UNIVERSITY PARK, CENTRE COUNTY - The Big Ten notified the university's Athletic Department officials that the school is still eligible to win the Leaders Division trophy if it finishes with the best record in the six-team division.
The Penn State Football season got off to a bit of a rocky start, but members of the Penn State community hope this new incentive will be just the motivation the team needs to win.
Finally, a bit of a break for Penn State football.
"Our players deserve to be motivated again with something, even after everything that's been taken from us and from them," junior Jason Blake said.
And like many other students on campus, Blake hopes that little bit of motivation will come in the form of a trophy.
"I think it's pretty awesome. It's better than getting no trophy at all," junior Robert Dolan said.
"This will just be a great opportunity to show that we're not as bad as the media says we are," freshman Kyle Murray said.
"I think it's great. They took away so much from us and some of our best players left," junior Angie Gokhman said. "If we do our best and we really deserve it, then we should be able to win it."
After hearing the news after practice Wednesday, head coach Bill O'Brien says he appreciates the decision. University spokesperson David LaTorre tell WTAJ, "We see and feel a great deal of enthusiasm from the Penn State community in general. It was certainly great to see Coach O'Brien and his team represent the university. The response has been very positive as we move forward."
While Penn State is eligible to receive the trophy, the Big Ten won't allow them to play in the postseason conference title game because of the university's sanctions.
The Penn State Football season got off to a bit of a rocky start, but members of the Penn State community hope this new incentive will be just the motivation the team needs to win.
Finally, a bit of a break for Penn State football.
"Our players deserve to be motivated again with something, even after everything that's been taken from us and from them," junior Jason Blake said.
And like many other students on campus, Blake hopes that little bit of motivation will come in the form of a trophy.
"I think it's pretty awesome. It's better than getting no trophy at all," junior Robert Dolan said.
"This will just be a great opportunity to show that we're not as bad as the media says we are," freshman Kyle Murray said.
"I think it's great. They took away so much from us and some of our best players left," junior Angie Gokhman said. "If we do our best and we really deserve it, then we should be able to win it."
After hearing the news after practice Wednesday, head coach Bill O'Brien says he appreciates the decision. University spokesperson David LaTorre tell WTAJ, "We see and feel a great deal of enthusiasm from the Penn State community in general. It was certainly great to see Coach O'Brien and his team represent the university. The response has been very positive as we move forward."
While Penn State is eligible to receive the trophy, the Big Ten won't allow them to play in the postseason conference title game because of the university's sanctions.
