The Nittany Turkey

Primarily about Penn State football, this is a tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

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Home Archives for 2009

Archives for 2009

Austin Scott Suing PSU

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Claiming that the university’s actions in his arrest and prosecution for rape charges caused him to miss out on a lucrative NFL career, former Nittany Lion running back Austin Scott is suing Penn State for damages. Scott was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns, but was subsequently given his walking papers.

It will be hard to find a judge and jury who can be made to believe that Scott would have been viable in the NFL, much less a star. Instead, perhaps he could have made it on Dancing With the Stars. We’ll never know.

Read more here.

Snow Causes Parking Changes for Minny Game

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Snow forecast for Homecoming Weekend
Snow forecast for Homecoming Weekend

Between 2 and 8 inches of additional wet, heavy snow has been forecast for University Park overnight tonight (Oct. 16) and before gametime Saturday. Penn State is asking football patrons coming to the Homecoming game vs. Minnesota at Beaver Stadium to be patient and understanding, as the hazardous conditions in the area have taken roughly 20,000 parking spaces offline for the game.

Football fans are being urged to carpool, and those who can walk to the stadium – particularly students – should do so.

University officials are working to identify alternative parking areas. All grass lots will be closed. Those bringing RVs to the game may be redirected to other locations for parking. The following procedures will be in place in paved and gravel lots:

— Pink numbered, reserved lots, preferred lots (orange, blue and brown) and all general yellow parking will be redirected to space-available lots either on campus, or in designated lots in the community.

— Parking in numbered, reserved lots (green, red and purple) will be on a first-come, first-served basis for permit-holders in those lots. Parking will be restricted to one space per vehicle until 11 a.m. or until the lots are filled. If the lots are not filled by 11 a.m., they will be opened to the general public, with the restriction of one space per vehicle remaining in place.

— All ADA parking will be located in the East Parking Deck on Bigler Road. This parking deck will be open only to those with ADA parking permits, and it will be serviced by the ADA shuttle.

— Penn State is working to partner with area businesses to have football patrons park in these community lots and be shuttled to Beaver Stadium. Shuttle service to the game will be provided to those parking in the following parking lots: the Benner Pike Wal-Mart; Sam’s Club; Chem Cut; Target; Lowe’s; Home Depot; the former Corning plant on East College Avenue; and the Big Lots Plaza. More information on this will be posted as additional community parking locations are identified. There is no charge for parking in these community lots or for the shuttles to and from the stadium.

Patrons with passes for the lots listed above who arrive after these lots are filled, or after 11 a.m., will be redirected to another lot.

For questions about parking, call 800-NITTANY.

Gauging the Golden Gophers

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The #14 Penn State Nittany Lions (5-1, 1-1 Big Ten) host the unranked Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) on Saturday at Beaver Stadium in a game telecast regionally on ABC, with appropriate out-of-market mirrorage by ESPN. In the round, red eyes of this Turkey, this will be the first significant test of the year for many aspects of the PSU game.

The situation is that of a classic trap game. Penn State is coming off an easy blowout win against an overmatched FCS opponent, and possibly looking past Minnesota toward Michigan in the Big House a week from Saturday. Furthermore, the Lions are favored by 17 points as I write this. Minnesota is using that 17-point spread to fire up the already upset-minded troops even further. I am getting queasy thinking of the potential for another loss, particularly a second one on our home field, but it could happen.

Whichever way it goes, I doubt that it will be a blowout. The weather is liable to be marginal, which favors the team with the better running game. Thus far, after a shaky start, that has been Penn State.

Last time the two met, back in 2006, the Lions won by the slimmest of margins, 28-27 at the old Metrodome. The Lions have never faced Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster.

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