22
October 2012
NCAA sanctions hold football team back by Ryan Beckler When the NCAA levied “unprecedented” [and arguably harsh] sanctions on the Penn State Football Program two months ago, no one really knew how harsh those sanctions would be. Those invested in the future of Penn State thought the consequences of the sanctions would not only affect Bill O’Brien’s newly undertaken program, but the other teams umbrellaed by the athletic program and also many offthe-field, non-athletic organizations. Those fears have not yet been put to rest. The sanctions have certainly taken their toll on the Nittany Lion Football team, a squad that is only a third of the way through the season. During the season opener vs. Ohio, Penn State came out strong but eventually
fell flat during the second half, mainly due to depth issues on defense. During the fourth quarter, the linebacking corps was noticeably fatigued, letting Ohio easily drive down the field for the game-clinching touchdown. Had Khari Fortt, junior middle linebacker, not transferred to California University, Penn State’s defense would have had the extra linebacking depth that they lacked during the final drive. The following Saturday, Penn State lost a gut-wrenching game in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Nittany Lions had the win in their back pockets, several times in fact, but their kicker by default, Sam Ficken, faltered on four occasions. He struggled all afternoon, hooking two kicks wide left and missing wide right twice more. Penn State’s would-be kicker, Anthony Fera,
“The Intercollegiate Athletics piece of the project funding was tight to begin with, and the restructuring of the ICA capital budget after the sanctions put the project further out of reach.” Lisa Powers, university spokeswoman transferred to Texas only five weeks before the Virginia game with this statement:
“I’ve been afforded the opportunity to give back to my family and make their lives a little easier by transferring to a university much closer to home, The University of Texas.” Although he transferred due to a family medical situation, one could wonder if he might have stuck it out with the team if the opportunity to leave hadn’t arrived. Three weeks into the season, Penn State might have been 4-0, but due in part to sanctioninduced transfers, they sit at a frustrating 2-2. While Bill O’Brien’s opening season has shown points of promise, the attendance at Beaver Stadium have not. The three home games thus far have shown
see
Sanctions, pg. 24
Penn State football program moves forward by Molly Cochran Goosebumps and chills: two feelings every Penn state fan could identify with at the first home game of the season. As the student section filled up and alumni filed into their tight seats, the scene will never be forgotten. As the crowd anxiously awaited the football team, the roar was unlike any Nittany Lion heard before. The crowd sang the alma mater, emphasizing “May no act of ours bring shame…” as the football team poured out of the tunnel and ran across the field. They were just as excited as the crowd as they ran to the alumni section and tried to get them on their feet to help cheer. The Penn State football team of 2012 moved on. Signs that the football team has moved on are everywhere. There are names on the back of the jerseys. Crowd members wore blue ribbons, signifying
“The One Team logo is a good motto. We are one school, one team, moving forward together.” Nolan Maynard
the awareness of childhood abuse, while the ‘One Team’ logo is posted nearly everywhere. Players are also exercising their new right to grow facial hair. “The One Team logo is a good motto,” said Nolan Maynard a junior (environmental engineering) and season ticket holder. “We are one school, one team, moving forward together.” One team. That is what the entire
crowd was on September 1st, at the home opener. It was the first home opener the team had lost since 2001. According to the Penn State Athletics website, nearly 97,000 Penn State supporters gathered at the game on September 1st and showed that they would support the Penn State football team no matter what. The football team has taken a rough hit in light of the NCAA sanctions (see the NCAA sanctions article for more), but it is clear that the players who decided to stay are feeling right at home. Nick Mox, (junior-accounting), a season ticket holder, said that he noticed some changes during the first game and was proud to be a part of the new era of Penn State Football. “The fans seemed more anxious and excited than usual,” Mox said. “[The fans] seemed in high spirits like last year, if not higher this season,” Mox
said. Maynard also expressed a similar experience at the game. “When the players ran out of the tunnel, there was a feeling of relief from the crowd,” he said. Change was in the air on the first game of the season. A moment of silence was held at the beginning of the game for the victims and Mox stated that he thought this was enough to signify the past. “A moment of silence was suffice [sic], nothing more nothing less,” said Mox. Penn State’s new coach, Bill O’Brien may face many challenges this season. O’Brien faced tough questions at the press conference following the first
see
Football, pg. 25