Most indispensable players: Ohio State

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

We're getting near the end of our series looking at the most indispensable players on each Big Ten team. Once again, this is not necessarily a listing of the best players on each team, but ones whose absence would be toughest to absorb because of their particular value or a lack of depth behind them. We're selecting two players from each Big Ten squad, usually one on offense and one on defense, but not always. Ohio State is on the clock: Braxton Miller, QB, Sophomore It's not just that Miller is the team's best playmaker and a seemingly perfect fit in Urban Meyer's spread offense.

Big Ten chat: today at noon ET

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Just a quick reminder that we'll be chatting about all things Big Ten football today at noon ET. Let's discuss the news coming out of the Big Ten spring meetings in Chicago, how the Big Ten fits into college football's future playoff and anything else that's on your mind. See you at noon ET.

B1G quiet on expansion, watching terrain

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

CHICAGO -- Two years ago, Big Ten expansion dominated the discussion at league's spring meetings. This week, the subject barely came up when athletic directors and others got together. The Big Ten presidents and chancellors announced in August that the league "will not be actively engaged in conference expansion at this time, or at any time in the foreseeable future, barring a significant shift in the current intercollegiate athletic landscape.

B1G quiet on expansion, watching landcape

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

CHICAGO -- Two years ago, Big Ten expansion dominated the discussion at league's spring meetings. This week, the subject barely came up when athletic directors and others got together. The Big Ten presidents and chancellors announced in August that the league "will not be actively engaged in conference expansion at this time, or at any time in the foreseeable future, barring a significant shift in the current intercollegiate athletic landscape.

Spring breakout players in the Big Ten

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Spring practice is a time when coaches install new schemes or just instill the fundamentals. The most exciting part of spring practice is potential new stars emerge, with newcomers or former reserves turning heads with their performances. Some of these guys will fade back into the shadows come fall. But others will be making major contributions on a field near you. Here's a list of some players who had breakout springs: Josh Ferguson, RB, Illinois: Redshirted last year after a hamstring injury, Ferguson blew up for 130 yards and caught six passes in the Illini spring game.

Bill O’Brien Comments on Penn State’s Out of Conference Schedule

Source: Victory Bell Rings by Tim Tolley

Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien was asked about the upcoming season and had some pretty flattering, and true, things to say about the first four games of the Penn State season.

On Ohio University, O’Brien spoke of their “unique schemes” both … [visit site to read more]

Bill O’Brien Comments on Penn State’s Out of Conference Schedule - Victory Bell Rings - Victory Bell Rings - A Penn State Nittany Lions News Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Lions earn track and field honors

Source: Centraldaily.com

UNIVERSITY PARK A pair of Nittany Lion track and field standouts earned Big Ten recognition on Tuesday, as senior Joe Kovacs was named Field Athlete of the Year, while freshman…

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Penn State softball duo earns honor

Source: Centraldaily.com

PARK RIDGE, Ill. Penn State softball players Cassidy Bell and Kasie Hatfield were named to the All-Big Ten First Team and Second Teams, respectively, announced by the conference coaches…

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Former lineman DeOn'tae Pannell signs with Saints

Source: The Daily Collegian

Former Penn State guard DeOn’tae Pannell officially became a member of the New Orleans Saints on Monday, signing a...

Notes from the Coaches Caravan Stop in Cleveland

Source: Black Shoe Diaries by Jared Slanina

I was fortunate enough to attend the penultimate day of the Coaches Caravan in Cleveland on Tuesday night. Since there wasn't much interest from the Northeast Ohio media, the press conference prior to the event consisted of just Tim Tolley of Victory Bell Rings and myself sitting across the table from Bill O'Brien. Below are some of the more notable comments that came from BOB during the presser and the Coaches Caravan.

From the press conference:

On implementing a new offense:
"We put everything in (for the Blue-White Game), but we weren't going to show our hand too much on all the things that we're

Bell, Hatfield win All-Big Ten honors

Source: The Daily Collegian

Junior Cassidy Bell was named to the All-Big Ten first team on Wednesday, which made her the first Penn State student-athlete to receive that honor since 2006. Sophomore Kasie Hatfield received her first All-Big Ten honors, selected for All-Big Ten second team.

Coach O’Brien Comments on a Possible Penn State Uniform Tweak

Source: Victory Bell Rings by Tim Tolley

I asked Bill O’Brien about a potential  addition to the uniforms (helmets) on Tuesday night at the Cleveland stop of the Coaches Caravan. The reason I asked, is because I am actually FOR it. I think that bringing back the numbers to the side of the … [visit site to read more]

Coach O’Brien Comments on a Possible Penn State Uniform Tweak - Victory Bell Rings - Victory Bell Rings - A Penn State Nittany Lions News Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Video: Wrapping up the Big Ten meetings

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Adam Rittenberg wraps up the final day of the Big Ten spring meetings in Chicago

B1G launches concussion research initiative

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

CHICAGO -- The Big Ten is bringing together its brainpower to help gather more information about the effects of concussions in sports. Commissioner Jim Delany announced Wednesday that the league members will launch a research initiative about how head injuries affect athletes in all sports. The Committee on Institutional Cooperation, the Big Ten's internal academic consortium, which includes all 12 sports members and the University of Chicago, will manage the project and the research efforts.

Baseball. Baseball Closes Regular Season at Michigan State

Source: Penn State Official Site

Penn State baseball (27-24, 13-8) travels to Michigan State beginning on Thursday for its final series of the 2012 regular season before Big Ten Tournament action. The Nittany Lions, who have clinched a spot in the conference tournament, are currently tied for second place in the standings with Indiana. If Penn State closes out the weekend with the two seed, it will earn itself a first round bye in the tournament.

Meyer reveals depth chart, talks leaders

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer met with the media Wednesday and unveiled a post-spring depth chart. It didn't contain a lot of surprises. Some of the most interesting items from the depth chart -- and Meyer's comments -- included: Doran Grant has risen to co-starter status with Travis Howard at cornerback. Spring game sensation Michael Thomas is listed as the backup to Devin Smith at receiver, with Corey Brown and Evan Spencer the other starters there.

B1G to tweak title game ticket sales strategy

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

CHICAGO -- When the Big Ten put 20,000 general public tickets on sale for the inaugural football title game in late July, they were gone within two hours. But many of those tickets -- bought by fans whose teams didn't qualify for the game in Indianapolis -- reappeared on websites like Stubhub.com days before the game, creating a soft secondary market. Some tickets were priced as low as $9 right before the game. Although the game sold out, there were several thousand empty seats at Lucas Oil Stadium when Wisconsin played Michigan State.

Video: Jim Delany on spring meetings

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany recaps the league's spring meetings with Adam Rittenberg.

Big Ten, Pac-12 pact moving forward

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

CHICAGO -- Despite a few speed bumps, the Big Ten/Pac-12 scheduling partnership is "a go," Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany told his league's athletic directors this week. The details are still being worked out, which isn't a surprise when you have 24 major-conference programs with unique interests, scheduling philosophies and scheduling agreements. But Delany hopes to have a more specific idea of the scheduling models in the next few months. "We do want it all fit in," Delany said Wednesday.

B1G to discuss tie-in with Pinstripe Bowl

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

CHICAGO -- The Big Ten favors having a college football playoff within the existing bowls, which essentially pushes those games to warmer climates in the south and west. As Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said, "Let's say it is 5 degrees. Is that right for the game?" Apparently it's OK for lower-tier bowls. League commissioner Jim Delany said Wednesday that the Big Ten will have discussions with the Pinstripe Bowl, played outside in late December at New York's Yankee Stadium, about a potential future tie-in.

Big Ten to discuss tie-in with Pinstripe Bowl

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

CHICAGO -- The Big Ten favors having a college football playoff within the existing bowls, which essentially pushes those games to warmer climates in the south and west. As Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said, "Let's say it is 5 degrees. Is that right for the game?" Apparently it's OK for lower-tier bowls. League commissioner Jim Delany said Wednesday that the Big Ten will have discussions with the Pinstripe Bowl, played outside in late December at New York's Yankee Stadium, about a potential future tie-in.

Softball. Bell and Hatfield Earn All-Big Ten Softball Honors

Source: Penn State Official Site

Penn State softball standouts Cassidy Bell (Bakersfield, Calif.) and Kasie Hatfield (Tampa, Fla.) were named to the All-Big Ten First Team and Second Team, respectively on Wednesday by league coaches. Bell was a unanimous selection becoming the first Penn State student-athlete on the All-Big Ten First Team since 2006 (Jenn Reynolds).

Michigan's Lewan maturing into a leader

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan lost some invaluable leadership on the offensive line when center David Molk graduated. A somewhat unlikely figure is volunteering to fill that void. "I definitely see myself as a leader," junior left tackle Taylor Lewan told ESPN.com. "I want to be one of the main guys that really helps through all the successes and all the bad things. I want that to be put on myself. "I'm the left tackle, the blind side. They made a movie about it.

M. Basketball. Penn State Basketball To Offer Five Camp Opportunities Beginning June 1

Source: Penn State Official Site

Penn State basketball will offer five boys basketball camp opportunities on the University Park campus this summer beginning June 1-3 with the Father/Son Camp.

Big Ten lunchtime links

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

The league meetings in Chicago and playoffs (cue Jim Mora clip) dominate your hump day links: The Big Ten's love of the Rose Bowl is making it act irrationally and against the league's best interests, Dan Wetzel writes. There's no guarantee on how that Rose Bowl relationship will continue. The Big Ten won't be able to use geography as an excuse for bowl performance in the future, Drew Sharp says. The league is pushing for a seven-win minimum to make a bowl game even though that may hurt some of its own teams.

W. Lacrosse. Nittany Lions Face Top-Seeded Florida in NCAA Quarterfinals

Source: Penn State Official Site

Penn State will continue its NCAA Championship journey on Saturday when it faces American Lacrosse Conference champion and No. 1 seed Florida in a 12:30 p.m. quarterfinal match-up at the Gators' Donald R. Dizney Stadium in Gainesville.

Lunchtime Poll: Will you be at Beaver Stadium this Fall?

Source: Victory Bell Rings by Tim Tolley

A good portion of the Penn State Coaches Caravan presentation was aimed at generating support for Penn State athletics as well as selling season tickets for the football team.
After witnessing the presentation first-hand, I think it will prove to … [visit site to read more]

Lunchtime Poll: Will you be at Beaver Stadium this Fall? - Victory Bell Rings - Victory Bell Rings - A Penn State Nittany Lions News Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Success With Hyperlinking Isn't the Only One Impressed

Source: Black Shoe Diaries by Cari Greene

Give credit where credit's due--even to Ohio State. Ramzy over at Eleven Warriors wrote a post about a game that sticks out in his memory: a fateful day in September.

The Big Ten home opener 12 seasons ago was against 1-4 Penn State. Despite their record - which included a 24-6 mortification courtesy of Toledo - the Nittany Lions were still one of those no-substitute-for-being-there tickets...

For at least one play I would have the best seat in the Shoe.

That play was a pitch-sweep right, to Jerry Westbrooks - and the white shirts read it perfectly. Ohio State's

Jerry Sandusky Trial: Defense Attorney Requests Dismissal of Charges

Source: Bleacher Report NCAAF

With just a couple of weeks until Jerry Sandusky is expected to go on trial following allegations of sex abuse, his attorney has asked for the charges against the former Penn State football coach to get dropped, according to Sara Ganim of The Patriot-News.

#Sandusky attorney filed a new request for charges to be dismissed. We're about three weeks from trial. Judge still hasn't ruled on a delay.

— Sara Ganim (@sganim) May 16, 2012

Sandusky's legal team, led by attorney Joe Amendola, previously requested the charges get dismissed back in March. The judge denied that attempt last month, but said another request would be allowed after more evidence was brought to the table.

Last week, Amendola made a request for the trial to get moved back so he had more time to prepare the defense's case. As mentioned in Ganim's tweet, no decision has been made as to whether or not that will be granted.

As it stands now, the Sandusky trail is still set to begin on June 5. He faces 52 counts of child sex abuse, but Amendola believes more time should be granted so that he can examine the mountain of evidence the prosecution plans to present in court.

It's impossible to know if Amendola really believes the charges will actually be dismissed or if the extra time will really help build a better defense. The motions could simply be a way to delay the trial for as long as they can.

Public opinion on Sandusky has already been set in stone, so trying to put some distance between the initial outrage and the trial would seemingly benefit the defense. That said, the verdict will ultimately be decided by the level of evidence prosecutors present.

Since there isn't much time before the trial date, final decisions on the delay and charge dismissal will have to come down in the next few weeks.

 

Read more Penn State Football news on BleacherReport.com

Sandusky renews effort to have charges thrown out (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Jerry Sandusky is again asking a judge to throw out the child sexual abuse charges against him, arguing that some counts are too vague to defend and others involve alleged victims whose identities haven't been determined.

Campus sites: Did B1G give up too easily?

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

CHICAGO -- When the college football playoff push kicked off, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith planted himself in the campus-sites camp. Smith favored having the semifinals on the campuses of the higher-seeded teams. The setup would give Big Ten teams like Ohio State an advantage they've never enjoyed in the current BCS/bowl setup -- nationally significant games on Midwest soil in late December or early January. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany was among the first major college football figures to stump for campus sites this winter.

W. Basketball. Fifth Annual Coquese's Drive for the Women's Resource Center Golf Tournament to be Held Aug. 31

Source: Penn State Official Site

The Fifth Annual Coquese's Drive for the Centre County Women's Resource Center presented by the Lady Lion Cager Club will take place on Friday, August 31 at the Penn State Blue Course, Lady Lion head coach Coquese Washington announced today. The tournament will commence with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Centre County Women's Resource Center.

Most indispensable players: Penn State

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

It's time once again for our series looking at the most indispensable players on each Big Ten squad entering the 2012 season. All together now: this is not necessarily a listing of the best players on each team, but of those whose absence would cause the most pain because of their particular value or a lack of depth at their positions. Up now: Penn State. Silas Redd, RB, Junior Although Bill Belton had a nice spring, Penn State's backfield otherwise looked very thin.

Penn State Football: Bill O'Brien Makes Savvy Move Naming Starting QB Now

Source: Bleacher Report NCAAF

Here at Your Best 11, we have talked about the importance of naming a quarterback at the end of spring and allowing that young man to grow into his role and properly prepare for the upcoming season. 

Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy has been the poster child for picking a quarterback as he came out early stating how important naming a starter was to his program. He followed his own advice three weeks later by naming freshman, Wes Lunt, the starter going into the season.

Now, about a month after Penn State concluded spring ball, the new head coach of the Nittany Lions is making a wise decision. Bill O'Brien has three players pushing for the starting job in Rob Bolden, Matt McGloin and Paul Jones.

Heading into the summer season, he plans on picking one guy to lead the way. From O'Brien's recent talk with alumni during an event:

“You can’t waste time, in my opinion, with a quarterback battle during training camp,” O’Brien said before speaking, along with three other coaches, to almost 400 Penn State alumni last night at the Omni William Penn Hotel. “We’re not a wishy-washy place. We’ve got to make decisions and some people aren’t going to be happy with the decisions, but that’s our job. It’s about the team, and we’re doing what’s best for the team.”

Smart man. Pick a quarterback and let him grow into the position.

One starter means one quarterback building his rapport with the receivers, tight ends and running backs. One starter means the offensive line knowing who to look to for the decisions. One starter means heading into training camp with everyone on one page.

Carrying over the quarterback battle into fall camp is never a good thing. It means splitting reps between two or three players, not prepping one guy by giving him the bulk of the repetitions. It means trying to tailor your playbook and play calls to the strengths of a couple different players within an offensive scheme.

Fall camp is about preparing for the season. If you are splitting reps two or three ways, that means guys are getting half or a third prepared; that's not good for the ball club.

“The guy I name the starter, he’s got to do a great job every day to keep his job so that doesn’t mean he can’t get beat out, but I think that’s important for our team to know who our starting quarterback is going into camp.”

As you can see, Bill O'Brien understands that point. Certainly with poor play someone else can grab the starting job. However, going through summer with a leader and into fall with a starter is a smart move. Especially in an offense that requires the quarterback to do more than run the read-option. Bill O'Brien is proving that he gets it.

That's a good thing for Penn State fans.

Read more Penn State Football news on BleacherReport.com

Video: Big Ten spring meetings

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Adam Rittenberg recaps the day at the Big Ten spring meetings, where the future postseason format and bowls were hot topics.

Big Ten chat moves to Thursday

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

I'll be covering the final day of the Big Ten spring meetings in Chicago, so my regular chat is moving from Wednesday to noon ET Thursday. Please join me then to recap the spring meetings, discuss the latest playoff developments and any other Big Ten issues that crop up. Again, noon ET Thursday. See you then.

Penn State Head Coach Bill O’Brien: “Jordan Hill is one of our best players, if not our best player.”

Source: Victory Bell Rings by Tim Tolley

Penn State head coach Bill O’ Brien recently said that DT Jordan Hill is “one of the best college defensive linemen” he’s ever been around. On Tuesday night, he elaborated on the 6’1″ 300 lb. senior.
“He’s got great explosiveness, really good hands … [visit site to read more]

Penn State Head Coach Bill O’Brien: “Jordan Hill is one of our best players, if not our best player.” - Victory Bell Rings - Victory Bell Rings - A Penn State Nittany Lions News Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

M. Golf. FEATURE: Foley Continues Outstanding 2012 Campaign on Nationwide Tour

Source: Penn State Official Site

Kevin Foley (`10) is coming into the summer as one of the hottest professional golfers in the country. In six events on the eGolf Tour, Foley has collected a win and three top-10 finishes, and he currently leads the money list with earnings of $43,066.64.

Penn State Coaches Caravan, Cleveland “Press Conference”

Source: Victory Bell Rings by Tim Tolley

“Coach, there’s a rumor floating around today that Curtis Drake has been kicked off the team. Do you have a comment on that?” “No.” That was how my conversation with Penn State head Bill O’Brien began. I use the word “conversation” because “press … [visit site to read more]

Penn State Coaches Caravan, Cleveland “Press Conference” - Victory Bell Rings - Victory Bell Rings - A Penn State Nittany Lions News Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Penn State seeks to host prep hoops, wrestling championships

Source: Centraldaily.com

Penn States attempt to secure the PIAA basketball and individual wrestling championships has encountered a glitch.

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Paterno apology hinges on Freeh report, education secretary says

Source: Centraldaily.com

Ron Tomalis, Pennsylvanias secretary of education and an ex-officio member of Penn States board of trustees, said the board will wait until the Freeh report is issued before deciding whether…

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Penn State aiming for major prep events

Source: Centraldaily.com

Penn States attempt to secure the PIAA basketball and individual wrestling championships has encountered a glitch.

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Cleveland Coaches Caravan “Press Conference”

Source: Victory Bell Rings by Tim Tolley

“Coach, there’s a rumor floating around today that Curtis Drake has been kicked off the team. Do you have a comment on that?” “No.” That was how my conversation with Penn State head Bill O’Brien began. I use the word “conversation” because “press … [visit site to read more]

Cleveland Coaches Caravan “Press Conference” - Victory Bell Rings - Victory Bell Rings - A Penn State Nittany Lions News Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Paterno apology hinges on report

Source: Centraldaily.com

Ron Tomalis, Pennsylvanias secretary of education and an ex-officio member of Penn States board of trustees, said the board will wait until the Freeh report is issued before deciding whether…

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Coach Gruden on Zone Blocking and the New Penn State Offense

Source: Black Shoe Diaries by bscaff

May, 2012

Tampa, FL - Inside the dark halls of Fired Football Coaches of America Headquarters

"BScaff! Welcome to Tampa, my man!"

"Thanks for having me down here, Coach Gruden. I'm looking forward to learning from the master."

"Ha! The master...but I still got myself fired, didn't I?"

"I'd point the blame at a below par roster; unrealistic ownership and fan expectations; and of course, the ready-for-Medicare QB combo of Brian Griese and Jeff Garcia. You had a worse QB situation than Bill O'Brien."

"That's my man.

Track. Kovacs, Creese Earn Big Ten Honors

Source: Penn State Official Site

A pair of Nittany Lion track and field standouts earned Big Ten recognition on Tuesday, as senior Joe Kovacs (Nazareth, Pa.) was named "Field Athlete of the Year," while freshman Robby Creese (Mount Airy, Md.) copped "Freshman of the Year" honors.

Delany discusses changing bowl landscape

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

CHICAGO -- Big Ten teams will be playing fewer bowl games in the future. And they'll likely be playing some of them in different locations. It's all part of a shifting bowl landscape that Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany discussed Tuesday at the league's spring meetings. Delany said there's a "very strong consensus" among the league's athletic directors that the bowl-eligibility requirement should increase from six wins to seven wins, a sentiment that's echoed nationally.