Problems grow for Paterno
Considering that Joe Paterno is 80 years old, you have to wonder why he sticks it out in college football, given the difficulties in dealing with prima donna athletes and, yes, they exist at the college level.
JoePa's latest trouble is the only thing the media want to talk about this week. That tells you something, considering Penn State devoured Iowa 27-7 last Saturday.
According to reports, several of his players might be under investigation for their roles in a campus party. If that is the case, it just adds to a list of misery for JoePa.
He recently suspended senior tailback Austin Scott indefinitely for violation of a team rule. The entire team has been required to pick up garbage after games at Beaver Stadium because of an April fight involving players. Two other players were accused of underage drinking this after suspensions of their teammates for the same infraction.
''You know, we're fine. Let me handle the football team, and as soon as I know enough to make some decisions, I'll make them and that will be it. But you guys want to nitpick,'' Paterno said during his weekly news conference.
''We may have some kids that may have stepped out of line; to what degree, I don't know. Seriously or not seriously; to what effect how what they have done is going to affect how I'm going to react, I don't know, period.''
Please see Big Ten, C5
Continued from Page C3
Keeping faith
After a 4-0 start, Michigan State has lost two games in a row a couple of heartbreakers to Wisconsin and Northwestern. Coach Mark Dantonio was asked whether he would be able to deal with the perception that these might be the same-old, start-fast-finish-slow Spartans.
''I'm not really concerned what's written in the papers, to be honest with you,'' he said. ''I don't have time to read the papers. We invest our time in knowing what really is the truth to the best of our ability, and I know if a guy has shut it down or if he hasn't shut it down.
''When I look in my players' eyes, I don't see that, and when I look into our coaches' eyes, I don't see that. You know, I see hurt, but I don't see a lack of faith.''
After going through rough patches at the University of Cincinnati and Ohio State, Dantonio said, this is nothing new for him.
''In terms of the outside criticism, as I said before, everybody has a job to do, and I'm a big boy. We can handle it, so we'll keep moving forward,'' he said.
Big Ten rebound
After Michigan lost its first two games, the talk of the nation has been that the Big Ten Conference is having a down year. That's difficult to see, considering the level of play so far this season. Eight of 11 teams have winning records and that includes perennial doormats Illinois and Indiana.
OSU coach Jim Tressel couldn't resist saying a playful ''I told you so'' to reporters at his weekly news conference.
''I just feel as you look at all the teams, look at the whole group, there's a lot of good football teams in our league,'' he said. ''So I'm not surprised a bit about Illinois doing what they're doing. I think they're an outstanding team.
''I thought that last year. Indiana doesn't surprise you as their quarterback develops and I think I mentioned to you guys after Week 1 that, don't worry, Michigan will be back.''
Yes, the Wolverines are back, and their coach, Lloyd Carr, talks like a man who knows things are still up for grabs.
''It's going to be typical, Big Ten football . . . and every team that we're playing is in the same boat,'' Carr said. ''I mean, they are either in the lead or they are close to the lead, and that brings out I think the best in everybody, and that's what will be fun about it. For those who win, it will be more fun.''
Recruiting update
Rivals.com released its Top 100 high school football prospects this week.
Breaking it down for the Big Ten: OSU already has six of those players committed to the Buckeyes and another three with moderate interest in the school. Michigan has commitments from three on the list and another five who are interested. Penn State is the only other school to land a commitment.
OSU is a leading contender to secure the top recruit in the country, quarterback Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette, Pa., and Michigan is in the race for the top running back in the country, Darrell Scott of Ventura, Calif.
The two teams are competing directly for defensive end Shayne Hale (Monroeville, Pa.), wide receiver Michael Floyd (St. Paul, Minn.) and Brandon Smith (New Brunswick, N.J.), according to Rivals.
George M. Thomas can be reached at gmthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/sportsblitz/
Considering that Joe Paterno is 80 years old, you have to wonder why he sticks it out in college football, given the difficulties in dealing with prima donna athletes and, yes, they exist at the college level.
JoePa's latest trouble is the only thing the media want to talk about this week. That tells you something, considering Penn State devoured Iowa 27-7 last Saturday.
According to reports, several of his players might be under investigation for their roles in a campus party. If that is the case, it just adds to a list of misery for JoePa.
He recently suspended senior tailback Austin Scott indefinitely for violation of a team rule. The entire team has been required to pick up garbage after games at Beaver Stadium because of an April fight involving players. Two other players were accused of underage drinking this after suspensions of their teammates for the same infraction.
''You know, we're fine. Let me handle the football team, and as soon as I know enough to make some decisions, I'll make them and that will be it. But you guys want to nitpick,'' Paterno said during his weekly news conference.
''We may have some kids that may have stepped out of line; to what degree, I don't know. Seriously or not seriously; to what effect how what they have done is going to affect how I'm going to react, I don't know, period.''
Please see Big Ten, C5
Continued from Page C3
Keeping faith
After a 4-0 start, Michigan State has lost two games in a row a couple of heartbreakers to Wisconsin and Northwestern. Coach Mark Dantonio was asked whether he would be able to deal with the perception that these might be the same-old, start-fast-finish-slow Spartans.
''I'm not really concerned what's written in the papers, to be honest with you,'' he said. ''I don't have time to read the papers. We invest our time in knowing what really is the truth to the best of our ability, and I know if a guy has shut it down or if he hasn't shut it down.
''When I look in my players' eyes, I don't see that, and when I look into our coaches' eyes, I don't see that. You know, I see hurt, but I don't see a lack of faith.''
After going through rough patches at the University of Cincinnati and Ohio State, Dantonio said, this is nothing new for him.
''In terms of the outside criticism, as I said before, everybody has a job to do, and I'm a big boy. We can handle it, so we'll keep moving forward,'' he said.
Big Ten rebound
After Michigan lost its first two games, the talk of the nation has been that the Big Ten Conference is having a down year. That's difficult to see, considering the level of play so far this season. Eight of 11 teams have winning records and that includes perennial doormats Illinois and Indiana.
OSU coach Jim Tressel couldn't resist saying a playful ''I told you so'' to reporters at his weekly news conference.
''I just feel as you look at all the teams, look at the whole group, there's a lot of good football teams in our league,'' he said. ''So I'm not surprised a bit about Illinois doing what they're doing. I think they're an outstanding team.
''I thought that last year. Indiana doesn't surprise you as their quarterback develops and I think I mentioned to you guys after Week 1 that, don't worry, Michigan will be back.''
Yes, the Wolverines are back, and their coach, Lloyd Carr, talks like a man who knows things are still up for grabs.
''It's going to be typical, Big Ten football . . . and every team that we're playing is in the same boat,'' Carr said. ''I mean, they are either in the lead or they are close to the lead, and that brings out I think the best in everybody, and that's what will be fun about it. For those who win, it will be more fun.''
Recruiting update
Rivals.com released its Top 100 high school football prospects this week.
Breaking it down for the Big Ten: OSU already has six of those players committed to the Buckeyes and another three with moderate interest in the school. Michigan has commitments from three on the list and another five who are interested. Penn State is the only other school to land a commitment.
OSU is a leading contender to secure the top recruit in the country, quarterback Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette, Pa., and Michigan is in the race for the top running back in the country, Darrell Scott of Ventura, Calif.
The two teams are competing directly for defensive end Shayne Hale (Monroeville, Pa.), wide receiver Michael Floyd (St. Paul, Minn.) and Brandon Smith (New Brunswick, N.J.), according to Rivals.
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