Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1349632
A fter canceling it last year, Penn State is holding spring practice again. No matter how it goes – no matter how well the of- fense adapts to its new coordinator, no matter how adeptly the defense integrates the personnel it acquired through the transfer portal over the past few months, no matter how quickly the in- coming position coaches get up to speed – the fact that actual practices are set to take place in March and April feels like a victory in itself. Nothing is certain these days given the ever- shifting nature of the COVID threat. The down- ward trend in cases that had taken hold in February after a post-holiday surge had slowed by early March, but immunization programs are gaining speed and the hopes for a return to some sem- blance of normalcy by sum- mer or fall are starting to look a bit more realistic. Penn State started holding in-person classes again in February after beginning the spring semester online, and the athletic schedule was busier than ever, with a number of fall sports teams opening their delayed seasons alongside the winter and spring teams. A year ago, the Nittany Lions didn't get in a single organized football practice before the pandemic put an end to spring sports activities throughout the country. Some other schools were more fortunate, including a few that Penn State faced in the fall. With four new assistant coaches on their staff last year, the Lions tried FIVE QUESTIONS The Nittany Lions are looking to find some answers this spring as they ramp up their preparations for the 2021 season GOING DEEP Sean Clifford will be working with his third offensive coor- dinator in as many seasons, with Yurcich taking over this spring. Photo courtesy of Penn State Ath- letics |