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THE TIMES LEADER
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012
H.S. WRESTLING
Perfect records vanish in finals
PSU FOOTBALL: “I’m not here to be Joe Paterno. There’s only one Joe Paterno. And so what I’m going to try to do is be Bill O’Brien.”
The new guy
Four unbeaten wrestlers fell in the last round of the WVC Tournament on Saturday. By DAVE ROSENGRANT drosengrant@timesleader.com
LEHMAN TWP. — Creating the first blemish on an undefeated wrestler’s season record at the midway part of the campaign is a memorable event. That’s how four grapplers felt on Saturday after the finals of the Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament as a quarTo see additional tet of unbeatens photos, visit went down in www.times the championleader.com ship. The most exuberant to knock off an undefeated was Wyoming Valley West’s Kyle Krasavage, who took down Meyers’ Vito Pasone (15-1) for the gold medal at 126 pounds in a battle of two top-ranked grapplers in the state. Krasavage netted a 10-3 victory to improve his mark this season to 14-1. “This is a big win because he’s ranked second in the state in 2A,” Krasavage said. “I came in confident. I thought I was going to win the whole time and I just pulled through.” See WRESTLING, Page 6C
AHL
Crunching defeat for Penguins Syracuse goalie’s big save halts Wilkes-Barre/Scranton rally in the final seconds. By TOM VENESKY tvenesky@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Geoff Walker was happy with the two goals he scored in Saturday’s contest against the Syracuse Crunch. But it was CRUNCH the one that got away that weighed on his mind the PENGUINS most. The Penguins were down by a goal with 17 seconds to play and an extra attacker on the ice. It was in that situation that Walker found himself alone in the right
AP PHOTO
Penn State’s new football coach Bill O’Brien is surrounded by the media after he was introduced during Saturday in State College. O’Brien, who is currently the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, replaces Joe Paterno.
O’Brien tries to pick up the pieces at PSU
By CHRIS DUNCAN AP Sports Writer
See PENGUINS, Page 6C
AP PHOTO
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AFTER A SO-CALLED careful, comprehensive and crucial search for a new head football coach, this is the best Penn State could come up with. A no-name. One of the most storied college football programs in the nation named Bill O’Brien to lead the Nittany Lions out of their darkest period and into a bright future. Who’s brilliant idea was this? If you’ve never heard of this guy, you’re not alone. Most people haven’t. He has no head coaching experience. O’Brien’s greatest claim to fame was becoming offensive coordinator this season for a New England Patriots team that already won three Super Bowls. And nobody would have noticed O’Brien was in that role if he didn’t get into that shouting match on the sideline with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady a couple weeks ago. Is this any way to replace a legend like Joe Paterno? “I’m not here to be Joe Paterno,” O’Brien emphatically said. “What I’m going to try to do is be Bill O’Brien.” But not even O’Brien can know who that is when it comes to his identity as a head coach.
See NOBODY, Page 5C
Texans cruise to victory in first time in playoffs
Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs for a touchdown against the Bengals during the fourth quarter Saturday.
A search that yields a nobody
See TEXANS, Page 7C
AFC WILD CARD GAME
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans turned to their kids, then to their stars to win the first playoff appearance in INSIDE: Saints franchise histoexplode against ry, a 31-10 rout of Lions. 7C the bungling Cincinnati Bengals. J.J. and T.J. and Andre and Arian. Rookie J.J. Watt’s leaping interception return for a touchdown late in the first half propelled the
OPINION
Texans in Saturday’s AFC wildcard game. Third-string quarterback T.J. Yates, another rookie pressed into action, then threw a
program. Introduced as the 15th head football coach in school history in the ballroom of the Nittany Lion Inn, O’Brien said he fully underSTATE COLLEGE — Before Bill O’Brien faced the lights, his stood that many Penn State alumni and lettermen are confused or wife and youngest son entered the room. Within a minute of angered over his hire. taking their seats in the front row, an armada of “I’m not here to be Joe Paterno,” O’Brien said. photographers rushed up to snap a few shots. MORE/INSIDE “There’s only one Joe Paterno. And so what I’m “Oh, wow,” gaped 6-year-old Michael, already •Respected assistant going to try to do is be Bill O’Brien. And we’re going clad in a No. 25 Silas Redd jersey. Larry Johnson will be to do the best we can to continue the success that “Oh, wow is right,” mother Colleen said. back. 5C he’s … had here for many, many years. Better get used to it. Dad isn’t anonymous any •Tom Bradley issues “We’re going to show respect for Coach Paterno more. statement. 5C and what he did here, and we’re going to move The guy who few had heard of a week ago was •PSU recruit Eugene forward to a new era of Penn State football. And introduced as Penn State’s new head coach on Lewis happy with hiring. 5C hopefully he’s proud of it at the end of the day.” Saturday. His contract runs for five years and will While many Penn State officials have avoided earn him approximately $2.5 million annually, invoking Paterno’s name since the Hall of Fame which includes revenue from TV, radio and Nike coach was fired Nov. 9, O’Brien made it a point to talk about him on top of a base salary of $950,000. throughout the day. Though he will return to his other job as offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots on Monday, O’Brien will do so as See O’BRIEN, Page 5C the man charged with repairing Penn State’s shattered football
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PAUL SOKOLOSKI
Uncharted waters O’Brien spent 14 seasons as a college assistant, first at Georgia Tech, then Maryland, then Duke, and none of those programs were exactly national powers. He later coached wide receivers and quarterbacks for four seasons on Bill Belichick’s staff in New England, before he was elevated to offensive coordinator this season. That offense scored 513 points to lead the AFC and ranked second in the NFL with averages of 317.8 passing yards and 428 total yards per game while catapulting the 13-3 Patriots into the AFC’s top seed heading into their divisional playoff opener next week. Penn State was apparently blown away by those numbers. “He’s going to be a winner, and he’s going to put on a show,” predicted John Nichols, who served on Penn State’s search committee for a new head coach. “You’re not going to see the offense sluggish.” That remains to be seen. Let’s see how O’Brien’s offense looks with Matt McGloin trying to make it go instead of Brady before making the new coach out to be anything more than a passing fancy. “A football program of this caliber requires a special kind of leader,” said Penn State’s new president Rodney Erickson. “I think he has the leadership, the skills to succeed.” But nobody knows for sure. And that’s scary, at a time when the Lions need a sure thing. Couldn’t Penn State find a
By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012 PAGE 5C
Johnson retained on defensive line Popular Penn State assistant is first choice to join staff of new coach Bill O’Brien.
By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com
STATE COLLEGE — The alumni and donors that packed into the ballroom at the Nittany Lion Inn applauded for Bill O’Brien. But they clapped louder and longer when the new Penn State head coach said this: “Larry Johnson, the defensive line coach who has been here for many years … is committed to coaching on my staff, and I look forward to working with Larry.” On a day when the Nittany Lions named a new football coach for the first time since February 1966, the biggest news may have been the return of Johnson, one of the program’s most successful
O’BRIEN Continued from Page 1C
In the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, emotions are still raw throughout the Penn State community. O’Brien said one of his most important duties is reaching out to people. “In order to get this football family moving in the right direction – and I’m the leader of that – it’s my job to bring all the different sides together,” O’Brien said. “I understand there’s some controversy out there right now. I see that, I understand that. … We respectfully request the opportunity to earn your trust.” That’s one of many obstacles for O’Brien to overcome as he transitions from the Patriots to Penn State. The 42-year-old Massachusetts native will remain in State College today to meet with his players this afternoon before heading back Foxborough to help prepare the Patriots for a Saturday playoff game while trying to salvage the Lions’ recruiting class. “I don’t think it’s going to be easy,” O’Brien said of splitting time between the two jobs until the end of New England’s season. “I think it’s something that’s been done before, though. “I’m not as concerned about signing ‘this many’ kids the next three weeks. I’m concerned about the next 10 to 20 years here. So I think the best thing that I can do is show our team the loyalty and commitment I have for the Patriots. And go there, do the best job I can for the Patriots. … Won’t be a lot of sleep.” Another important task is fill out a coaching staff, something O’Brien said he hopes to accomplish in the next “three or four days.” Larry Johnson has already agreed to remain on board as the defensive line coach, but the rest of Paterno’s former staff remains in limbo. Acting athletic director Dave Joyner called O’Brien the unanimous first choice of the school’s six-person search committee. “We talked to him several times,” Joyner said. “I talked to
and beloved assistant coaches. “I’m excited. I’m excited for my players and my family,” Johnson said. “I get a chance to continue to move forward with what I believe in at Penn State. And to be a part of the healing process is really important to me.” Johnson – who has spent 16 years coaching in college, all with Penn State – is the only member of Joe Paterno’s old staff confirmed to be returning to work under O’Brien. As he did for the previous 12 seasons for the Lions, Johnson will be the team’s defensive line coach. After Paterno was fired on Nov. 9, Johnson was elevated to co-defensive coordinator while still working with the down linemen. Asked whether he would also like to be considered for the fulltime defensive coordinator job, Johnson replied, “Doesn’t matter
to me. A title doesn’t make me who I am. “I’ve been here this long without a title. Your success speaks for itself as a coach. I’m OK without a title, to be honest with you.” It’s that type of attitude that endeared him to players and fans alike. And O’Brien, too. Projected to be the only link to the old staff, the burden falls on Johnson to resuscitate Penn State’s wounded recruiting effort in the short time left before national signing day on Feb. 1. “He’s been a great defensive line coach for a number of years,” O’Brien said. “And then I’ve asked him to basically guide us through the recruiting process right now these three weeks because he knows a lot about these guys they have committed or that they’re recruiting. “So no additional responsibili-
ties other than just making sure he lets us know all about these guys, where they fit, who they are and where they live. That’s going to be what he does in the immediate future.” Johnson and O’Brien sat down for a few hours Friday night after the Patriots coordinator flew into State College to finalize his deal. Though Johnson had interviewed for the head job himself, he said last week he would like to stay on staff as an assistant given the right situation. After discussing football and life with O’Brien, Johnson said he made up his mind to stick with Penn State at about 1 a.m. Saturday morning, some 10 hours before the introductory press conference. Johnson said he took a “couple hours” to come to his decision. “I had to go home and pray about it,” he said. “You always
AP PHOTO
Larry Johnson answers a reporter’s questionsJohnson will remain in his position on the new Penn State staff.
have to listen, try not to make a real knee-jerk decision this early. Go home, talk to family and really have a chance to talk to all my kids and really just kind of talk it out. That’s just who I am.” And Penn State is happy to have him back. “Larry Johnson is a great per-
Going the distance with Nittany Lions
THE BILL O’BRIEN FILE BORN: October 23, 1969, Dorchester, Mass. FAMILY: Wife Colleen, sons Jack (9) and Michael (6) ALMA MATER: Brown (1992) PLAYING CAREER: Linebacker and defensive end (1990-92) COACHING CAREER: Tight Ends, Brown, 1993; Inside Linebackers, Brown, 1994; Offensive Graduate Assistant, Georgia Tech, 1995-97; Running Backs, Georgia Tech, 1998-2000; Offensive Coordinator, Georgia Tech, 2001; Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator, Georgia Tech, 2002; Running Backs, Maryland, 2003-04; Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach, Duke, 2005-6; Coaching Assistant, New England Patriots, 2007; Wide Receivers, New England Patriots, 2008; Quarterbacks Coach, New England Patriots, 2009-10; Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach, New England Patriots, 2011; Head Coach, Penn State, 2012. OVERALL RECORD: No previous head coaching experience ASSISTED UNDER: George O’Leary (Georgia Tech); Ralph Friedgen (Maryland); Bill Belichick (New England Patriots) HIGHLIGHTS: Georgia Tech running game finished no lower than third in Atlantic Coach Conference in three seasons as the position coach for the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech led the ACC in passing and finished third in scoring in 2001. Under O’Brien’s tutelage, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady became the first unanimous Associated Press MVP in 2010. This season, the Patriots are second in the NFL in total offense (428 yards per game) and passing (317.8 yards); and tops in the AFC in scoring (32.1 points).
Former Valley West star Lewis ready to give new Penn State coach a big reception. By JOHN ERZAR jerzar@timesleader.com
A message that reads like his final farewell
The hiring of Bill O’Brien as Penn State’s new football coach did one thing for Eugene Lewis. It solidified the former Wyoming Valley West star’s verbal commitment to play for the Nittany Lions in the fall. “Actually, it made my decision easier,” said Lewis, who played quarterback the past two seasons but will be moved to receiver at the collegiate level. “I’m excited about it and I’m interested to see what kind of offense he’s going to run.” So excited that the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Lewis said he is ready to tell other colleges that they are likely out of the running. He has offers from nearly two dozen Division I programs, with Oregon turning up the recruiting in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal that resulted in Joe Paterno’s firing. “I’m going to probably tell some of the coaches that I’m sure about going to Penn State,” Lewis said. “I’ll thank them for everything they’ve done in recruiting me, but I’m pretty sure Penn State is what I want to do.” O’Brien’s name didn’t surface as a major candidate until last Sunday and he was a relative unknown compared to others rumored for the job. Lewis, though, liked the fact O’Brien is coming from the New England Patriots where he is the offensive coordinator. “He’s at a place where they win and they win a lot,” Lewis said. “Bill Belichick is one of the best coaches in the NFL. He’s under great people and handles himself in a great way.” Lewis only caught the tail end of O’Brien’s press conference. O’Brien is prohibited from contacting him and other high
Passed over, Tom Bradley releases letter of appreciation for his time at Penn State.
NOBODY
By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com
STATE COLLEGE — It had everything but the word “goodbye.” After four years as a player and 33 more as a coach, Tom Bradley faces a possible future away from Penn State. On Saturday, he authored a letter to the Penn State community, expressing his pride and admiration for his alma mater. “No matter the challenges that the university may face, Penn State will always have my support,” Bradley wrote. “This is forever my home and forever my family. It is important that we come together to support our players and our university. Now is the time to demonstrate that we are – and always will be –
him individually several times, and every time I talked to him, the more impressed I was. I think you saw it. He’s a humble guy. He has a lot of fire in his belly.” One high-profile endorsement came courtesy of his current boss in New England. “Over the course of his long coaching career, Bill O’Brien has met every personal and professional challenge head on with great passion and competitiveness,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. “I expect Bill to draw on his deep background in college
Bradley
Penn State.” Bradley, the Nittany Lions’ long-time defensive coordinator, was named interim coach on Nov. 9 after the firing
of Joe Paterno. He had applied for the full-time job but was informed Friday afternoon by acting athletic director Dave Joyner that he had not been picked to succeed Paterno. On Saturday, Joyner insisted that Bradley was seriously considered for the head job, which ultimately went to New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. “A lot of consideration,” Joyner said. “We didn’t interview a lot of people. We thought about a lot of people, we talked to a lot of people, but we didn’t officially interview a ton of people. “But Coach Bradley got a lot of
son, a great man, a great individual,” acting athletic director Dave Joyner said. “If you’ve ever talked to any players that have played here, you know how they feel about him. “I’m thrilled that Larry Johnson is staying on this staff to help this program.”
AP PHOTO
Penn State’s new football coach Bill O’Brien, poses with his wife Colleen O’Brien and their son Michael, 6, after he was introduced.
football and the NFL to continue attracting and developing top players. “For five years, Bill’s outstanding work with our quarterbacks and entire offense has led to re-
serious consideration. “Tom Bradley’s a fine person. He’s a great coach. And when I talked to him yesterday, it was expected, but he was very magnanimous. He was very gracious. He talked to me about maintaining the Penn State family.” Though defensive line coach Larry Johnson is the lone coach from Paterno’s staff confirmed to return, Joyner said that Bradley and the rest of the assistants will sit down with O’Brien this week as the new coach fills out his staff. “I’ve made that known to all of the coaches,” Joyner said. “Now, realistically, some may not be here. That’s the way life is, and they know that, and we’ve had that conversation. I was very clear that coach O’Brien wants to talk to all of them. It wasn’t that we singled Larry out. He just happened to get in line first.” But Bradley has brushed off questions about potentially returning as an assistant under a
cord-setting performances. His presence and command before our team has grown into that of a inspirational leader. This is a great match between a storied program and a old-school football coach.”
new head coach, and his remarks Saturday could be read as both a thank you to the university and a farewell letter. Some former Penn State lettermen such as Brandon Short and LaVar Arrington have expressed their displeasure at Joyner’s decision to go outside Penn State to hire Paterno’s replacement. Joyner said he expected some of the vitriol he has received “to a degree” but said he believes that attitude will begin to change. “If there’s been anything negative, people will tend to say that before they start saying positive things,” Joyner said. “So I think you’re seeing, more and more, as people think about this program and Coach O’Brien, they’re starting to say, ‘Hmm. Wait a minute. I can see what these people (were thinking).’ “And hopefully after today, you’ll see some of what we saw, a lot of what we saw, in Coach O’Brien.”
Continued from Page 1C
hot commodity, a proven track record, a name-brand to sell the program’s faithful? “Would I have liked a standing head coach? Sure,” said Nichols, who reiterated his role on the search committee was largely an academic representation. “But the pool out there of standing head coaches, it actually is not as impressive as it looks from the outside.” Here’s how it appears from the inside. Penn State couldn’t land a head-turning coach with star quality, so they turned to a guy who would save them some bucks. O’Brien’s five-year contact at $2.5 million per year ranks in the middle of the pack of Big Ten coaches.
school players until he retakes an NCAA recruiting exam. Penn State assistant Larry Johnson, the “I’m excit- only member of Paterno’s ed about it staff confirmed to be and I’m interested returning, said Saturday that he into see to call what kind tends recruits today. of offense Penn State will host most he’s going of its 2012 to run.” recruiting next Eugene Lewis class weekend in WVC standout and PSU recruit State College. Lewis made his verbal commitment in August and didn’t sway despite the upheaval in Happy Valley. Several times during the high school season he reaffirmed his pledge to the Lions. “I’m excited to talk to him and build a relationship,” Lewis said. Lewis played receiver only a handful of plays this season, catching three passes for 24 yards. As a sophomore, he caught 26 passes for 606 yards and eight touchdowns during the regular season. He is coming off a solid performance in the Offense-Defense All-American Game in Dallas, Texas. “It was good,” Lewis said. “I played wide receiver and had two catches. And I did all the punt returns, too. My first punt return I had about 20 yards on it. A lot of them I fair caught, and another I returned about 10 or 15 yards.” Lewis’ football career might have one more stop before Penn State, as the Pennsylvania roster for the Big 33 Game is scheduled to be released today.
A cost-cutting move? “There’s no such thing as a perfect coach,” reasoned Nichols. Sometimes these guys from nowhere turn out to be Andy Reid, who came out of obscurity as a Green Bay Packers assistant to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to five NFC championship games and a Super Bowl appearance. Sometimes they wind up as Charlie Weiss, the last offensive coordinator to come to college off Belichick’s New England staff before bombing at Notre Dame. “I believe in myself,” O’Brien said. He won’t have much time to earn Penn State’s faith. Paul Sokoloski is a Times Leader sports columnist. You may reach him at 970-7109 or email him at psokoloski@timesleader.com.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2012
COUNTY COUNCIL
JOE PATERNO 1926 - 2012
SPORTS SHOWCASE
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‘He still guides me’
106 jobs may be cut in county
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
But budget plan that officials OK in straw vote would not increase county taxes.
N. CAROLINA 74 N.C. STATE 55
By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES jandes@timesleader.com
WISCONSIN 57 INDIANA 50 VIRGINIA 66 BOSTON COL 49 BOSTON 91 ORLANDO 81 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
PENN STATE 77 MICHIGAN 56 NADAL OUSTS FEDERER
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were on opposite sides of the net Thursday, meeting in the semifinals of the Australian Open. And Nadal was the winner again — Nadal for the eighth time in their 10 Grand Slam matchups. The Spaniard won 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4, covering the baseline with incredible speed and hitting forehand winners from almost impossible angles. Sports, 1B
INSIDE A NEWS: Local 3A Nation & World 5A Obituaries 8A Birthdays 10A Editorial 11A B SPORTS: Scoreboard 2B Business 9B C CLASSIFIED: Funnies 14C THE GUIDE: Crossword/Horoscope Television/Movies Entertainment
WEATHER Jack Swiderski Rain, ending after 1 p.m. High 47. Low 35. Details, Page 10B
AP PHOTOS
Jay Paterno, center, asks the crowd to hold hands and say the Lord’s Prayer during a memorial service for his father, former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center on Thursday.
Cefalo shares his memories of mentor
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By GENARO C. ARMAS and MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
zerne County legend as he was invited to speak Thursday at “A Memorial For Joe,” one final goodbye for Paterno, who died Sunday of lung cancer at age 85. Cefalo and five other Penn State lettermen – one from each decade that Paterno was a head
STATE COLLEGE — Crediting him with building not just better athletes but better men, former Penn State football stars and others paid tribute to Joe Paterno in a huge campus memorial service Thursday Among the that exposed a strong undercur- speakers rent of anger were star over his firing. athletes In a 21⁄2-hour from each gathering that capped three decade of days of mourn- Paterno’s ing on campus, career. Nike chairman and CEO Phil Knight instantly brought the near-capacity crowd of 12,000 to its feet in thunderous applause when he defended the coach’s handling of child-sex allegations leveled against a former assistant. Paterno was fired over the
See PATERNO, Page 12A
See PATERNO, Page 12A
By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com
STATE COLLEGE – Jimmy Cefalo had made up his mind. As a 17-year-old football star at Pittston Area High School, he knew exactly where he was going to play in college. And it wasn’t Penn State. Cefalo had eagerly returned home to tell his INSIDE: An parents, Charles impassioned and Gertrude, of defense, Page his decision. He 1B was surprised, A son reflects however, to find on his father, them in the Page 1B kitchen when he arrived. Sitting with Joe Paterno. As his mother ladled tomato sauce on Paterno’s pasta and his father poured the Penn State coach some of his homemade wine, Cefalo never even got the words out. “At the age of 17, Joe was at my
“I only came to realize later that he wasn’t talking about football. Hustle (in life) – something good will happen. Keep going.” Jimmy Cefalo Former Penn State star from Pittston
front door,” Cefalo said. “Pretty extraordinary for a kid from Pittston, Pennsylvania. “I never had that conversation with my mother or father about the university I was going to go to. I was a Penn Stater from that moment forward.” It was one of many stories that stood out in the mind of the Lu-
D R . J O S E P H ‘ D O C ’ M AT T I O L I
1925 -2012
Raceway owner left a legacy By ANDREW M. SEDER aseder@timesleader.com and BILL O’BOYLE boboyle@timesleader.com
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High praise, anger mix at final tribute
ONG POND – “Nobody lives forever.” Those now seemingly prophetic words were offered by Dr. Joseph Mattioli in August during what would become the final NASCAR race weekend he attended at his beloved Pocono Raceway. Mattioli, an Old Forge native who became a successful Philadelphia dentist in the 1950s before investing in a racetrack built on former spinach fields, died Thursday at the age of 86.
According to a Pocono Raceway press release, he died at Lehigh Valley Hospital near Allentown “surrounded by his loving family following a lengthy illness.” On Aug. 5, Mattioli called an impromptu press conference to announce that he had decided to resign all of his positions at the track he helped found in the 1960s and brought to prominence in the 1970s. See MATTIOLI, Page 12A
TIMES LEADER FILE PHOTO
Dr. Joseph Mattioli answers questions about the Solar Farm at Pocono Raceway on July 30, 2010.
A majority of Luzerne County Council agreed in a straw vote Thursday to support a 2012 budget amendment with no tax hike. The $118.7 million spending plan will require an estimated 106 layoffs and contains no temporary fixes, such as the use of capital fund- W H A T ’ S ing to repay N E X T debt. The Luzerne Council mem- County Counbers have been cil will hold a debating options regular meeting at 6:01 for weeks but p.m. Tuesday had to reach con- in the county sensus so Inter- Emergency im Manager Management Tom Pribula has Agency buildtime to plug fig- ing, Water Street, Wilkesures into thou- Barre. sands of categories that make up the county budget. The council plans to unveil the amended budget on Feb. 2, hold a public hearing on Feb. 9 and officially adopt the spending plan on Feb. 14. Pribula said the scenario will See JOBS, Page 4A
Hillary Clinton stepping off the ‘high wire’ Secretary of state says she’s not staying in government should Obama win 2nd term. By MATTHEW LEE Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says she wants to step off the “high wire of American politics” after two decades and is again tamping down speculation that she might stay in government if President Barack Obama wins a second term. Clinton told State Department employ- Clinton ees on Thursday that she is ready for a rest and is paying no attention to the Republican presidential candidate debates. She said she wants to find out just how tired she is after working flat out as first lady, senator, aspiring presidential candidate and finally the top U.S. diplomat. “I have made it clear that I will certainly stay on until the president nominates someone and that transition can occur” if Obama wins re-election, she told a town hall meeting. “But I think after 20 years, and it will See CLINTON, Page 4A
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PATERNO Continued from Page 1A
coach – paid tribute to their former mentor before more than 12,000 people at the school’s Bryce Jordan Center. Their stories were joined by a eulogy by the coach’s son, Jay Paterno, as well as scathing comments by Nike co-founder and AP PHOTO Chairman Phil Knight toward state and university administra- Phil Knight adjusts the microtors in reference to the investiga- phones before he speaks. tion into Jerry Sandusky. Cefalo, a standout at Pittston Ar- schedule. Paterno, he said, summoned ea, Penn State and with the Miami Dolphins in the NFL, said he was him to his office upon seeing it and honored to speak for an entire dec- chastised him, saying that the ade of Lions players – the 1970s. course load was “beneath” him. When Paterno preached endCefalo now hosts a morning news lessly in practice show on WIOD-AM about “hustle,” Cein Miami. He spoke of how, in his falo said, “I only “I’m 55,” Cefalo said. “I met him when final semester at Penn came to realize later that he wasn’t I was 17. And he still State, after his playtalking about footguides me.” ing career was over, In a speech of he intentionally put in ball. Hustle (in life) – something good about 13 minutes, Cefalo reflected on the for a light class sched- will happen. Keep going.” laughs and lessons he ule. Paterno, he said, That, Cefalo said, had from Paterno, summoned him to his was the impact Papausing at one point terno had on him to jokingly ask for the office upon seeing it and the rest of the audience’s forgive- and chastised him, ness if he peeked be- saying that the course state – everything he did off the field. hind him while talk- load was “beneath” “He took the sons ing. of coal miners,” said “I was worried they him. Cefalo, pausing to were going to put control his emoJoe’s picture” on the screens hanging in the back- tions. “And he took the sons of ground, he said. “And I never did steel mill workers. And of farmers really well when he was looking in rural Pennsylvania. All with the over my shoulder. I was always ve- idea that we could come together and we would do it the right way. ry nervous.” Often, his message drew laughs. The Paterno way.” At the end of his speech, Cefalo Cefalo talked about how Paterno famously recruited mothers more cited one of Paterno’s most wellworn sayings that “You always get than he did players. On that trip to his Pittston better or worse. You never stay the home, Cefalo joked that Paterno same.” “I did today what I do every ignored him, instead remarking that his mother’s pasta was better day,” Cefalo said. “I asked myself, than that of “Mrs. Cappelletti” – ‘Is today going to be better, or is it the mother of Penn State’s 1973 going to be worse?’ And I answered, ‘It’s going to be a little bit Heisman Trophy winner John. He spoke of how, in his final se- worse.’ Because of the sadness of mester at Penn State, after his not having Joe here. “But the world is a whole lot betplaying career was over, he intentionally put in for a light class ter for having known him.”
AP PHOTO
Sue Paterno is given a standing ovation and is embraced as she enters the memorial service for her husband, Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. A capacity crowd of more than 12,000 packed the Bryce Jordan Center to pay tribute to Paterno, who died Sunday.
AP PHOTO
Scott Paterno, son of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, becomes emotional during the memorial service.
PATERNO
family. Among the speakers were star athletes from each decade of Paterno’s career, including Michael Robinson, who played from 2002 to 2005, quarterback Todd Blackledge from the 1980s and Jimmy Cefalo, a star in the 1970s. All three went on to play in the NFL. Chris Marrone, whose playing career at Penn State was cut short by injuries, said Paterno molded him into a young man with “the strength to overcome any challenge, any adversity.” Paterno was fired by the trustees Nov. 9 after he was criticized for not going to police in 2002 when he was told that a former
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PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
A message of thanks to former PSU football coach Joe Paterno rests at the base of a large cardboard cutout in coach Paterno’s likeness at the Bierly Auditorium on the campus of PSU WilkesBarre in Lehman Township.
MATTIOLI Continued from Page 1A
“Fifty years went by damn fast,” Mattioli said at the time, while sitting in a wheelchair and trying to speak above the roar of the stock cars racing by just outside the infield media center. Mattioli said age was a factor, but so too was recognition that his grandchildren had learned the business and he felt comfortable handing the reins to them. Mattioli has been good for NASCAR, credited with introducing the sport to the Northeastern United States and growing its popularity on Wall Street. The first NASCAR race at Pocono was run in 1974, three years after Indy cars made their debut at the Long Pond race track. The sport also was very good for Mattioli. “We started here with $48 in our account and we’ve built a track with a net worth of $600 million,” he said when announcing his retirement. Loss to community State Rep. Mario Scavello, RMount Pocono, who has known Mattioli for 28 years, said the loss to his family and the community is a big one. “He was a wealthy man but he was very kind and very generous. He was always there to help the community,” Scavello said. Mattioli’s generosity away from the track has been notewor-
AP PHOTO
Sue Paterno, right, embraces Susan Welch, dean of Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts, after the memorial service.
episode two months ago. “This much is clear to me: If there is a villain in this tragedy, it lies in that investigation and not in Joe Paterno’s response,” Knight said. Paterno’s widow, Sue, was among those rising to their feet. Later, Paterno’s son Jay received a standing ovation when he declared: “Joe Paterno left this world with a clear conscience.” The ceremony at the university basketball arena was filled with lavish praise that probably
would have embarrassed Paterno, who died of lung cancer Sunday at 85 after racking up more wins — 409 — than any other major-college football coach and leading his team to two national championships in his 46 seasons. He was saluted for his commitment to sportsmanship, loyalty, teamwork, character, academics and “winning with honor.” He was called a good father, a good husband, a good neighbor, a good friend, a good teacher. Only one member of the university administration — dean of the college of liberal arts — and no one from the Board of Trustees spoke at the memorial, arranged primarily by the Paterno
member of his coaching staff, Jerry Sandusky, had been seen sexually assaulting a boy in the showers at the football complex. Sandusky was arrested in November and is awaiting trial on charges he sexually assaulted 10 boys over a 15-year span. As the scandal erupted, Pennsylvania’s state police commissioner said that Paterno may have met his legal duty but not his moral one to go to police. Penn State president Graham Spanier was also fired in the fallout. A public viewing for Paterno was held on campus on Tuesday and Wednesday, and he was buried Wednesday afternoon at a State College cemetery.
thy. His contributions in the region include $1 million for the trauma center at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, $1.5 million to Pocono Medical Center for the Mattioli Emergency Wing, $1 million to East Stroudsburg University and $1 million for the downtown Stroudsburg beautification project. He and his wife, Rose, also provided annual scholarships to top students at the four Monroe County high schools. Honored in Wyoming On July 4, he and Rose were honored at the commemoration ceremonies of the Battle of Wyoming at the Wyoming Monument in Wyoming. The Mattiolis, who were married for 63 years, donated $100,000 toward the monument restoration project after he heard about the 2009 lightning strike that caused severe damage to the historic marker. Marcella Starr, president of the Wyoming Monument Association, remembers the day she stood in the Mattiolis’ kitchen as Doc and Rose signed the check for $100,000 to restore the monument. “He and Mrs. Mattioli are the saviors of the monument,” Starr said. “There was no way we would have been able to repair the monument during such difficult economic times.” When told of Mattioli’s passing, Starr said, “What a loss. What a loss of our community.” Carl Wilgus, president and
PETE G. WILCOX FILE PHOTO/TIMES LEADER
NASCAR race driver Ryan Newman with the Mattiolis.
chief executive officer of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, lamented the loss of a Pocono “icon.” “Doc believed in the Pocono Mountains brand and was truly an advocate for bringing visitors to the region. He embraced the community, inspired so many and philanthropically supported the entire Pocono Mountains and NASCAR communities. His vision and legacy will live on.” In 2009, Mattioli received the Philanthropic Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for his contributions to local civic organizations, hospitals, schools and charities. “The entire NASCAR family is saddened by the loss of a true icon in our sport, Dr. Joe Mattio-
BILL TARUTIS FILE PHOTO/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Wyoming Commemorative Association President Frank Conyngham, left, and Wyoming Monument Association President Marcella Starr present a platter to the Mattiolis in appreciation of their donation in July.
li,” NASCAR Chairman Brian France said in a statement. “Doc’s relationship with my family reaches three generations, all the way back to my grandfather. His passion for the sport will live on in the hearts of his family and our fans. “His contributions to our sport are widespread. We have lost a great leader -- and a great person.
NASCAR offers its deepest condolences to his wife, Rose, and the entire Mattioli family.” Mattioli is survived by his wife, Dr. Rose Mattioli, daughters, Louie and Michele, and son, Joseph Mattioli III, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In a feature story in The Times Leader in July 2010, the Mattio-
lis were asked what they would want people they have never met to know about them. “We’re just ordinary people,” Rose said. “We like people and we want to help where we can. Life is so beautiful if you give it a chance.” Service arrangements for Mattioli were incomplete at press time.
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THE TIMES LEADER
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LET THE GAMES BEGIN London ready to put on a show
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Penn State head football coach Bill O’Brien speaks during the Big Ten NCAA college football media day, Thursday in Chicago.
Coach and players countering the punches Nittany Lions are taking penalties and making most of the opportunities.
By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com AP PHOTO
London, a world city that needs no introduction, but scarred by terror bombings, riots and economic crisis since picked as Olympic host seven years ago, will launch the 2012 summer games with a spectacular opening ceremony today.
Cast of thousands set for ceremony
By JOHN LEICESTER AP Sports Writer
LONDON — London, blow our minds. The world city that needs no introduction but could do with an Olympic-sized pick-me-up in the midst of economic recession launches the 2012 Summer Games with a spectacular opening ceremony Friday that faces a unique challenge: to be as memorable as Beijing’s planet-wowing, money-no-object extravaganza of 2008. The British capital will set itself apart, as it has so often down the centuries, by being different. Beijing’s curtain raiser featured 2,008 pounding drummers and a cauldron-lighter who seemed to float in the air of the Bird’s Nest stadium. London will have 70 sheep, 12 horses, 10 chickens
“Whether it is sport, art, literature, history, contribution to world events, there are so many things to celebrate about our country that packing all that in to these hours must be a pretty tough task. But I am confident they have done a good job.” British Prime Minister David Cameron
and nine geese — recruited by Oscarwinning director Danny Boyle along with a cast and crew of 10,000 to present a quirky, humorous and vibrant vision of quintessential Britain, its history and future. London is not the same as it was when the games were awarded seven years ago. Its serenity and confidence were shaken by riots last year and by terror bombings on the transport network that killed 56 people the day af-
ter the International Olympic Committee picked London over Paris in 2005. In London, the Olympic Games have come to a sprawling, historic metropolis that lives and breathes sports, with a population more global and diverse than perhaps any other, but which still feels it needs the Olympic spotlight to secure its future as one of the world’s
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• The Games officially open with today’s opening cermonies. The event is expected to feature live farm animals, a cricket game, nurses and Paul McCartney. James Bond may even make an appearance. • Archery is the only sport in action today with preliminary competition in men’s and women’s individual and team events.
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Opening Ceremonies, 7:30 p.m., NBC
INSIDE American cyclist Taylor Phinney following in a family tradition. 5B
See LONDON, Page 5B
Female athletes taking the spotlight this time By PAUL HAVEN Associated Press
AP PHOTO
Malaysian shooting athlete Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi, who is eight months pregnant, is one of many female athletes grabbing the limelight at the 2012 London Olympics.
en’s sports. Cynics say Olympic organizers have been touting the coming of gender equality for years, but 2012 does bring several important crossovers. For the first time, there are more women on the U.S. team than men, 269 to 261, and Russia’s team, which is nearly as big, is also majority-female. Saudi Arabia has sent its first two women to the competition, and the games feature what in all likelihood is the most pregnant athlete to
LONDON — Claressa “T-Rex” Shields gives new meaning to the term girl power. The 17-year-old middleweight from Flint, Mich., is known for powerful combos and lightning footwork, and is the youngest competitorinwomen’sboxing,aneweventat the London Olympics. She’s also one of a crowd of female athletes grabbing the limelight at the 2012 Games, which are quickly shaping up as a watershed for wom- See FEMALES, Page 5B
L O C A L C O L L E G E AT H L E T I C S
$19 million later Misericordia upgrade project nearly ready By JIMMY FISHER For The Times Leader
which includes new turf, new bleachers, a new scoreboard, upgraded lights, a press box and a new laid out track course. It will not only be the playing site for the new Cougars football team, but it will continue to serve as the home field for soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse. The upgrading process on Mangelsdorf Field began May 7 and is estimated to be completed no later than August 1. CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK/FOR THE TIMES LEADER Misericordia Athletic Director Dave Martin said the new bleachers on the Misericordia University Athletic Director Dave Martin walks through new
DALLAS – Misericordia University has undergone major changes over this past year. Some include the addition of its new sports facilities and upgrades of older playing fields. With the arrival of a new football program for this coming fall season, the university complimented its new program with a new Mangelsdorf Field. The primary playing field for Misericordia University since 2002 is currently undergoing a transformation, See COUGARS, Page 4B
lockers in the John and Mary Metz field house which is part of the $19 million sports renovation at the school.
CHICAGO – Battered by the NCAA. Assailed by pundits. Raided by other teams. What’s next? “Penn State’s taken a lot of punches over the past six months,” coach Bill O’Brien “Obviously said. “It’s time to punch we’re upback. “Life’s about adversity set (about and how you deal with it. the NCAA What do you do with it? Do you just say, ‘Aw, well, this sanctions). happened to us. What are we But these going to do now?’ No! You punch back. That’s the way I are the was brought up, and that’s new rules what we’re going to continwe play ue to do next.” And with that, O’Brien, under. And joined by three of his players we’re gonat Big Ten media days in Chicago, set the tone for the Nit- na succeed tany Lions going forward. under Told of his coach’s “punch back” directive, senior line- them.” backer Michael Mauti wast- PSU linebacker ed no time throwing some Michael Mauti haymakers. “Well, it’s about time,” Mauti said. “It’s about time. Because somebody’s gotta stand up for us and let the people know what’s going on here. The public’s not seeing what’s going on inside these walls (with the football team). … “Obviously we’re upset (about the NCAA sanctions). But these are the new rules we play under. And we’re gonna succeed under them.” After taking some time to collect themselves after the NCAA delivered its judgment See PUNCH, Page 4B
Happy Valley turning angry By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com
CHICAGO – A new shirt went on sale in some stores in State College this week. A few players have already bought it and snapped some pictures of themselves wearing it. Dark blue T-shirts with white lettering that read “WE ARE... PISSED OFF.” Right now, the anger in, uh, Happy Valley is directed at coaches from opposing schools who are looking to recruit Penn State players to their programs, a strange situation signed off on by the NCAA in light of the sanctions placed on the Nittany Lions. Needless to say, the topic was at the forefront of Big Ten media days in Chicago on Thursday, as head coaches from every team in the league addressed the issue. Most said they would not actively chase Penn State players and would only accept a transfer if the player contacted them first. Some took more definitive stands. Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema and Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald made a point of saying they would not recruit any members of the Lions roster. “That’s just not how we do things,” FitzSee ANGRY, Page 4B
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P E N N S TAT E F O O T B A L L
Changes could be coming for Penn State uniforms Although coach is coy on N O T E B O O K topic, one possibility is names conference call with parents of on jerseys. players. “We’ve got a group of
By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com
CHICAGO – As it turns out, there is actually a topic that can get Penn State fans’ minds off of NCAA sanctions. Coach Bill O’Brien hinted Thursday that the team may make changes to its iconic uniforms, though he did not elaborate. “There’s a lot of discussions going on with our football team right now,” said O’Brien, who was responding to a Reading Eagle report that he mentioned uniform changes while on a
young men there that are sticking together. And there’s changes that have taken place at Penn State over the last six months that are reflected already. “It’s a new era of Penn State football. And some of the changes, people will have to wait and see until September, on Sept. 1 (at the season opener).” The report mentioned discussions of putting names on the back of the jerseys, which would be a significant departure from the norm for the program. Junior guard John Urschel played coy when asked about what might happen. “That’s between us and Coach
O’Brien,” Urschel said with a smile. “You’ll have to wait and see.” If the team does make any changes, it would be a radical change in viewpoint for O’Brien, who was forceful and adamant about not touching the “black shoes and basic blues” this offseason. Asked to explain the shift in thinking, O’Brien replied simply, “I reserve the right to change my mind.” Redd alert Though many prominent Penn State players have come out and announced their commitment to stick with the Nittany Lions, tailback Silas Redd remains in limbo. Redd, who was originally
scheduled to come out to Chicago this week for interviews at Big Ten media days, instead sat down with USC coaches at his home in Connecticut on Thursday, according to ESPN. The Trojans and coach Lane Kiffin have been in dogged pursuit of Penn State’s leading rusher since the NCAA allowed opposing schools to contact Lions players in the wake of sanctions. Redd, who may visit the USC campus this weekend, has not made any decisions, according to his father, Silas Redd Sr. O’Brien would not address Redd’s status on Thursday. It is not a choice that Redd is taking lightly, according to one of his roommates, defensive tackle Jordan Hill. “I definitely see it’s killing
him, because he wants to make a decision,” Hill said. “The best thing was for him to get out of here, go home and meet with his family and talk this over. “He knows everything that’s going on. He knows what he means to the team. You never want to put yourself above the team, but in certain cases you have to do what’s best for yourself.” Hill, Urschel and linebacker Michael Mauti all said Thursday they would not begrudge Redd -- or any of their teammates -for deciding to transfer out of what has become a very difficult situation. “I told him, ‘No matter where you go, you’re still going to be at my wedding. You’re still going to be my boy, and I will support you 100 percent,’ ” Hill said.
“Say he goes to a different school, I’ll tune in on the TV, and if he’s not doing well, I’m going to tell him to pick your game up. Just as if he’s on the sideline with us.” Redd is the highest-profile member of the team whose future remains up in the air. Another prominent player considering his options is Anthony Fera, the team’s primary placekicker, punter and kickoff man. Fera, a Texas native, has reportedly contacted Mack Brown’s staff at Texas, according to multiple reports out of his home state. If Fera were to leave, Penn State would rely on Alex Butterworth for punts and Sam Ficken for field goals.
PUNCH
the practice field. “I was fired up at the end of that deal. I’m fired up now,” Mauti said. “People want to tear us apart, and we’re not letting that happen. Because this program means too much to too many people to let that happen.” The Lions face a postseason ban and severe scholarship reductions for four-year spans because of the sanctions. In announcing the penalties, NCAA President Mark Emmert admonished Penn State for having a “football-first culture.” “For someone to say we put football ahead of education is lying to you,” Mauti said. While it wasn’t exactly the death penalty, the sanctions will in all likelihood prevent the Lions from being competitive on the field in the coming years. Not that O’Brien, who has yet to coach his first game at Penn State, was about to use that as an excuse. “I’m so tired of hearing Penn State is dead," O’Brien said. "It’s alive. We’re going to be alive and kicking on Sept. 1." That would be the date of the 2012 season opener against Ohio
at Beaver Stadium. That game is still on because the Lions avoided a multi-year death penalty by accepting the massive sanctions, Penn State President Rodney Erickson said Wednesday. On Thursday, O’Brien said repeatedly that it was time for the university, the team, the alumni and the fans to “turn the page." It won’t be easy, on the field or off of it. First O’Brien must hold together his current roster. The coach estimated Thursday that more than 50 players had already told him they were returning. Mauti said the entire starting defense will return. “It shows you what Penn State’s all about,” O’Brien said. “It shows you what these kids are all about. This is a prideful bunch of kids. These are tough kids. People that aren’t on the inside of that program right now have no idea about the toughness. “It’s confirmation to me as to why I took this job. We’ve got bright kids. Kids that want to stick together. Now I know that maybe some kids will leave. I understand that. But right now we’ve got plenty that have said they’re staying.”
“We only talked to individuals that would be willing to meet with us,” Beckman said. “We did not go after them. They had the opportunity to come to us if they would like to come to us and speak to us. And that’s how we handled the situation.” Like with high school recruits, coaches are not allowed to mention their targets by name. A report on Tuesday said that Lions redshirt freshman lineman Ryan Nowicki was looking into transferring to Illinois. “As far as other schools on campus, I have no idea what schools were on campus, nor do I care,” Penn State coach Bill O’Brien said. When asked if he was surprised about other coaches flying into town, O’Brien responded, “Nothing surprises me.” Needless to say, the entire situation does not sit well with many members of his team. Senior linebacker Michael Mauti sounded off on the NCAA’s decision to waive normal contact rules for other schools toward Penn State players. A free agency period has essentially been created to allow players to escape the sanctions placed on the Lions by playing at another school immediately. Mauti said it has only created chaos. “For them to say that it’s helping us, for them to say they’re doing us a service by allowing us to transfer with no rules, no holds
barred -- it’s a... a... I’m going to choose my word carefully,” Mauti said, visibly angry. “It’s a joke. It’s an absolute joke. And there’s been coaches hounding our players, man. Like 10-12 calls a day. ‘Come out and visit. Come out. Come here.’ “They’re on our campus. Outside of our apartments. Outside of our classrooms. To me it’s just not... it doesn’t seem right.” Mauti said Big Ten coaches have also been around the area looking to get in contact with Lions players. “If you’re going to wish us well (at the media event in Chicago), then try and take our kids, then I got a problem with that,” Mauti said. The outspoken linebacker said he did not blame the opposing coaches or teams themselves, admitting that they’re operating fully under the guidelines set by the NCAA. But it still didn’t sit right with him. “At this point in time, the fact is there’s no rules,” said Mauti, who said he has been personally contacted by 40 schools looking to recruit him. “That door has been opened … and you don’t have to have ethics in this game. “That’s the game (the NCAA) created. I mean, I’m not a coach. But there’s the right way to do things, and then there’s the other way.”
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CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK PHOTOS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Misericordia University Athletic Director Dave Martin talks about Tambur Field, the new baseball facility, which is part of the $19 million sports renovation at the school.
COUGARS Continued from Page 1B
home side will seat 1,000 people and the visiting side will seat 500. The cost for the upgrades to Mangelsdorf Field cost a total of $700,000. Located next to Mangelsdorf Field is the new John & Mary Metz Field House, named after Board Chairman John Metz and his wife Mary who helped make the field house possible with their donations. The building of the new field house, according to Martin, began a year ago. The field house, which cost a total of $4.1 million, will be the new athletic facility to all of the fall and spring sports for Misericordia. The Anderson Center will continue to serve as the home for the winter sports. Each sport will have its own locker room and it will also hold locker rooms for visiting teams. Martin said the ideas of the renovations and field house began with the idea of the new football program. “This was all thought about when we made the decision to start football,” said Martin. “There were some things that needed to be done (anyway). We knew that we needed a larger seating area, we knew that we needed a field house, because we didn’t have a facility out here.” Another upgrade in the athletic department is the new Cougars’ baseball diamond. Tambur Field, located next to the field house, is named after community members Robert and Virginia Tambur and their son, as well as Misericordia Council member Robert Tamburro. The construction of the new field Martin said began last fall and was completed in April. The original baseball field took damage during the harsh rainfall from spring of 2011, forcing the men’s baseball team to relocate to Roosevelt Field in Swoyersville for much of that season and all of the 2012 season. Now the Cougars’ baseball team will return home for their 2013 season on a new field that Martin said will be no different to take care of like any other field. “There’s fertilization that
on the program on Monday morning, O’Brien and his players are starting to speak their mind. On Wednesday, the Big Ten said Penn State had withdrawn its three-player contingent for the media event. That changed Thursday morning as O’Brien had Mauti, defensive tackle Jordan Hill and guard John Urschel freshen up after an early workout, grab their suits and fly out to Chicago for the two-day trip. Hill and Urschel were originally scheduled to attend. Mauti took the place of Silas Redd, who is seriously considering a transfer, possibly to USC. Mauti didn’t disappoint. On Tuesday night, he and fellow senior Mike Zordich talked with O’Brien in his office about the players getting their message out in support of the program. “We were getting kicked in the teeth out there” in public and in the media, Mauti said. After getting the green light, they filmed the statement out on
ANGRY Continued from Page 1B
The Misericordia University football team will run onto Manglesdorf Field this fall through these doors onto a newly reconstructed surface and through new bleachers as part of the school’s new $19 million sports initiative.
needs to take place and there’s aeration that needs to take place,” said Martin. “All those things have to happen… but we’ll put it to bed at the end of this fall season, survive the winter, and when spring rolls around we’ll groom it and get it back to where it needs to be to play.” In an effort to prevent baseball field damage, Martin said they have a tarp to help protect the field from harsh rain conditions. On the road these past two seasons, the baseball team still managed to put together backto-back Freedom Conference titles, a feat Martin said he will hope to see repeated and improved on with the return of baseball to Misericordia campus. Mangelsdorf Field, Tambur Field, and the John & Mart Metz Field House are located behind the Misericordia dorm buildings McHale and Guildea. According to Martin, the once wooded land was originally not for sale when purchased in 2002. “We were land-locked for the most part,” Martin said. “This was the only land that we could possibly purchase and we needed more field space. (Misericordia President) Dr. (Michael) MacDowell was able to make contact, and work his magic and work it out.” Another upgraded field to Misericordia is the Mary Ellen “Mac” McGeehan Field, named after 1946 Misericordia graduate Mary Ellen “Mac” McGeehan. The field made a transition from grass to turf. Martin said
the resurfacing began late fall of 2011 and was competed earlier this year in the spring and it will serve as a practice field for fall and spring sports as well as an extra playing field. The upgraded fields and the new field house, added together with the addition of Michael and Tina MacDowell Hall, located at the original site of the baseball diamond; cost Misericordia a total of $19 million. Martin said it was all money well spent. “It needed to happen,” Martin said. “With our move to the MAC Conference in 2008 we knew that we needed to upgrade facilities and do some work out in Mangelsdorf Field.” Martin continued by saying that everyone in the athletic department from the coaches down to the players appreciates the new upgrades and will enjoy them. “I think everyone’s thrilled,” said Martin. “We’ve had great success in the MAC and our coaches work very hard. We’re very fortunate that we have an administration that understands the role that athletics plays on a college campus such as ours.” Thanks somewhat to the new football program Misericordia will be welcoming 500 freshman this year, the largest freshman class in the school’s history. The athletic department will have 500 student-athletes this year, including 99 reporting for football camp this coming fall. Football players will report to campus August 11, with the remaining fall sports reporting August 17.
gerald said. “I saw a group of Penn State players walk out of a meeting (Wednesday morning) at their facilities and address the media and talk strongly about what they’re going to do,” Bielema said. “And for me personally … I’m going to be their biggest fan for every week of the year for the guys that stay there and stick it through. “My hat’s off to the coach and all the players staying strong.” Other coaches left the door open to aggressively pursue Penn State players. “The NCAA has established the rules and the guidelines and … as long as we’re compliant, we’re going to exercise every opportunity we can to enhance our own football team,” Purdue’s Danny Hope said when asked about recruiting Lions. Illinois caused the biggest stir on Wednesday when the Illini sent eight assistant coaches to State College for the purpose of recruiting. New Illini coach Tim Beckman said his coaches did not go on campus, but set up shop at “two establishments” in town and called players to let them know they were there.
NFL
Vilma court hearing ends with no decision The Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — After Jonathan Vilma and seven witnesses testified Thursday that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell got his facts wrong in the bounty scandal, a federal judge decided against making an immediate ruling on whether the suspended Saints’ linebacker could temporarily return to work. Regardless of the outcome, the hearing gave Vilma and several current and former teammates, as well as Saints assistant
head coach Joe Vitt, a chance to explain why they believe NFL investigators “misconstrued” evidence gathered in their bounty investigation and incorrectly concluded that the Saints had a program in place that offered cash bonuses for tackles that injured opponents. “Everything I’ve worked for has been basically thrown down the toilette,” Vilma said when asked about the harm his bounty suspension has done to both his pro career and charitable
work that includes building schools in Haiti. “It hurts. It’s tough to swallow because it’s not who I am.” Vilma has asked U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan to impose a temporary restraining order against the NFL while his lawsuit against Goodell proceeds. Vilma’s suit accuses the commissioner of defamation and also asks Berrigan to permanently overturn Goodell’s decision to suspend Vilma for the entire 2012 season.
User: jsoprano Time: 11-17-2012
22:29 Product: Times_Leader PubDate: 11-18-2012 Zone: Main Edition: Main_Run PageName: sports_f PageNo: 1 C
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The emotional aftermath behind record-filled victory Mauti’s knee injury leads to tears all around By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com
AP PHOTO
Michael Mauti (42) follows Penn State running back Michael Zordich (9) off the field on crutches after a 45-22 win over Indiana. Mauti was injured on a play in the first quarter.
STATE COLLEGE -- Michael Zordich, dedicated fullback, cleared the path for his friend after the game. His helmet off and extended out in front of him, Zordich waded through the crowd making sure there was plenty of space for this two-man convoy to reach the rest of the team. Michael Mauti followed slowly behind him. He had stood beside Zordich four months ago on a field just around the corner from here as the two promised to keep Penn State football alive.
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tened as the student section stopped a “Let’s-Go-Li-ons” cheer midway through, quickly changing the verse. “Mi-chael-Mau-ti! Mi-chaelMau-ti!” The senior linebacker began to tear up. He would be one of many over the next hour. Mauti’s injury -- the exact severity is still unknown, according to coach Bill O’Brien -- lingered over an afternoon that saw Matt McGloin cement his place as one of the most prolific players in Penn State history. McGloin threw for a career-
He needed crutches to follow Zordich to the end. His left knee injured, perhaps seriously, Mauti reached the rest of his team following a 4522 drubbing of Indiana to sing the alma mater. Standing in front of the crowd in the corner of the end zone, the players lis- See PSU, Page 6C
Football/Inside Third-ranked Notre Dame remained undefeated by topping Wake Forest. 7C UCLA finally tops archrival USC. 7C
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
PIAA FIELD HOCKEY
GOLDEN COMETS
Dawgs just can’t handle 5-wide set Abington Heights, using five receiver format, too much for Berwick. By JOHN ERZAR jerzar@timesleader.com
BERWICK – It seemed like a perfect scenario for Berwick on Saturday afternoon. It ended up being an imperfect result. Abington Heights’ offense hadn’t scored in its last nine quarters, but once the Comets got a jolt of confidence they ABINGTON overwhelmed Berwick’s HEIGHTS staunch defense for a 4435 victory in the District 2 Class 3A championship game. BERWICK Abington (10-2) will play District 11 champion Allentown Central Catholic (7-5) at 1 p.m. next Saturday tentatively at Valley View High School in the PIAA Class 3A tournament. Berwick ended its year at 10-2. Berwick had allowed its last three opponents just one touchdown each. It surren-
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AHL
Unusual goals lead Bears win
By PAUL SOKOLOSKI psokoloski@timesleader.com
BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Crestwood’s Hannah Ackers, left, and Casey Cole hug after defeating Villa Maria Academy 1-0 to claim the PIAA Class 2A field hockey championship Saturday afternoon at the Zephyr Sports Complex in Whitehall.
Another dramatic win gives Crestwood state title By JOHN MEDEIROS jmedeiros@timesleader.com
WHITEHALL -- Crestwood standout Chandler Ackers knew her game was golden, days before the state final. And not because she’ll be wearing the black and gold of Iowa in college next season. "We’re not going to lose the rest of the year," Ackers said Tuesday night after her state semifinal-winning goal. "We’ve got one more win left. There’s no way we’re losing."
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After Saturday’s PIAA Class 2A CRESTWOOD championship game, Ackers was crying. The sobbing VILLA MARIA featured tears of joy, though, as she set up the only goal of the title game, won by her Comets 1-0 over Villa Maria on Saturday at the Zephyr Sports Complex. "I still can’t believe what happened," Ackers said Saturday. "I
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think I’m going to start crying again. These girls wanted it so bad and they played so hard. I am so proud of every one of them. They played till the end and we got the gold." It was a season that started with a split of games, and then a rainy doubleheader in Selinsgrove in which coach Elvetta Gemski became the sixth coach to reach 600 career wins. A season where they lost to an impressive Holy Redeemer squad, then avenged that loss in a division cham-
pionship playoff. And then there was drama. Lots of it. Crestwood won the District 2 title against two-time defending state champ Wyoming Seminary by a goal, then ran off four more one-goal wins in four state tournament games -each one capped by a greater flurry of excitement. "It feels so great," said Comets goaSee COMETS, Page 8C
HERSHEY - A couple of funky goals put the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in an early hole. A late lapse in the second period finished them BEARS off. Tomas Kundratek shoveled home a powerplay goal with just fourPENGUINS tenths of a second remaining in the second period Saturday and Braden Holtby stopped 23 shots as the hated Hershey Bears pushed aside the Penguins, 4-1, in a game of oddities at the Giant Center. Boyd Kane put the finishing touches on Hershey’s victory by poking home an empty-net goal with 30 seconds to play. Bears winger Garrett Mitchell put the Bears on top twice with a couple of unusu-
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Indiana .................................. 0 13 9 0 — 22 Penn State............................ 7 21 14 3 — 45 FIRST QUARTER PSU -- Allen Robinson 26-yard pass from Matt McGloin (Sam Ficken kick), 4:26. Drive: 7 plays, 91 yards, 2:46. Analysis: Penn State strikes first, but the Nittany Lions aren’t in much of a mood to celebrate. On the drive before the touchdown strike to Robinson -- who had earlier in the frame set the Penn State record for catches in a season -- Beaver Stadium went silent. Senior linebacker Michael Mauti, the heart and soul of the team, was carted off the field with a knee injury after being felled by a chop block. The defense responds by forcing a punt and the offense goes the length of the field for the score. On fourthand-3, McGloin isn’t about to play it safe, throwing it up to Robinson in single coverage. Robinson leaps over top of a defender near the sideline to bring the ball down in bounds and in the end zone for the score. On the play McGloin moved into second-place on the school’s all time passing yardage and passing touchdowns list. He also broke Penn State’s single-season record for completions. PENN STATE 7, INDIANA 0. SECOND QUARTER IU -- Mitch Ewald 26-yard field goal, 14:44. Drive: 10 plays 55 yards, 2:07. Analysis: And the scoring binge begins. With Penn State playing the pass against the throw-happy Hoosiers, Indiana comes up with a few big runs to open things up for the offense. The Lions defense holds on first-andgoal from the 9, however, and Indiana settles for the field goal. PSU 7, IU 3. IU -- Ted Bolser 2-yard pass from Cameron Coffman (Ewald kick), 13:20. Drive: 6 plays, 27 yards, 1:11. Analysis: And the Hoosiers take the lead in a split second. On the Lions’ first play after the field goal, McGloin throws a ball into a tight space toward Matt Lehman, who can’t haul it in. The pass bounces off of the big tight end and right to Indiana’s Antonio Marshall, giving the Hoosiers the ball at the Lions 27. It’s McGloin’s fifth pick of the season and the third that deflected off of his intended receiver. On first-and-goal, the Hoosiers run a nice play that opens things up for the tight end and Bolser is wide open for the score and an Indiana lead. IU 10, PSU 7. PSU -- Robinson 53-yard pass from McGloin (Ficken kick), 8:56. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:31. Analysis: One of McGloin’s shortest career throws turns into his longest career completion. McGloin dumps a pass off to Robinson in the slot, and the sophomore took advantage of an over-aggressive defense, spinning past a safety before racing for a game-changing score. McGloin tied Penn State’s career touchdown mark with the play and Robinson became just the third receiver in school history to catch 10 touchdowns in a season. PSU 14, IU 10. IU -- Ewald 44-yard field goal, 7:06. Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 1:45. Analysis: The Hoosiers waste no time throwing against the Lions’ shorthanded secondary on the ensuing drive. Ewald came on and hit a 44-yarder to make it a one-point game. A 32-yard completion to Shane Wynn sets them up before a Stephen Obeng-Agyapong sack sets them back. Ewald hits another kick to pull within a point. PSU 14, IU 13. PSU -- Robinson 10-yard pass from McGloin (Ficken kick), 2:25. Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 4:32. Analysis: And McGloin makes history. Getting in a clear rhythm, the senior from Scranton becomes Penn State’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns at 44, finding Robinson in the end zone for the third time in the half. It’s another impressive grab by Robinson -- a true sophomore -- and his second three-score game of the season. Only Bobby Engram (13) has more touchdown catches in one year. PSU 21, IU 13. PSU -- Zach Zwinak 16-yard pass from McGloin (Ficken kick), 0:31. Drive: 3 plays, 62 yards, 0:54. Drive: And McGloin isn’t done. After Gerald Hodges makes a leaping interception at the Penn State 38, the Lions score again with plenty of time to spare before halftime. McGloin hits Jesse James for a 42-yard gain down the left sideline. Two plays later he finds his tailback wide open on that same left sideline. Zwinak has issues hauling it in, however, and juggles it as he crosses the goal line. One official signals touchdown. Another says incomplete. Finally they rule a touchdown, and the call stands on replay -- the opposite outcome from last week’s key play at Nebraska. PSU 28, IU 13.THIRD QUARTER IU -- Stephen Houston 79-yard pass from Coffman (kick failed), 13:04. Drive: 1 play, 79 yards, 0:14. Analysis: The Hoosiers won’t go away quietly as their first play of the second half goes the distance. It’s a simple swing pass to the right side to the starting tailback Houston. But Hodges misses the initial tackle at the sideline and suddenly Houston has the jets on full burn. No one in the secondary can catch him until he’s right at the goal line and the Hoosiers are alive. Ewald, who had been a perfect 100-for-100 in his career on extra points, pushes attempt No. 101 wide, keeping it a two-score game. PSU 28, IU 19. IU -- Ewald 46-yard field goal, 8:34. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:03. Analysis: A bizarre quarter for Ewald continues as he recovers his own onside kick after the missed extra point as Indiana takes over. Ewald proceeds to end that drive with a miss from 55 yards out, but the Hoosiers get the ball right back thanks to a bad fumble by Zwinak -- his fourth in the last five games. This time Ewald connects to close the gap to six points. PSU 28, IU 22. PSU -- Zwinak 1-yard run (Ficken kick), 5:33. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:01. Analysis: For the second time on the day, Zwinak gets the benefit of the doubt on a play at the goal line. McGloin leads the Lions down the field, hitting Robinson for a gain of 42 and then finding Brandon Moseby-Felder for a conversion on fourth-and-10. Another catch by Moseby-Felder goes to the 1 and Zwinak checks back in for the first time since his fumble. He appears to be stuffed up the middle but manages to extend the ball over the plane for a touchdown. PSU 35, IU 22. PSU -- Michael Zordich 4-yard run (Ficken kick), 0:17. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 3:18. Another touchdown drive, another huge record for McGloin. McGloin becomes just the second quarterback in Penn State history to top 3,000 yards in a season and breaks the single-season mark in the process, edging out Daryll Clark, who had 3,003 in 13 games in 2009. Zordich gets the final touchdown of the day, taking a shot at the goal line in the process. PSU 42, IU 22. FOURTH QUARTER PSU -- Ficken 28-yard field goal, 3:56. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 6:30. Analysis: All that’s left are the stats. And McGloin nearly gets another record, extending his career-best passing day to 395 yards, just 5 yards short of 400 and the school record (Zack Mills, 399 vs. Iowa in 2002). Robinson finishes with 197 yards receiving. Both look to the sideline for one more shot at it on fourth down, but in a 20-point game, Bill O’Brien calls on his field goal unit. PSU 45, IU 22. A—90,358.
First downs ............................. Rushes-yards ......................... Passing.................................... Comp-Att-Int ........................... Return Yards .......................... Punts-Avg................................ Fumbles-Lost.......................... Penalties-Yards ..................... Time of Possession...............
Ind 23 26-24 454 33-59-2 7 6-40.0 0-0 3-11 26:14
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
PSU 24 44-151 395 22-32-1 80 5-37.6 2-1 4-25 33:46
RUSHING—Indiana, Roberts 5-28, Roundtree 4-13, Coleman 3-12, Houston 4-8, Coffman 9-(minus 17), Team 1-(minus 20). Penn St., Zwinak 29-135, Zordich 9-49, Team 1-(minus 1), McGloin 5-(minus 32). PASSING—Indiana, Coffman 33-59-2-454. Penn St., McGloin 22-32-1-395. RECEIVING—Indiana, Wynn 12-108, D.Wilson 6-78, Bolser 4-52, Hughes 3-61, Houston 2-90, Latimer 2-31, Stoner 2-20, Chester 1-7, Roberts 1-7. Penn St., Robinson 10-197, Moseby-Felder 4-42, Lehman 3-46, James 1-42, Zordich 1-27, Zwinak 1-16, Williams 1-14, Zanellato 1-11.
Receiver Robinson has been major impact By JAY MONAHAN For The Times Leader
STATE COLLEGE – Allen Robinson entered his sophomore season as an unlikely choice to supplant a bulk of Penn State’s school records. After taking over the starting receiver role in the preseason, Robinson – the same guy who caught just three passes a year ago – set the school record for most receptions in a season with 73 catches. He needed just one catch to break OJ McDuffie and Bobby Engram’s records – he caught 10. Oh, and while he was at it, he produced one of the all-time top receiving performances in program history. Robinson netted 197 receiving yards and caught three touchdowns to lead Penn State to a 45-22 victory Saturday over Indiana. “He’s at his best right now,” said his quarterback Matt McGloin, who also relished in his own record-breaking day. “And he’s got one big game left.” The Southfield, Mich. sophomore came three yards shy of the illustrious 200 plateau; however, his outing against the Hoosiers marked the fifth highest single-game performance of any Nittany Lion receiver – the best since Deon Butler’s programbest 216 yards against Northwestern in 2006. Robinson admitted the records weren’t necessarily an aspiration for him but they mean a lot to his veteran teammates and Penn State alumni. He added that he did not hear from McDuffie or Engram, but former receiver Derek Moye congratulated him and said he wished he played under coach Bill O’Brien’s pass-friendly offense. “I don’t think it means a lot (to me),” he said. “Some of the guys to come through here, some of the great receivers – for them, it definitely means a lot. To put the finishing touches on his remarkable 2012 résumé, the sophomore re-
ceiver will need another outstanding performance to add his name to more singleseason records. At 983 yards through 11 games, Robinson is102 shy of breaking Engram’s 1995 mark for receiving yardage. He also needs two more scores to tie Engram’s 1993 total of 13 touchdowns. “I was definitely coming into the season trying to make an impact,” Robinson said. “I wasn’t sure what type of impact I was going to make on the games – especially with a lot of the guys leaving, I knew I had to step up.” Robinson made his first dent in the Hoosiers’ depleted secondary in the first quarter on a nifty 26-yard touchdown catch. He turned around in the end zone and caught a McGloin pass with an Indiana defensive back Greg Heban in his face, giving the Nittany Lions their first lead of the game at 7-0. McGloin saw a blitz, O’Brien said, and checked it right away. Robinson said the Scranton native “knew it was man-to-man so he threw it up and let me make a play on the ball.” Rattling man coverages has become a common theme for McGloin’s favorite target this season. Robinson said McGloin isn’t hitting a target; instead relying on the receiver’s vertical leap to make the play. “Really he’s just throwing it up and expecting me to make a play.” McGloin added when he sees Robinson singled off, he’s going to throw to him. O’Brien credited Robinson’s basketball skills. He said Robinson was bragging during Friday’s team dinner “about alley-oop dunks and all this stuff” against one of Iowa State’s basketball players during a high school playoff game. “He is just an excellent athlete and that translates well on the football field,” O’Brien said. “He’s got hand-eye coordination, he could jump. He has the ability to lower his weight and change direction on
AP PHOTO
Penn State receiver Allen Robinson caught this pass from QB Matthew McGloin in front of Indiana’s Antonio Marshall for a touchdown. Robinson had one of the best games for a PSU wideout with 10 catches for 197 yards and three TDs.
routes.” Robinson’s second touchdown came on the longest play from scrimmage on one of the shortest thrown passes of the season. McGloin dumped the ball to Robinson, who evaded the first defense and spun around Indiana safety Mark Murphy to break open a 53-yard score to put Penn State ahead 14-10 in the second quarter. “I was able to get the ball in a space and break a couple of tackles,” he said. “I had some good blocks from the o-lineman, the receivers and the tight ends. I was able to make a twirl and get down the field.” McGloin and Robinson built a special relationship during the summer that forged the chemistry that enabled the Nittany Lions’ pass offense. “It was in the offseason,” Robinson said. “In the summer, me and Matt worked a lot.
Rare feats for QB McGloin
PSU Continued from Page 1C
A long shot to even start under Paterno, QB is rewriting the record books. By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com
STATE COLLEGE – Before 2010, a former walk-on had never started a game at quarterback in the Joe Paterno era. After 2012, Matt McGloin will leave Penn State as one of the top signal-callers to ever play at the school. The Scranton native ensured that against Indiana, rewriting more of the Nittany Lions’ record book than perhaps anyone else has in a single day. “It’s an honor,” McGloin said after throwing for 395 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-22 win. “I’m blessed to be with some of the great Penn State quarterbacks that have played here, and to be on top of the list is a great honor. It feels good when your hard work pays off. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my teammates, and the coaching staff has really brought me a long way. I give a lot of the credit to them.” Those lists that he now tops are career passing touchdowns (45), single-season completions (251) and single-season passing yards (3,071). And there could be more to come next week against Wisconsin. McGloin needs just one more passing touchdown to tie Daryll Clark for the singleseason mark (24). He had 22 career scoring strikes coming into the season. He has 6,190 yards for his career, trailing only Zack Mills (7,212). “I saw him become a better leader (this season),” coach Bill O’Brien said. “Knowledge is power, so when you know the offense and you know what to do and what everyone else is doing, you have a chance to be a good leader. And I think he’s done that this year.” About the only record McGloin didn’t break Saturday was the single-game passing mark. At 395 yards, he finished just 5 away from the record. No
He was throwing me a lot of balls, running a lot of routes, making some chemistry.” His success does not come surprising to Robinson. Even with limited touches as a freshman, he set his goals for a would-be school-record 70 receptions before the season began. “Seventy catches was a goal,” he said. “I didn’t know what this season would be like or if I was going to get it. Around 60plus catches was what I thought I’d get coming into the season, and I was able to get it.” Heban elaborated on why it’s so difficult to defend Robinson. “His routes in general and his speed. It is hard to prepare for that all week. When you have to come out here and face a guy like that with a quarterback like that, it’s a hard combination to compete against.”
AP PHOTO
Matt McGloin (11) has already set three records for a Penn State quarterback and more could be on the way with one game remaining.
Penn State quarterback has ever thrown for 400 yards in a game. McGloin winked at the mention of it. “I guess,” he said, “I’ll do it next week.” O’Brien angry at NFL talk Asked point blank if he would definitely be back to coach at Penn State next season, O’Brien wasn’t interested in giving a yes or no answer. O’Brien, who has not been connected to any NFL jobs this year, was upset that the question was asked after the game Saturday after it had been brought up earlier in the week at his press conference. “You guys gave legs last week to a story that... there’s no story there,” O’Brien said. “I’m focused on one game at a time. I’m focused on this football team. That’s not something that I even think about. “I think about that I’m the head football coach at Penn State. And I’m looking forward to getting this team ready for Wisconsin. I mean, we give legs to a story that’s not even there.” “It might be (a yes-or-no question) for you. For me, it’s Wisconsin. And this football team and this senior class. That’s where I think the questions should be directed: Indiana. The senior class. Getting ready for Wisconsin. “I’m the head football coach at Penn State. I love coaching
here. And I can’t wait to get back to work on Monday and get ready for Wisconsin.” Infirmary report Mauti’s injury dominated the conversation Saturday but he wasn’t the only one out. Penn State’s starting secondary had stayed intact for the first 10 weeks, only to be broken apart when safety Malcolm Willis went down with a knee injury last week at Nebraska. Willis was listed as day-today this week, but the junior did little in practice leading up to the game and wore sweats with his jersey when he came out for warm-ups, signaling he would be inactive. Fifth-year senior Jake Fagnano made his first career start in place of Willis. Fagnano started at strong safety while Stephen Obeng-Agyapong shifted back to free safety. Corners Stephon Morris and Adrian Amos each made their 11th straight start of the season. Morris said Willis was “not close” to being able to play. “I think it’s hard any time you lose a guy like Malcolm,” O’Brien said. “But those guys are resilient. They’re tough. Maybe there’s a bad play here and there, but they don’t let it become a bad day. They’ll rebound from plays.” Defensive tackle James Terry and tailback Curtis Dukes also missed the game with injuries.
best 395 yards and four touchdowns, blowing away a host of career and single-season school records in the process. Most prevalently, he has now thrown for more touchdowns in his career and more yards in this season than anyone ever to play for Penn State. But the mood after the game was a somber one. Coaches and players alike became emotional when discussing Mauti, his injury and his impact on the team. “I’m sick,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said, his eyes watering and his voice barely above a whisper. “I love that kid.” O’Brien was also emotional about the situation, growling when pressed for more details on Mauti’s health and refusing to declare that he had played his final snap for the Nittany Lions. Though Mauti’s official diagnosis hasn’t come in yet, teammates and players were essentially forced to deliver eulogies for his career after the game. “He’s a huge reason why we’re all here right now,” said Zordich, who helped Mauti rally the team in the days after the NCAA sanctions in July, fighting to keep players from transferring to other schools. “I’ve been fortunate to be around some special players,” said O’Brien, who went to two Super Bowls with the likes of Tom Brady. “I’ve coached the greatest. I’ve coached a Hall of Fame quarterback, Hall of Fame receivers. Great players. And (Mauti) is one of the most special players I’ve been around. “He embodies, in my opinion, what Penn State’s all about. He’s tough, grind-it-out, smart. He’s just a fantastic kid.” And he’s been through this before. Twice, in fact. So that’s why Beaver Stadium fell silent in the first quarter after an innocuous 4-yard run by the Hoosiers. Mauti was left on the ground after getting an assist on the tackle. He looked to be in serious pain. Already engaged with guard Collin Rahrig, Mauti took a shot down low from tailback D’Angelo Roberts. A chop block. “If that’s what happened, I consider that a cheap shot,” Zordich said. Mauti buckled and crashed to the grass. He had already suffered two serious knee injuries in his five years at Penn State,
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Penn State’s Michael Mauti (42) is helped off the field after being injured during the first quarter of Saturday’s win against Indiana.
tearing the ACL in his right knee in 2009 and the ACL in his left knee in 2011. Trainers rushed out to examine his left knee this time. “If I could give him one of my knees,” fellow linebacker Gerald Hodges said, “I would. He’s the heart and soul of this team.” The cart came out quickly for Mauti. Zordich offered his hand and a few words to Mauti before he was sped away. Penn State’s entire sideline responded by walking out onto the field to acknowledge his exit. “He deserves that respect,” Zordich said. Penn State (7-4, 5-2 Big Ten) responded by steamrolling the Hoosiers (4-7, 2-5), piling up season-highs in points and total yards (546). Allen Robinson caught three of McGloin’s four touchdown passes to give him 11 on the season. Zach Zwinak (135 yards) caught the other and added a second score on the ground. Zordich himself added a 4-yard touchdown at the end of the third quarter, the final one of the day. Now it’s up to Zordich and the rest of the Lions to pick themselves off the floor once again and close out the season next week against Wisconsin. “We’ve taken shots and gotten back up every time,” Zordich said. “That’s the reason why we love playing on this team. That’s the kind of team you want to be. “It’s a funny and crazy game and things are going to happen that you do not want or expect. But you just need to bounce back from it and keep going. That’s exactly what we do and that’s what (Mauti) does.” For one more game. For one last time.
User: jsoprano Time: 11-22-2012
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23:02 Product: Times_Leader PubDate: 11-23-2012 Zone: Main Edition: Main_Run PageName: sports_f PageNo: 1 B Color: C K Y M
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THE TIMES LEADER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2012
BOXING
P E N N S TAT E F O O T B A L L
Doctors: Camacho brain dead
He just kept proving everyone wrong Matt McGloin rode hard work, unbreakable faith in himself to a remarkable career.
Boxing great who was shot in the face Tuesday night remains on life support.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Famed Puerto Rican boxer Hector “Macho” Camacho is clinically brain dead, doctors said Thursday, but family members disagreed on whether to take him off life support and two of the fighter’s aunts said later that relatives had agreed to wait two more days. Dr. Ernesto Torres said doctors had no more medical Camacho tests to perform on Camacho, who was shot in the face Tuesday night. “We have done everything we could,” said Torres, who is director of the Centro Medico trauma center in San Juan. “We have to tell the people of Puerto Rico and the entire world that Macho Camacho has died, he is brain dead.” He said at a news conference Thursday morning that Camacho’s father indicated he wanted the boxer taken off life support and his organs donated, but other relatives opposed the idea. “This is a very difficult moment,” Torres said. One of the fighter’s aunts, Aida Camacho, said Thursday evening that two of Camacho’s sisters had asked to have two more days to spend with him, and other family members had agreed even though they felt it was time to give in. “I’m a person of a lot of faith, and I believe in miracles, but science has spoken,” she said. Another aunt, Blanca Camacho, also said the family had agreed to the wishes of the two sisters from New York to hold off on ending life support. But, she added, “There’s nothing left here. He’s already dead.” Most of Camacho’s relatives left the hospital by Thursday night without commenting. About a dozen people stood vigil outside. One, Orvil Miller, a singer and actor, expressed sadness about Camacho’s fate and recalled his admiration for the fighter’s flamboyance.
UP NEXT
By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com
By DANICA COTO Associated Press AP PHOTO
After starting his career has a walk-on, Matt McGloin will walk out onto the Beaver Stadium field on Saturday as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in Penn State history.
For Bill O’Brien, the moment came back in spring practice. The moment when Matt McGloin had him convinced that he would be a successful quarterback came not on the field, but in a meeting room. Some seven months later, the play that O’Brien asked McGloin to draw up was still embedded in his memory.
Wisconsin at Penn State 3:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN2
H.S. FOOTBALL
Zapoticky gets a kick out of win
Griffin III lights up Cowboys
Dallas QB shows off strong arm and gets to boot PATs in annual UNICO Classic.
By JOHN ERZAR jerzar@timesleader.com
QB throws for four touchdowns as Washington defeats Dallas. By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas — Robert Griffin III raised his fists, took a knee for a quick prayer, jumped up and pointed to the sky. That’s the routine on touchdown passes for the Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor, and he got to do it four times in his impressive return to Texas. Griffin III threw for 311 yards and WashingREDSKINS ton built a huge halftime lead against Dallas before holding on for a 3831 victory that conjured COWBOYS memories for some of a rally that helped make Cowboys vs. Redskins on Thanksgiving famous. “He’s kind of like ‘Cool Hand Luke,”’ Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said. “He doesn’t get too upset about anything.” Griffin made the Cowboys look like an Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) scrambles out of the
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pocket in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Strasen)
RUN FOR THE DIAMONDS
Newcomers capture top spots in Thanksgiving Day race Canadian man, State College woman hold of reigning champs in Berwick race. By ROBERT MINER For The Times Leader
BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Derek Nakluski of Kitchner, Ont., ran to a victory in Thursday’s Run for the Diamonds.
BERWICK – The 103rd running of the nine-mile Run for the Diamonds on Thanksgiving morning proved to be a good day for competitors running for the first time, while last year’s male and female winners had to settle for second-place finishes. Derek Nakluski, a Canadian who ran in college for High Point University in North Carolina, led a field of over 1,700 runners,
the front, the coverage, the protection, where it was supposed to go. Things (reporters) wouldn’t know. These are football things. “I’ll never forget it. It was – bang. I just knew at that point that we had a kid that was working and wanted to be the starting quarterback.” So began the greatest statistical season for a quarterback in Penn State history. McGloin has more yards (3,066), completions (251) and attempts (409) in 2012 than anyone before him. He can add to his school records on Saturday when
“Gun Trips Right 64 Special H Sneak,” the Penn State coach said, rattling it off as he would his own phone number. “He drew it up within about three seconds. Neatly,” O’Brien said. “And he knew the read (and) what everyone did. He drew up See MCGLOIN, Page 7B
N AT I O N A L F O O T B A L L L E A G U E
See NFL, Page 7B
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For complete results of Thursday’s race, go to www.times leader.com
the last mile en route to the finish with a good, strong kick. I’m excited about the win.” Joslyn said that he went out hard right from the start – a strategy that he thought was the right approach to use for a long distance runner like himself. “Normally, the faster the pace, the better for me,” said Joslyn, who ran for State University of New York at Cortland. “But (Nakluski) was just too fast for me here today.” Karaleigh Millhouse proved to be too fast for last year’s female BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER champ, Katie O’Regan, as well. Millhouse, of State College, Karaleigh Millhouse, of State
breaking the tape in 45 minutes and 51 seconds, holding off second-place finisher and last year’s champ, C. Fred Joslyn, of East Syracuse, N.Y., who finished 11 seconds behind. “I took the lead, just after the first mile,” said Nakluski. “I increased my lead on the hill (a 1.6to 1.7-mile punishing climb that begins just after two miles into the race) to about 75 meters. I was able to fight off (Joslyn) over See DIAMONDS, Page 4B
College, was the top female finisher in Thursday’s race.
WEST PITTSTON – There’s a reason why Ivy League and Patriot League schools are seeking Dallas quarterback Ryan Zapoticky. And it has nothing to do with his kicking ability. Neither did it factor in the strong-arm signalcaller being named the MVP of the UNICO All-Star Classic at Wyoming Area’s Jake Sobeski Stadium on Wednesday Inside night. • Weekend Zapoticky threw three predictions. 4B • One more touchdown game for Soto. passes, in4B cluding a • Photos from game-changWednesday ing 80-yarder night. 5B to high school teammate Jason Simonovich, as the West defeated the East 34-7. Zapoticky finished 6 of 14 for 205 yards. He also threw touchdown passes of 3 yards to Tunkhannock’s Josh Colley and 44 yards to Pittston Area’s Joe Starinsky as the West scored the game’s final 34 points to post it seventh consecutive victory in a game that was first played in 1952. “It was a great experience,” Zapoticky said. “The guys were a bunch of fun. It’s nice to come together and have the all-stars from around the league and just have a good time playing football.” That good time included an unexpected twist as Zapoticky had to kick extra points. He hadn’t attempted one since last year against Scranton Prep. That kick hit the crossbar and bounced back. “Today right before the game about 15 minutes before we took the field, they were like, ‘Zap, you’re kicking,’ ” said Zapoticky, who made his first four before missing his final attempt. The West also scored on a 4yard run by Berwick’s Jeff Steeber and a 1-yard run by Wyoming Valley West’s Derrick Simms. Simms led all ballcarriers with 55 yards on 13 rushes. See UNICO, Page 4B
User: jsoprano Time: 11-22-2012
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23:41 Product: Times_Leader PubDate: 11-23-2012 Zone: Main Edition: Main_Run PageName: sports_04 PageNo: 7 B Color: C K Y M
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2012 PAGE 7B
N AT I O N A L F O O T B A L L L E A G U E
MCGLOIN
Jets just hapless in falling to Pats
Continued from Page 1B
By J.P. PELZMAN The Record (Hackensack, N.J.)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — At least the Jets didn’t get Gronked by New England. Instead, they got punked. The Patriots humiliated the Jets by taking advantage of a second quarter of home-team slapstick that made the Rich Kotite era look dignified, and went on to a 4919 victory at MetLife Stadium on Thanksgiving night. Despite the absence of injured Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady threw for three touchdowns and ran for one. And the Patriots scored twice in the second quarter when their offense wasn’t on the field, off fumbles by Mark Sanchez and Joe McKnight. Instead of turning their season around, the Jets (4-7) have faded from contention in the AFC East with New England (8-3) again in
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complete control of the division. The Jets’ wild-card chances also took a huge hit, as they likely would have to run the table to have a chance. Both teams went three and out on their first possessions, then New England blew a scoring chance. After a 28-yard pass from Brady to Aaron Hernandez gave thePatriotsafirstdownattheJets’ 22, two plays gained only 1 yard. Stephen Gostkowski missed a 39yard field-goal attempt wide left.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The New England Patriots’ Wes Welker (83) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of New York Jets defensive back Ellis Lankster (26) during an NFL game Thursday in East Rutherford, N.J.
The Jets, however, returned the favor. They drove from their 30 to a second-and-6 at the New England 23 when Sanchez had his
pass intercepted by safety Steve Gregory, who missed the first meeting between the teams last month with a hip injury.
AP PHOTO
Texans kicker Shayne Graham (17) is mobbed by teammates Wade Smith (74) and Owen Daniels (81) after kicking the game-winning field goal in overtime of an NFL game against the Lions at Ford Field in Detroit Thursday. Looking on at left is Connor Barwin.
Coach’s mistake proves costly for Lions
By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer
DETROIT — Jim Schwartz threw a challenge flag when he didn’t need to and the Houston Texans made him regret it. Shayne Graham’s 32-yard field goal with 2:21 left in overtime lifted Houston to a 34-31 win over the Detroit Lions on Thursday after their coach broke an NFL rule by attempting to challenge a scoring play. “Obviously that’s a big break in the game for us,” Houston coach Gary Kubiak said. “But I think you make your breaks when you work your tail off.” Detroit kicker Jason Hanson had a chance to get Schwartz off the hook, but his 47-yard field goal attempt on the fifth possession of the extra period hit the right upright. Lions defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch did, too, on the previous possession when he couldn’t intercept a pass Matt Schaub threw directly at him deep in Houston territory. Detroit might’ve won in regulation if its coach didn’t make a costly mistake. Schwartz threw a challenge flag when Houston’s Justin For-
NFL Continued from Page 1B
overmatched college team in the second quarter, throwing for three scores in Washington’s first 28-point quarter in 13 years as the Redskins (5-6) built a 28-3 halftime lead. After Tony Romo threw the longest touchdown of his career — an 85-yarder to Dez Bryant late in the third quarter — Griffin answered by becoming the first
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sett scored on an 81-yard touchdown run in the third quarter after two Lions tackled him. “Give him credit for continuing to play football,” Kubiak said. “We talk about that all the time. You don’t stop, you play.” Replays showed Forsett’s left knee and elbow hit the turf near midfield, and the automatic review that accompanies all scoring plays probably would have taken the TD off the board. But NFL rules say that throwing the challenge flag on a scoring play negates the review — and is an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to boot. “It’s on me,” Schwartz could be seen saying to assistants and players on the sideline as he tapped his chest. “It’s on me.” Yes, it was. Forsett even acknowledged he shouldn’t have allowed to score. Redskins quarterback with four touchdown passes in consecutive games. And finally, when the Cowboys got within a touchdown and really had people thinking back to Clint Longley’s miracle TD to Drew Pearson in the final seconds of a one-point Dallas victory over Washington on Thanksgiving in 1974, Griffin calmly led the Redskins on a clock-killing drive to a field goal and a 38-28 lead in his first pro game in Texas since his sparkling run at Baylor. “Anytime you have a guy like
“I know now that I was down, but I didn’t think I was during the play,” he said. “I didn’t think my knee hit, and there was no whistle, so I kept going. “I wasn’t giving the touchdown back.” That score pulled Houston within three points. “I knew the rule — you can’t challenge on a turnover or a scoring play — but I was so mad that I overreacted,” said Schwartz, whose temper got the best of him during a postgame handshake last year with San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh. “I had the flag in my hand before he even scored because he was obviously down.” Kubiak had no sympathy. “A rule’s a rule,” Kubiak said. “I know one thing: You’ve got to keep your flag tucked in your pocket.” Arian Foster ran for 102 yards and two scores, including a 1yard run with 1:55 left in the fourth quarter to cap a 15-play, 97-yard drive that tied the game at 31. AFC South-leading Houston (10-1) took its first lead when Graham made up for missing a field goal earlier in OT after
him, you never worry about him,” said Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who set up a firsthalf score with an interception. “You worry about the guys around him being able to keep up with the pace.” Romo lost for the first time in six starts on Thanksgiving, despite a career-high 441 yards and three second-half touchdowns. After the long TD to Bryant, who matched his career high from last week with 145 yards receiving, Romo ran in a 2-point conversion after a TD throw to Felix Jones
teammate Danieal Manning ripped the football away from Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew at its 32 on the first drive of the extra period. Houston ......................... 0 14 10 7 3 — 34 Detroit ............................ 7 14 3 7 0 — 31 First Quarter Det—Leshoure 2 run (Hanson kick), 9:58. Second Quarter Hou—Foster 6 run (S.Graham kick), 10:57. Det—Thomas 5 pass from Stafford (Hanson kick), 6:00. Hou—Daniels 9 pass from Schaub (S.Graham kick), 2:11. Det—Johnson 22 pass from Stafford (Hanson kick), 1:49. Third Quarter Det—FG Hanson 46, 7:03. Hou—Forsett 81 run (S.Graham kick), 6:35. Hou—FG S.Graham 45, 2:36. Fourth Quarter Det—Bell 23 run (Hanson kick), 13:31. Hou—Foster 1 run (S.Graham kick), 1:55. Overtime Hou—FG S.Graham 32, 2:21. A—64,827. Hou Det First downs ............................ 26 29 Total Net Yards..................... 501 525 Rushes-yards ....................... 28-205 23-106 Passing .................................. 296 419 Punt Returns ......................... 3-10 3-32 Kickoff Returns ..................... 5-121 3-71 Interceptions Ret.................. 0-0 1-2 Comp-Att-Int.......................... 29-48-1 31-61-0 Sacked-Yards Lost .............. 2-19 3-22 Punts ...................................... 6-47.5 8-37.4 Fumbles-Lost ........................ 1-0 1-1 Penalties-Yards.................... 8-65 7-70 Time of Possession ............. 35:38 37:01 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING—Houston, Foster 20-102, Forsett 587, Martin 1-17, Schaub 2-(minus 1). Detroit, Bell 5-47, Leshoure 12-32, Thomas 1-14, Stafford 2-7, Smith 3-6. PASSING—Houston, Schaub 29-48-1-315. Detroit, Stafford 31-61-0-441. RECEIVING—Houston, Johnson 9-188, Foster 5-15, Casey 4-38, Daniels 4-20, G.Graham 3-17, Walter 2-20, Martin 2-17. Detroit, Johnson 8-140, Pettigrew 8-74, Broyles 6-126, Scheffler 5-57, Leshoure 2-27, Thomas 2-17. MISSED FIELD GOALS—Houston, S.Graham 51 (WL). Detroit, Hanson 47 (WR).
he suits up one last time for the Nittany Lions. The West Scranton grad needs to throw just one more touchdown to tie the single-season mark (24). He already holds the career record with 45 scores through the air. He is just the second Penn State quarterback to top 6,000 yards passing for his career. Along the way he earned a scholarship. He beat out three guys who were considered bluechip recruits to win the starting job at different points of the last three seasons. And he went from being one of the most polarizing players in the fanbase to being one of the most celebrated. “All I ask is for people to think (of me) as a guy who prepared as hard as he could,” McGloin said. “Who played as hard as he could every Saturday.” One more left. ••• For Charlie Fisher, the moment came on the field just a few weeks later in April. Penn State’s new quarterbacks coach was the last member of O’Brien’s staff to come aboard over the winter. But he quickly developed a rapport with McGloin, the kind that never truly existed with Fisher’s predecessor, Jay Paterno. With the new coaching staff essentially holding tryouts for every starting job, none was more important the one under center. Installing the far more complex offense O’Brien ran with the New England Patriots would depend predominately on having a bright and trustworthy quarterback. And as spring ball began to wrap up, that’s exactly what Fisher started to see him in. “You could just sense that the ball was coming out faster,” Fisher said. “His mind was starting to slow down. He was processing the information. He was getting the verbiage correct. “He was just doing a lot of good things.” So it was no surprise that McGloin was awarded the job after spring practice, the first time he would be starting from day one of the season. “Toward the end of the spring, I really started to get the grasp of it,” McGloin said of the new playbook. “I started getting comfortable with the play-calls. You stop thinking about it and just play. I’d go through reads and feel really comfortable with what I was doing. “Then halfway through the season we really hit our stride and started doing great things with it.” ••• For Allen Robinson and several teammates, the moment came in the summer. McGloin had already won the job, but he made sure to keep refining things during downtime, when coaches aren’t allowed to help out. So McGloin would gather teammates like Robinson and tight end Kyle Carter, a pair of second-year players who became his top two targets. “Me and Matt really got out there and were able to connect a lot, going through all our routes,” said Robinson, who has shared in the records along with McGloin. The sophomore already has the schools’ single-season reception record and is now poised to become just the second wideout in team history to post1,000 yards in a season. “It took through the spring and summer, but (because of the work we put in), it didn’t take a tremendous amount of time for us to get this connection.” Fellow fifth-year senior Matt Stankiewitch, one of McGloin’s roommates, credits that diligence away from the cameras and the spotlight for making the biggest
and threw another scoring pass season,” Griffin said. to Bryant to help Dallas close to Washington........................ 0 28 0 10 — 38 Dallas .................................. 3 0 10 18 — 31 35-28 with 8:24 remaining. First Quarter Dal—FG Bailey 30, 9:17. “I thought we had a good Second Quarter chance,” said Romo, who tied a Was—A.Robinson 68 pass from Griffin III (Forkick), 13:47. career high with 62 pass at- bathWas—Morris 1 run (Forbath kick), 7:00. Was—Garcon 59 pass from Griffin III (Forbath tempts. kick), 2:14. Was—Moss 6 pass from Griffin III (Forbath kick), Griffin responded by complet:05. ing three passes for first downs, Third Quarter Dal—FG Bailey 33, 11:48. including one on third-and-1 near Dal—Bryant 85 pass from Romo (Bailey kick), midfield — and the Redskins ran 1:24. Fourth Quarter nearly 51⁄2 minutes off the clock Was—Paul 29 pass from Griffin III (Forbath kick), before Kai Forbath’s 48-yard field 12:48. Dal—F.Jones 10 pass from Romo (Romo run), 9:54. goal with 3:03 remaining. Dal—Bryant 11 pass from Romo (Bailey kick), “I told the guys that that was 8:18. Was—FG Forbath 48, 2:58. probably the drive that saved our
difference. “We’re all competitors as athletes,” Stankiewitch said. “And I think Matt is maybe a little more competitive than the average athlete. … And I think that being a competitor rubs off on people.” ••• For Joe Paterno, the moment may have come four years ago. McGloin had no offers from FBS schools coming out of West Scranton, where he helped lead the Invaders to a District 2 Class 3A championship as a senior. He opted to walk on at Penn State rather than head to a lower level on scholarship. It only took a few days into his first preseason camp for McGloin to stand out to his Hall of Fame coach. While everyone was eager to know whether Daryll Clark or Pat Devlin would replace Anthony Morelli as the starter, Paterno made sure to mention McGloin. Without actually mentioning him. “We have a walk-on that’s really impressed me. A true freshman kid,” Paterno said at preseason media day in August 2008. “And I won’t get into names, because if I open it up for one freshman, I’ve gotta open it up for a lot of kids.” It was Paterno who would give McGloin his shot midway through the 2010 season after starter Rob Bolden was knocked out of a game at Minnesota. He would get his first start the next week under the lights at Beaver Stadium, beating Michigan. Though he would continue to split time, McGloin was the one who got to take the final knee against Northwestern a week later, handing the game ball over to Paterno for his 400th career win. ••• For Matt McGloin himself, there was no one moment. The Scranton native always knew he could be successful at Penn State. And he noted every snicker, every roll of the eyes that greeted him in 2010, when he first said he could beat out the likes of Bolden, Paul Jones and Kevin Newsome for the starting job. He fought that perception – from the coaching staff as well as the media and the fans – for all of 2010 and 2011 as he rotated with Bolden. “I know I came here without a scholarship,” McGloin said. “So I approached practice each and every day like it was the last. Because if I didn’t perform well Tuesday and Wednesday, I didn’t know if I was gonna play Saturday. “So if that’s one thing I can relay to (younger players) – don’t take anything for granted.” Saturday will come and McGloin will be honored before the game, walking through the tunnel with his family as part of a one-of-a-kind senior day ceremony. And after that… who knows? “My advice (to him) is to play football as long as they let you play football,” O’Brien said. “You mean go get a real job? No! Play as long as you can. Personally, I’ll do whatever I can to help him. I think he’s a great kid, I think he’s a competitive kid. I love coaching him, I love watching him play. Love watching him play! “I hope he gets that opportunity. It’s not easy. It’s not easy in (the NFL), and that’s the hardest position to play in that league, and it’s very competitive. … But I know he’ll compete. And if given the opportunity, he’ll go in there and do the best he can. “I hope he tries to play forever.” Maybe it is a long shot. But so was becoming one of the most prolific players in Penn State history. “I wasn’t supposed to play here at all,” McGloin said. “You guys remember that. I think I showed I was capable of doing it. You want to talk about skillsets or performances – I just go back to saying I wasn’t supposed to play D-I football. “So who’s to say I can’t play at the next level?”
Dal—FG Bailey 51, :18. A—90,166.
Was Dal First downs ............................. 22 22 Total Net Yards ...................... 437 458 Rushes-yards ......................... 30-142 11-35 Passing.................................... 295 423 Punt Returns........................... 2-13 3-17 Kickoff Returns....................... 3-83 4-76 Interceptions Ret. .................. 2-37 1-27 Comp-Att-Int ........................... 20-28-1 37-62-2 Sacked-Yards Lost................ 4-16 2-18 Punts........................................ 5-45.2 3-56.7 Fumbles-Lost.......................... 0-0 1-1 Penalties-Yards ..................... 5-41 7-45 Time of Possession............... 31:42 28:18 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING—Washington, Morris 24-113, Griffin III 6-29. Dallas, F.Jones 6-14, Dunbar 1-8, Romo 3-7, Bryant 1-6. PASSING—Washington, Griffin III 20-28-1-311. Dallas, Romo 37-62-2-441. RECEIVING—Washington, Garcon 5-93, Morgan 5-48, Moss 4-42, Paulsen 2-11, A.Robinson 168, Paul 1-29, Hankerson 1-12, Banks 1-8. Dallas, Witten 9-74, Bryant 8-145, Beasley 7-68, Harris 471, F.Jones 3-47, Dunbar 3-21, Vickers 2-11, Holmes 1-4.
User: jsoprano Time: 11-29-2012
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23:48 Product: Times_Leader PubDate: 11-30-2012 Zone: Main Edition: Main_Run PageName: sports_f PageNo: 1 B Color: C K Y M
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THE TIMES LEADER
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2012
PSU FOOTBALL
NFL
Penn State seniors truly were a ‘Big Ten’ Falcons “We’re going to take this as an opportunity to create our own legacy. This program was not built by one man, and this program sure as hell is not going to get torn down by one man.”
—Michael Mauti
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Cardinals capture Big East
called upon because of injuries. Beyond that were 10 seniors who Things will only get tougher for Penn made the biggest impact on Penn State State going forward as the full weight of over the past five years. the NCAA sanctions sets in. But the 10. Pete Massaro Nittany Lions have this group of departDefensive end ing seniors to thank for keeping the Newtown Square, Pa. pulse of the program strong. CAREER: 45 tackles, 9 TFL, 4.0 Some were under the radar for most sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR of their careers. Mike Yancich was Not to be forgotten in all of the connamed special teams captain at the end versation about Mauti and his knee of the season. James Terry, Derek Day injuries is Massaro, who also came into and Williamsport’s Jake Fagnano all his fifth and final season coming off of a stepped in as starters this year when
By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com
second ACL surgery. His final year was also hampered by injuries as he dealt with issues with his knee and shoulder. It’s easy to forget that Massaro came off of Massaro that first ACL injury to be the team’s most effective pass rusher in 2010 and was one of the Lions best players on the road against defending See PSU, Page 3B
NCAA DIVISION III WOMEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Trying to stay hot
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By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons raced to a 17-0 lead and the defense made it stand up, picking off five of Drew Brees’ passes and ending his NFL-record touchdown streak with a 23-13 victory Thursday night. The Falcons FALCONS moved to the brink of clinching the NFC South and dealt SAINTS a big blow to the Saints (5-7) and their fading playoff hopes. William Moore had two of the five interceptions, which were the most of Brees’ career and came four days after he had two passes picked off and returned for touchdowns in a loss to San Francisco. Brees had thrown a touchdown pass in 54 consecutive games. He had an apparent scoring pass to Darren Sproles late in the first half, but it was nullified by a penalty.
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By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer
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Atlanta makes early lead standup against Drew Brees and New Orleans.
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Louisville defeats Rutgers to claim conference title and a spot in a BCS game.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Banged-up Teddy Bridgewater came off the bench to throw two-second half touchdown passes, and John Wallace kicked a 29-yard field goal with 1:41 left to send Louisville to the BCS with a 20-17 victory against Rutgers on Thursday night. In a game between one team headed to the Big Ten and another bound for the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big East handed out its second-to-last bid to a school that entered the league during its last massive rebuild in 2005 and watched its athletic program blossom. The Cardinals will be going to the BCS LOUISVILLE for the second time, first since 2006. Louisville RUTGERS (10-2, 5-2) will share this Big East title with Rutgers (9-3, 5-2), Syracuse and possibly even Cincinnati, but the BCS bid will be all theirs. The BCS standings will be used to break the tie and there is no doubt Louisville, with the best overall record in the conference, will be on top. Bridgewater didn’t start a week after getting roughed up in a loss to Connecticut. He broke his left wrist and sprained his right ankle. He entered for the first time in the second quarter and finished with 263 yards passing and threw a pair of TD passes in the third quarter to wipe out a 14-3 deficit. James Burgess picked off a pass that bounced off Timmy Wright’s hands with 3:53 left in Rutgers territory, and Bridgewater hit Andrell Smith on a slant for 30 yards to put Louisville in field goal range. Wallace booted through the short kick to give Louisville the lead. Rutgers’ last chance ended when Gary Nova threw deep, but his receiver stopped short, and Terrell Floyd made an over the shoulder interception with 1:06 left. Nova bent over and grabbed his helmet in disgust.
jump out fast, top Saints
Eagles’ Vick again fails concussion test AMANDA HRYCYNA/ FOR TIMES LEADER
Misericordia soccer player Kimberly Gottshall kicks the ball during a practice Tuesday night in preparation for the NCAA Final Four this weekend in San Antonio.
Misericordia heads to Texas for Final Four By JIMMY FISHER For the Times Leader
DALLAS – The Misericordia University women’s soccer team will be competing in its first NCAA Division III Final Four tournament in San Antonio, Texas, this weekend. This comes just one season after losing in the second round of the tournament. With this being the furthest
the program has reached in its history, head coach Mark Stauffer said it’s a great opportunity for the team as well as the school. “We’re excited,” said Stauffer. “We’re looking at it as an opportunity to extend our season a little bit and be able to finally put Misericordia soccer consistently in the top 10 in the country.
“We’ve been hovering in that top 10-, top-20 range for a while now, so the fact that we’re now here and in the Final Four I think that just brings success to the validity that we have and proving that we deserve to be here.” Stauffer is wrapping up his 13th season with the program, and he is also the first head coach in team history to lead
the team this deep into the NCAA tournament. Stauffer said it has less to do with him but more with the effort of his team. “I have a great group of kids,” Stauffer said. “They put the effort in year round, it’s not just what we do from August to November, it’s what they do See FOUR, Page 6B
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Eagles quarterback Michael Vick did not pass a leaguemandated concussion test this week and will not return to practice until he does. Vick, injured in a 38-23 loss to Dallas on Nov. 11, took the exam on Wednesday, the Eagles said. Backup Nick Foles, a rookie who has started the last two games for Philadelphia, will likely get the call again on Sunday, when the Eagles (3-8) face the Cowboys (5-6), this time in Dallas. Vick endured consecutive bruising hits in the second quarter against the Cowboys in Philadelphia before leaving the game.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Upton, Braves ink $75.25M deal By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer
AP PHOTO
Atlanta Braves newly-signed center fielder B.J. Upton, right, and general manager Frank Wren pose with Upton’s jersey during a news conference introducing Upton Thursday in Atlanta. Upton replaces free agent Michael Bourn in center field.
ATLANTA — Jason Heyward was in the audience as B.J. Upton was introduced Thursday as Atlanta’s new centerfielder. That made manager Fredi Gonzalez smile as he realized he didn’t have to worry so much about finding the third starter in his outfield. “Shoot, we may not even need a left fielder,” Gonzalez said. “With him playing center and Jason, who just won a Gold Glove,
Rivera, Yankees come to terms for 2013
NEW YORK — Mariano Rivera and the New York Yankees agreed Thursday to a $10 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced. The person said the deal includes additional bonus opportunities, as did the team’s agreement with Andy Pettitte earlier in the week.
in right, it’s going to be fun watching these guys cover some ground in the outfield.” Upton was given a No. 2 Braves jersey after finalizing a $75.25 million, five-year contract — the biggest ever given a free agent by
the franchise. He gets a $3 million signing bonus payable by Dec. 31 and salaries of $12.45 million next season, $13.45 million in 2014, $14.45 million in 2015, See UPTON, Page 6B
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national champion Alabama. “It was nice to see him come back and play at a high level,” defensive line coach Larry Johnson said. “I’m a big Pete Massaro fan. He worked so hard to overcome adversity and each day get better and better.”
AP PHOTO
Notre Dame assistant coaches Anthony Solomon, left, and Rod Balanis reach behind coach Mike Brey late in an NCAA basketball game against Kentucky on Thursday in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 64-50.
Notre Dame surprises Wildcats The Associated Press
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 8 Kentucky and its heralded freshmen weren’t ready for the first true road test of the season. The Wildcats looked comfortable at the start against Notre Dame, jumping to an early six-point lead. But once the Fighting Irish and their sellout crowd got going, Kentucky faltered and lost 64-50 on Thursday night. “We came out a little shellshocked and we started playing their game, which is slow down and half court,” said Julius Mays, who led the Wildcats (4-2) with 16 points. “I think we’re more of an up-tempo team.” Kentucky coach John Calipari said the Wildcats struggled down the stretch. “It was obvious they needed help from me and it was obvious they didn’t get it from me,” he said. Calipari said his young team wasn’t ready for the atmosphere. “It’s tough to coach new teams each year, that’s what is hard. That’s just part of what we have to deal with. Every team is new, and we are just learning about our team,” he said. Junior guards Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant paced the Irish (7-1). Atkins led the Fighting Irish with 16 points, Grant had 13 points and six assists and Jack Cooley added 13 points and 11 rebounds. “The way our guards were controlling things, I didn’t have
to do a lot of coaching,” Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. “Those guys were coaching the team. Eric Atkins running things, calling sets. When you have a veteran backcourt doing that, I just don’t want to get in their way too much.” Florida 82, Marquette 49 GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Michael Frazier II scored 17 points, one of six Florida players in double figures, and the seventh-ranked Gators routed Marquette in the SEC-Big East Challenge. Florida took control midway through the first half, building a double-digit lead thanks to Frazier’s hot hand and solid defense, and never let up. The Gators kept things rolling after the break, opening up a 23-point lead on Will Yeguete’s layup. Gonzaga 104, Lewis-Clark State 57 SPOKANE, Wash. — Redshirt freshman Kyle Dranginis scored a season high 30 points, and five other Gonzaga players scored in double figures as the 12th-ranked Bulldogs coasted to a victory over Lewis-Clark State College. WOMEN Miami 69, Penn State 65 CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Morgan Stroman scored 15 points, leading Miami to a victory over No. 6 Penn State. Suriya McGuire’s layup with 14 seconds remaining broke a 65-all tie. Alex Bentley had a chance to tie it but her jumper
with 5 seconds left bounced off the rim. Miami’s Michelle Woods grabbed the rebound and was fouled. Woods made both free throws with 2 seconds remaining to secure the win for Miami (5-1). Stefanie Yderstrom finished with 13 points and Woods scored 11 for the Hurricanes. Maggie Lucas led the Lions (5-1) with a game-high 20 points. Notre Dame 72, Central Michigan 63 MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Skylar Diggins scored 17 of her 25 points in the first half, and No. 5 Notre Dame pulled away late. Ariel Braker added 10 points and eight rebounds to help the Fighting Irish (5-0) close November undefeated for the first time since the 2009-10 season. Jessica Green scored 19 points for Central Michigan (2-3). In the program’s first home game against a top-5 team, the Chippewas played like they belonged. The teams exchanged leads nine times in the first half before Notre Dame took a 40-39 lead at the break. Oklahoma 96, Northwestern State 35 NORMAN, Okla. — Aaryn Ellenberg scored 22 points and No. 12 Oklahoma State, playing without guard Maddie Manning, dominated Northwestern State. Ellenberg was 5 of 7 from 3-point range and had five rebounds and six steals.
NBA
Allen’s 3-pointer lifts Heat past Spurs The Associated Press
MIAMI — The NBA plans to make San Antonio pay for resting four stars. The Miami Heat almost could not. Ray Allen’s 3-pointer with 22.6 seconds left gave the Heat the lead, LeBron James finished with 23 points and the Heat rallied late to beat the Spurs 105-100 on
Thursday night — needing to dig deep despite San Antonio’s decision to have four standouts resting at home in a move that irked NBA Commissioner David Stern. Allen scored 20 points, Dwyane Wade added 19 and Chris Bosh finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds for Miami, now 7-0 at home. Gary Neal had 20 points for the
HARNESS RACING
Looking ahead to a season featuring the Breeders Crown, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs announced the 2013 racing schedule earlier this week with a total of 140 race days scheduled. Saturday, March 23, will open the track’s 48th racing season. With a Post Time of 6:30 p.m., racing will take place on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday for the months of March through May. A doubleheading of live racing will be featured on Kentucky Derby day, May 4, with the first Post
Time of 11 a.m., and the second immediately following the running of the race. In June and July, racing moves to five nights a week, with a Post Time of 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. A special earlier post of 3:30 p.m. on Fridays is a new addition to the race card. “We are really excited to offer this earlier post for our fans”, said Dale Rapson, Vice President of Racing Operations. “We will offer the 3:30 p.m. Friday post for the two summer months, and again in September through closing in Novem-
8. Sean Stanley Defensive end Rockville, Md. CAREER: 87 tackles, 20.5 TFL, 11 sacks, 6 FF, 2 FR, 1 INT Dubbed the quiet storm by Larry Johnson, Stanley did his talking with his play. Despite playing as a true freshman, Stanley spent part of his early career in Joe Paterno’s doghouse before emerging as a consistent and athletic presence in the front four. Stanley was as comfortable rushing the Stanley passer as he was working out in space, one time actually breaking up a pass some 20 yards downfield last season against Ohio State. His final highlight was a sack and strip of Wisconsin’s Curt Phillips in overtime last week, ultimately forcing a longer field goal try that was missed, giving the Lions the win. Big Ten Freshman of the Year Deion Barnes credited Stanley for helping his helping him along as much as anyone. “He matured so much the last couple years,” Johnson said. “His tree really became full. Not just on the field but off the field and in the classroom. He’s a complete player. “That’s what you want to see in college. You see kids grow into young men. That’s what happened with Sean, and I think that’s really special.”
Spurs, who played without Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Danny Green. The Spurs’ top foursome was sent back to San Antonio by coach 7. Michael Zordich Gregg Popovich, who said the Running back move was in his team’s best interCanfield, Ohio est. Stern wasn’t happy about it, CAREER: 115 carries, 384 calling the move “unacceptable” and saying that sanctions against yards (3.3 ypc), 9 TDs; 22 catches, 200 yards the Spurs will be forthcoming. Recruited as a linebacker, Zordich didn’t even get one practice in before being switched to fullback. But the son of former Lions ber, hoping to fill the void beAll-America tween day tracks and night Zordich safety Michael tracks.” Zordich Sr. played the role withThe Breeders Crown will be out complaint, even if he got held Saturday, Oct. 19. Eliminalittle time in the spotlight durtions for the race will be on Oct. ing his first four years. 11 and 12. Mohegan Sun at PoThat changed this past sumcono Downs last hosted the mer when Zordich stepped to Breeders Crown in 2010, welthe forefront along with Mauti coming nearly 10,000 fans in a to keep the team together just single night. days after the sanctions were Racing in August through handed down. Nov. 16, 2013, will continue on On the field, he stepped in Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday when the Lions struggled to with the early post, and Saturfind a tailback early in the year day. The track will be closed and was a factor as a tailback March 31 and also the week of throughout the year, ultimately Sept. 8 for the PA Oktoberfest.
Mohegan Sun announces 2013 racing schedule The Times Leader Staff
9. Mike Farrell Offensive tackle Pittsburgh, Pa. CAREER: 13 starts at tackle Farrell’s biggest impact on the field didn’t come until 2012, but his leadership in the locker room was apparent well before then. Along with West Scranton’s Eric Shrive, Farrell took over the Uplifting Athletes organization at Penn State, which puts together the annual Lift For Life event to benefit kidney cancer. After a hectic spring semester in 2012, Farrell dedicated himself in the weight room over the summer and Farrell thoroughly impressed the coaching staff, earning the starting job at right tackle. Early on in the year, he played on both the right and left side, occasionally switching in the middle of a drive when needed. “People don’t understand how hard that is,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “Not just to make that switch and know your responsibilities, but to do it on the fly. Mike Farrell has had a heck of a year.”
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2012 PAGE 3B
being named a team captain. “Mike’s one of the best leaders on this team,” fellow captain Matt McGloin said. “He’s a great football player and an even better person. He’s worked his tail off and paid his dues. “He’s one of the hardest workers we have. You know he’s going to do the job the right way.”
PSU WRAP-UP • Today: The seniors • Saturday: The successors • Sunday: The future
12 tackles in the finale against Wisconsin – eight came during in the fourth quarter and overtime, including three for loss. After being lightly recruited by top programs out of high 6. Stephon Morris school, Hill committed to the Lions the day after they lost the Cornerback 2008 Rose Bowl and the big Greenbelt, Md. man played right away as a true CAREER: 148 tackles, 8.5 freshman. He was named a TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT One of the team’s more under- captain as a senior and was recognized as a first-team Allrated leaders, Big Ten player. Morris helped “It’s just hard to put into unite an inexwords what Jordan Hill’s meant perienced to this team,” O’Brien said. “He secondary in just plays so hard. He’s an excel2012 and also talk teammates lent football player. He’s a phenomenal kid off the field. He’s off the ledge great in the locker room. There’s when losses Morris nothing that you can say bad made them about him. question their commitment to “I just wish we had him for Penn State. On the field, Morris played as longer.” a true freshman and then start2. Matt McGloin ed off and on the next two years. Quarterback But as a full-time starter as a Scranton, Pa. senior, he was a dependable CAREER: 513-894 (57.4%), cover corner who rarely missed a tackle despite his small frame. 6,385 yards, 46 TDs, 19 INT; 7 rushing TDs “You can’t say enough about For Penn State to have any Stephon,” O’Brien said. “Playing success at all in some and not playing some, and 2012, O’Brien now coming in there this year needed a quarand done a nice job. That’s not terback to run an easy position to play in our his offense. defense, because there’s a lot of And after two man coverage called out there. years of frustra“You’re on your own and you tion from splithave to come up with big plays. ting time, And he’s done that.” McGloin McGloin went 5. Matt Stankiewitch above and beyond in preparing for his shot as the full-time Center starter. Orwigsburg, Pa. The first former walk-on to CAREER: 25 starts at center, start at quarterback in the Joe 2 starts at guard After the dust from the trans- Paterno era leaves as one of the program’s most prolific passers, fers cleared and the season setting records for yards, touchbegan, Stankiewitch was the downs and completions in a only full-time starter left from season as well as a new mark for Penn State’ 2011 team. He anchored the offensive line career touchdown passes. Originally a polarizing figure and teamed with roommate because of his attitude and self confidence, McGloin left as a Matt McGloin team captain and received one to keep the of the loudest cheers from the offense in crowd during the senior day rhythm, receremony. sponsible for “I knew right away that we communihad a competitive kid and we cating Stankiewitch had a kid that football was very, McGloin’s very important to,” O’Brien audibles to his teammates up said. “The way he was on the front. He was named first-team field, in meetings, the way he All-Big Ten as a senior. “He’s really one of the leaders took notes, the way he listened. You have to have those traits to on the team,” McGloin said. “A be a successful quarterback. ton of experience. A bright kid, “You have to, in my opinion, a great football player. He did a tremendous job preparing week- have a brain that can work fast, in and week-out. Definitely a big you have to be competitive, you part of the offense and definitely have to have a huge desire to win. And he has that.” a guy who makes us go.” 4. Gerald Hodges Linebacker Paulsboro, N.J. CAREER: 249 tackles, 21.0 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 3 FF, 1 FR, 3 INT He came in as a hard hitting safety and left as one of only two linebackers in school history to record multiple 100tackle seasons. Hodges particularly shined in 2011 after he was asked to play a bigger role Hodges when Mauti went down with a knee injury before Big Ten play. A month later, he was all over the field and making plays like the best linebackers in the country. When Mauti couldn’t play in that final game last week, Hodges donned his teammates’ No. 42 after getting his blessing the night before at the team hotel. “I’m tearing up thinking about it,” Mauti said. “It was the biggest honor for me. We’ve come so far in our relationship and as players. It has really been an honor to play with him.” 3. Jordan Hill Defensive tackle Steelton, Pa. CAREER: 171 tackles, 19.5 TFL, 9.5 sacks, 2 FF, 4 FR, 1 INT Playing the final month of his college career on a bad Hill knee, Hill saved his best for last, recording
1. Michael Mauti Linebacker Mandeville, La. CAREER: 209 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 4 FF, 1 FR, 5 INT An inspirational figure like few others in Penn State history, Mauti was honored by the team, which put his No. 42 on those plain, white helmets for the final game. One that he couldn’t Mauti play in because of a third major knee injury in the last four years. This year alone, he spoke for the current players at Joe Paterno’s memorial service, delivering a memorial speech without any notes. He spoke after the sanctions, first with his teammates and then to the media, defending the school that he, his father and brother all attended and played football at. He then backed it up on the field, being named the Big Ten’s Linebacker of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection. “No sanctions, no politician is ever going to take away what we got here,” Mauti said. “None of that is ever going to tear us apart. All we can do is put our heads down and go to work. We’re going to fight for Penn State. We’re going to fight for each other, because this is what Penn State is about – fighting through adversity. “We’re going to show up every Saturday and raise hell.” So they did. So they will continue.