together,” State College resident Gene Tyworth said amid cheers and band fight songs.
The university closed McKean Road to accommodate the event.
Police Chief Tyrone Parham said, “We expected a couple thousand people.”
State College resident Cindy Bittner said despite the early hour, “I wouldn’t miss it.”
She added: “I’m excited for the team.”
“This is Penn State,” said Lisa Benson of Boalsburg. “People don’t get that.”
Joe Paterno Statue Removed From Penn State
Gone
Joe Paterno’s statue was removed Sunday morning and shortly after the NCAA announced it would hold a press conference Monday morning where sanctions would be issued against Penn State.
The 7-foot, 900-pound statue erected in 2001 to honor Paterno, was taken down with a forklift outside of Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., with more than 100 Penn State students watching.
On Friday, Paterno’s widow, Sue, and two of their children visited the statue. In a statement Sunday after the statue’s removal, the family said, “Tearing down the statue of Joe Paterno does not serve the victims of Jerry Sandusky’s horrible crimes or help heal the Penn State Community. We believe the only way to help the victims is to uncover the full truth. The Freeh report, though it has been accepted by the media as the definitive conclusion on the Sandusky scandal, is the equivalent of an indictment—a charging document written by a prosecutor—and an incomplete and unofficial one at that.”
NCAA president Mark Emmert will make the announcement Monday morning regarding the sanctions against Penn State. In its announcement Sunday, the NCAA said it will hand out “corrective and punitive measures” against Penn State.
Grambling Seeks To Have Joe Paterno Wins Vacated
What Does It Take To Be Number 1
The city attorney and mayor of Grambling, La., sent a letter to the NCAA asking it to vacate some of Joe Paterno’s wins so Grambling State’s Eddie Robinson could again hold the record for the most Division I football victories, the Shreveport Times reported.
Robinson had 408 wins at Grambling State, and Paterno had 409 while at Penn State. Current Grambling State head coach Doug Williams also chimed in on the “interesting” timing of Paterno’s firing.
“Right after (Paterno) broke the record, they let him go,” said Grambling State football coach Doug Williams, who both played for Robinson and replaced him as the Tigers’ coach in 1998. “That’s interesting. A lot of people have reservations about the timing. The NCAA definitely has to review it and look at it. I’m a little biased toward coach Robinson, but the timing (of Paterno’s firing), if it had happened at the end of the year, it would have been something different.”
Sports Cartoonist Updates Joe Paterno Obituary Cartoon
Original vía Cagle Post
Sports cartoonist Rob Tornoe, who does sports cartoon work for the Philadelphia Inquirer, drew the above cartoon shortly after Joe Paterno’s death in January which features legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant welcoming him into heaven. But since the Freeh Report’s release Tornoe has updated his original cartoon.
Updated via Cagle Post
Nick Saban Says Tax Penn State Athletics To Benefit Kids
Come Here My Son
Nick Saban said one option to address the Penn State tragedy might be a ticket tax on athletic events and giving the proceeds to child abuse funds.
“This is a very, very criminal situation that probably reflects poorly on a lot of folks,” Saban told a small group of reporters before speaking at Southeastern Conference media days. “It’s probably too almost raw to really have a feeling that I can express. I think that what we all should probably be thinking a little bit more about is what do we want to be the outcome of this? Something that’s a win-win type thing, for kids in the future, the people that are there now, the players that are there now.
“Maybe they ought to tax all the tickets that they sell on athletics and give the proceeds to some child abuse organization. Or something like that, rather than worrying about some punishment that is really going to have no positive affect on anything.”
The Alabama coach didn’t go into details of how a tax would be implemented. He stressed his comments had to do more with philosophy than a real recommendation.
He also said he has faith that Alabama tries to promote the moral obligation that we all have to protect other folks.
“Everybody has a responsibility and obligation to represent their institution that way, and I believe in that.”
Penn State Students Camp Out To Protect Joe Paterno Statue
Safety Never Takes A Holiday
Another day, another new development at the Joe Paterno statue. Turns out now that security at the statue has since stopped even with a plane flying over the campus declaring it would take care of it if the school didn’t.
A few students have decided to strap on their Paul Blart skills on and take it upon themselves to provide security for the statue. So students decided to spend the night camping out at the security to ensure that no one does any harm to it.
Banner Flown Over Penn State Campus Saying Take Down Statue Or We Will
Come & Take It
Penn State security had ordered guards to monitor the Joe Paterno statue late last week 24 hours a day. Now Penn State might have to intensify their security efforts after yesterday a plane flew over the campus today with a banner that read, “Take down the statue or we will”.
Penn State Club Renames Paternoville To Nittanyville
Change Gonna Come
The Penn State student group that manages the area outside Beaver Stadium where students camp out for prime football tickets has changed the name of the tent city that spouts up the week before home games in Happy Valley.
The also-renamed Nittanyville Coordination Committee said Monday that student officers decided the name change would “return the focus to the overall team and the thousands of students who support it.”
On its website, the student organization that runs makeshift campgrounds said that “since it was unlikely another coach would stay as long as Coach Paterno had, changing the name for each new coach would be impractical.”
“Now, it’s a new era of Nittany Lion football,” committee President Troy Weller said in a statement released Monday. “And by changing the name to Nittanyville we want to return the focus to the overall team and the thousands of students who support it. We thank the Paterno family for their gracious assistance and support over the last several years.”
Students at this year’s encampment plan to donate some fundraising proceeds to a child abuse prevention and treatment center.
The tent city was dubbed Paternoville in 2005, and the student organizing group became an official university organization, recognized by the office of student affairs, the following year.
Joe Paterno Wall Mural Loses Halo
Just A Mortal
Michael Pilato, an artist has removed a halo from a mural of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno amid the school’s child sex-abuse scandal. Pilato had put a halo over Paterno’s image after the beloved coach’s death in January, but said he felt he had to remove it Saturday after a report that Paterno, former university president Graham Spanier and others buried allegations of child sex-abuse against ex-assistant Jerry Sandusky. Paterno’s family denies the claim.
Pilato added a large blue ribbon, instead, on Paterno’s lapel symbolizing support for child abuse victims, a cause the artist said Paterno had endorsed. Pilato earlier removed Sandusky from the downtown mural. He said he hasn’t made a decision on Spanier’s image. Spanier has not been charged. Sandusky has been convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
Penn State Sees Surge In School Donations
Forever Linked
Penn State received more than $208 million in donations for the fiscal year that just ended, the second-highest total in university history despite the upheaval after the arrest of Jerry Sandusky on child sex abuse charges.
The school said Monday there was a raise in the number of alumni who donated money or gifts in the fiscal year that ended June 30 to more than 75,500, reversing two years of declines.
The number of donors overall which would include corporations and non-alumni also rose slightly to more than 191,000. Donations included gifts for scholarships; as well as increases in giving to the football booster club and the annual student-organized dance marathon to raise money for pediatric cancer patients and research. Only the 2010 fiscal year was more prolific for Penn State, when the school raised more than $274 million.
University vice president Rod Kirsch says the school is grateful for the contributions amid “incredibly difficult circumstances.
Sandusky, a retired assistant football coach, was arrested in November. It led to ouster of head coach Joe Paterno, a move criticized by some alumni and former players. Sandusky is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of 45 criminal counts last month.
Penn State Pledges $1.5 Milli For Sex Crimes Groups
P.R. Tour
Penn State will give $1.5 million from its share of postseason bowl revenue to two sex-crimes advocacy groups as it deals with the aftermath of sex abuse allegations against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
School officials promised the donation Thursday as part of a three-year partnership with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
The money will come from Penn State’s share of Big Ten bowl revenue.
University President Rodney Erickson says the scandal illustrates the impact such abuse has not only on individuals, but broader communities.
The Sandusky scandal resulted in the departures of coach Joe Paterno and university President Graham Spanier. Sandusky has acknowledged showering with young boys but says he never sexually abused them.
Mike McQueary Played In Jerry Sandusky’s Golf Tourney After Alleged Rape
This Is What I Saw Coach
Mike McQueary’s reaction to seeing a young boy allegedly being raped in the Penn State football showers is under heavy scrutiny, and his behavior in the months following also seems unusual. According to a grand jury report, McQueary testified he heard “sexual activity” coming from the showers on March 1, 2002, and saw then 59-year-old Jerry Sandusky sodomizing a boy he estimated to be about 10 years old.
McQueary has been criticized for not doing more to help the boy, and for going to his dad and head football coach Joe Paterno rather than police or child services. Then a 28-year-old graduate assistant, McQueary has since changed his story, according to a leaked email, saying he informed police the night it happened.
The police say there is no evidence to support such a claim.
Paterno described McQueary as “very upset” when he shared the news with his head coach the next morning, and yet 26 days later McQueary participated in an event with Sandusky. Multiple sources are reporting McQueary, an assistant coach on Penn State’s football team, played in a charity flag football game in which Sandusky coached on March 28, 2002.
Less than three months later, on June 21, 2002, McQueary played in a celebrity golf tournament benefiting Sandusky’s charity, The Second Mile, according to citizensvoice.com. McQueary played in Sandusky’s golf tournament again in 2003 and played in another flag football game with Sandusky coaching in April 2004.
Joe Paterno Addresses Penn State Students
The current Penn State scandal involving former former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky is one of the most disturbing stories in sports memory. With accusations of sexual abuse now coming from almost 20 kids, Joe Paterno’s role as the team’s leader continues to come into question. Yesterday Penn State student’s gathered in front of Coach Paterno’s home, where he address the students and his first comments since the scandal has surfaced.
There are reports out today that say he is retiring at the end of the season.
Mike McQueary, Penn State Receivers Coach, Is Key Witness
This Is What I Saw Coach
Current Penn State wide receivers coach Mike McQueary is an eye-witness in the grotesque Penn State scandal in which former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky has been accused of sexually assaulting eight boys over 15 years.
According to the police report, a graduate assistant saw Sandusky sexually assault a boy in the locker room shower of a Penn State facility in 2002. PennLive.com reported that the then-28-year-old assistant was McQueary, who played for the Nittany Lions from 1994 to 1997.
McQueary was said to have told head football coach Joe Paterno of the incident the following morning. The head coach then told athletic director Tim Curley and university vice president Gary Schultz. Attorney General Linda Kelly said on Saturday that despite McQueary’s account, the shower incident was not reported to police.
McQueary testified that after entering the locker room to put away some recruiting tapes, he went to the shower to investigate a noise and saw Sandusky performing a sex act with a boy about 10 years old.
Curley and Schultz, who stepped down late Sunday night, denied that they heard from McQueary and now face perjury charges from the grand jury investigation.
As the starting quarterback in 1997, McQueary lead Penn State to a 9-3 record and the Florida Citrus Bowl. After spending 2002 as a graduate assistant, McQueary was bumped up to an administrative assistant with the football program. He has since ascended to the role of wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator.
Penn State Planning Joe Paterno’s Exit?
You Could Have Done More
According to The New York Times, Penn State is preparing for the exit of longtime football coach Joe Paterno in the wake of the sexual abuse scandal involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. The Times’ report came less than an hour after Paterno’s weekly press conference was cancelled early Tuesday afternoon. Scott Paterno, the coach’s son, informed the Associated Press that the press conference had been cancelled at the insistence of University President Graham Spanier’s office.
Two high-ranking officials, Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, have already stepped down from their positions in the wake of the scandal. Both former Penn State officials surrendered to police on Monday and face charges of failing to alert police to the criminal activity as well as perjury in their grand jury testimony.
Unlike Curley and Schultz, Paterno is not a target of the investigation. According to State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan, Paterno fulfilled his legal obligation by informing his superiors of the allegations against Sandusky. However, Noonan made clear that he believed Paterno’s behavior did not fulfill one’s moral obligation:
“Somebody has to question about what I would consider the moral requirements for a human being that knows of sexual things that are taking place with a child.” Noonan added: “I think you have the moral responsibility, anyone. Not whether you’re a football coach or a university president or the guy sweeping the building. I think you have a moral responsibility to call us.”
Primetime College Football: Outback Bowl
TALENT
This game goes down on the ABC network and it features the Penn State Nittany Lions taking on the University of Florida Gators in the 25th annual Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Florida, 7-5, 4-4 SEC, The Gators are playing their final game under Urban Meyer who lost two of their final three games of the season and the lone win came against Division II opponent Appalachian State. Meyer will hand over the reins to former Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp following this game.
The Florida offense averaged just under 30 ppg while putting up 165.6 ypg rushing and 191.2 ypg passing every game. Quarterback John Brantley is completing 61.4 percent of his passes for 2,020 yards with 9 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Deonte Thompson was the team’s leading receiver with 36 grabs for 548 yards. The ground game for the Gators wasn’t a whole lot better as it was led by Jeffery Demps and his 531 yards on 89 carries. Trey Burton was the most efficient of the rushers, scoring 11 times though on 73 attempts.
Defensively the Gators have an impact player and Sunday bound in Ahmad Black who registered 102 tackles and 10 tackles for loss to go along with 3 interceptions and pair of fumble recoveries.
Penn State, 7-5, 4-4 Big Ten, Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions enter this bowl having lost two of its final three games of the season but prior to that the Lions had reeled off three straight wins. The Nittany Lions offense has seen better days but still has the schools all time leading rusher in Evan Royster who is playing in his last game. Royster produced 916 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The passing attack for Penn State now relies on quarterback Matt McGloin, who was given the job midway through the season. He has since gone on to complete 58 percent of his passes for 1,337 yards with 13 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. Derek Moye is Penn State’s impact player in the receiver department with 806 yards and 7 touchdowns while Brett Barrett is next with 497 yards and 5 touchdowns.
The Nittany Lions have a standout player on defense as well in linebacker Chris Colasanti who has 102 tackles.
Florida is 2-0 all-time against Penn State.
PICK: Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State’s Joe Paterno ‘I Can’t Hear You’ Interview
This interview by Penn State head coach Joe Paterno reminds everyone that he is old as he did this interview with Steve “The Big Dog” Duemig of WDAE-AM in Tampa last week.
Penn State Beat Up By Other Penn State Fans For Dressing In Michigan Colors
Smooth
A Penn State fan dressed up in blue and yellow for Halloween was attacked by four Penn State fans at Beaver Stadium on Saturday night. Police said that the fan was attacked because the four men thought he was a Michigan fan.
The victim was treated at Mount Nittany Medical Center and sustained a broken nose. They must have all been wearing Joe Paterno thick glasses.
Primetime College Football: Wolverines vs Nittany Lions
TALENT
This game goes down on the ESPN network and it features University of Michigan Wolverines takes on Penn State University Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium.
Head coach Rich Rodriguez brings Michigan to Beaver Stadium after having a idle week at 5-2 overall and 1-2 in Big Ten play this year. The Wolverines are in a similar situation to the 2009 season, when a 35-10 loss to Penn State began a downward spiral. Michigan was an identical 5-2 heading into last year’s Penn State matchup, which jump-started a season ending five game slide.
Thanks to the dynamic play of sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson, who has thrown 1319 yards 9 touchdowns 5 interceptions while rushing for 1096 yards 9 touchdowns, has Michigan with one of the most potent attacks around. Unfortunately Robinson is listed as questionable for this weekend with an undisclosed injury. Sophomore quarterback Tate Forcier, 349 yards 2 touchdowns 2 INTs, has stepped in and played very nicely.
On the defensive side of the ball is where Michigan has had issues this season, allowing 441 total ypg. The pass defense has been especially bad for the Wolverines, who are giving up 296.3 ypg through the air. The team has also surrendered 14 touchdowns on the ground so that part of the defense hasn’t fared much better.
Head coach Joe Paterno has the Nittany Lions in a rebuilding mode as they are 4-3 overall but only 1-2 in the Big Ten. Penn State put a halt to a two game game slide with its 33-21 victory of Minnesota last weekend.
Sophomore quarterback Matt McGloin, 76 yards 2 touchdowns 1 interception, stepped in after starter freshman Rob Bolden, 1307 yards 5 touchdowns 7 INTs, was knocked out of the game. McGloin listed as the third-stringer was inserted ahead of second stringer Kevin Newsome, who received a few snaps in the second half. Junior wide receiver Derek Moye, 458 yards 3 touchdowns, may prefer the change as he hauled in a pair of touchdowns from McGloin last weekend.
The ground game has been a big disappointment and provided no real help for either quarterback as senior Evan Royster, 450 yards 2 touchdowns, is far off the preseason expectations. Freshman running back Silas Redd added a little spark to the attack after getting a few more carries last weekend.
This is the 16th all-time meeting between Michigan and PSU with the Wolverines holding a 10-5 edge in the series.
PICK: University of Michigan Wolverines
Primetime College Football: Nittany Lions vs Hawkeyes
TALENT
This game goes down on the ESPN network and it features Penn State University Nittany Lions taking on the University of Iowa Hawkeyes in Kinnick Stadium.
Head coach Joe Paterno leads his Nittany Lions into their first Big Ten conference game but overall at 3-1. The Nittany Lions haven’t won in Kinnick Stadium since 1999 will look true freshman quarterback Rob Bolden, 823 yards 3 touchdowns 5 INTs, to lead them to victory. Senior running back Evan Royster, 297 yards one touchdown will be asked to carry a heavy load. The Nittany Lions though will have to produce on offense without starting offensive tackle Lou Eliades, who was lost for the season with a knee injury.
Head coach Kirk Ferentz brings his Hawkeyes into this game 3-1 for their first conference game. The Hawkeyes are averaging 36 points a game and senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi, 999 yards 9 touchdowns one interception, has completed 66.7 percent of his throws a 10 percent jump from last year. Sophomore running back Adam Robinson, 385 yards 6 touchdowns, leads the ground game after sophomore Jewel Hampton will miss the remained of the season for the second straight year. Senior wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, 270 yards 3 touchdowns, is Stanzi’s favorite target.
The Hawkeyes defense had only allowed 12 ppg and has only given up 65.5 ypg on the ground without allowing a single rushing touchdown this season. Junior defensive tackle Mike Daniels leads the team with 3 sacks and senior linebacker Jeff Tarpinian is the teams overall leading tackler with 32. Last year’s ALL-SGE-NCAA Football team member senior defensive end Adrian Clayborn has yet to really get going, constantly facing double teams as he has only 10 tackles and one tackle for loss, this season.
The series between these two schools is tied at 11-11, with Iowa having won seven of the last eight meetings. The Hawkeyes are 7-2 over Paterno under Ferentz.
PICK: University of Iowa Hawkeyes
Primetime College Football: Lions vs Tide
TALENT
This game goes down on the ESPNU network and it features the Penn State University Nittany Lions taking on the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Bryant-Denny Stadium down in Tuscaloosa.
Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions got off to a great start by beating Youngstown State 44-14. Paterno is college football all-time winningest coach and is closing in on 400 career victories, as his record stands now at 395-129-3, in this his 45th year. But the Nittany Lions are 4-8 under Paterno against No. 1 teams and they haven’t beaten a top-ranked opponent since 1990 against Notre Dame.
The Nittany Lions watched as freshman quarterback Rob Bolden, 20-29 for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns, set a true freshman record and was the schools first true freshman to begin a season under center since Wally Richardson in 1992. Senior wide reciever Brett Brackett, 8 catches 98 yards one touchdown, was clearly Bolden favorite target. Penn State star running back Evan Royster is only 440 yards away from passing Curt Warner as the school’s all-time leading rusher. Usually a potent rushing team, Penn State gained only 132 yards against the Penguins.
The Penn State defense is looking to replace several starters from last years squad but still held the Penguins to 75 rushing yards and 189 yards passing. Senior linebacker Chris Colasanti led the defense with 13 tackles and fellow senior linebacker Bani Gbadyu had 8 tackles.
Alabama is without suspended defensive end Marcell Dareus, and will be without last years Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram as he sits out due to injury. However head coach Nick Saban still looks to have the pieces of the puzzle to add another national championship to their 13. Saban’s resume isn’t quite as long as Paterno’s but is at 120-50-1 and has 2 BCS National Championships.
Alabama beat San Jose State 44-3 last week and turned out 591 total yards mainly from sophomore running back Trent Richardson, 66 yards 2 touchdowns while sitting out entire second half, and freshman Eddie Lacy, 113 yards 2 touchdowns. Alabama is still lead under center by senior quarterback Greg McElroy, 13-16 218 yards one touchdown, who hasn’t lost a game in his football career as a starter. Junior wide receiver Julio Jones,6 catches 93 yards one touchdown, and junior Marquis Maze,3 catches 68 yards one touchdown, lead the receiving game.
Alabama’s defense managed to hold San Jose to just three points as freshman linebacker C.J. Mosely led the defense with seven tackles. Junior linebacker Chris Jordan was a close second with 6 tackles.
These two powerhouses are meeting for the first time in 20 years. Alabama leads 8-5 overall, but the Nittany Lions won the last meeting, a 9-0 shutout in Tuscaloosa in 1990.
PICK: University of Alabama Crimson Tide
