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State. They have done an exemplary job of managing and maintaining its public image. On the field, however, the reali- ties of roster management – transfers, early NFL departures, and yes, the on- going effects of the NCAA sanctions – continue to affect the program's out- look. Take, for example, Penn State's de- parting and incoming senior classes. Although the Nittany Lions trotted out a total of 17 seniors for the final home game of the season against Michigan State, only 10 were scholarship players. Of those, two had been given grants af- ter arriving at Penn State as preferred walk-ons. The dearth of senior leadership had a noticeable impact on the team's per- formance this past season, and while that void will eventually shrink, it won't happen in 2015. In fact, due to the early departures of James, Deion Barnes and Donovan Smith, a thin senior class is al- ready down to nine total scholarship players. And spring practice hasn't even started yet. As a result, Penn State will find itself with back-to-back senior classes of 10 and nine players, respectively. Among the younger classes, the break- down is more evenly distributed. The junior, sophomore, redshirt freshman and incoming true freshman classes will cap out at roughly 15-20 players apiece this coming season. But as Franklin has noted repeatedly, the positional scholar- ship distribution creates another set of glaring problems. For example, the offensive line's biggest problem this past season – in- experience – will persist into 2015 fol- lowing the departure of Smith and Miles Dieffenbach. With only one scholarship senior – Angelo Mangiro – set to return, the unit will be forced to rely heavily on guys with only one season of real play- ing experience: Brendan Mahon, An- drew Nelson, Derek Dowrey and Brian Gaia. There are concerns on defense, as well. The Nittany Lions ranked second na- tionally in total defense this past season, and their performance on that side of the ball kept them competitive in nearly every game. But serious questions have arisen with the departure of ends Barnes and C.J. Olaniyan and Brad Bars. In fact, a quick glance at the projected scholar- ship roster shows there will be only four recruited defensive ends on campus for spring practice. At defensive tackle, only five scholarship athletes remain, with none committed for the Class of 2015. And, while the team will have more players on scholarship than it did last spring when its total dipped to a stag- gering 51, the uptick will not put it on par with its rivals. It's expected that Penn State will have 59 scholarship players this off-season – a sobering re- minder of the sanctions' lingering ef- fect. As Franklin hinted throughout last season, the Lions aren't going to be able to get to 85 even if they pull out all the stops. And none of this addresses the possibility – or inevitability – of injury. It's important to put these problems into context. While there remain areas of legitimate, serious concern heading into the spring and next season, the plan is still on schedule and headed in a direc- tion that Penn State fans should like. The Nittany Lions' 2015 recruiting class was ranked 11th by Rivals.com as of this writing. A sold-out crowd with a seriously heavy Penn State skew showed up in the Bronx to see the Nittany Lions play in the Pinstripe Bowl. The atten- dance figures were up in Beaver Stadi- um, too, and those fans saw a number of young, talented players emerge as po- tential stars. "We're all a part of this," Franklin said. "I think we've been fractured the past three years. But I think experiences and games like this have restored the hope, and everybody has a part in that. "I believe when Penn State is together and when we're all pulling the rope in the same direction and doing what's best for the students, and the players, and the community as a whole, then the sky is very high at Penn State." He's right. But the journey to get there just might require more patience than Penn State fans have in reserve. ■ 111 E. Beaver Ave s State College, PA 16801 www.The-Phyrst.com 814.234.4406 137 Elmwood St. s State College, PA 16801 www.HappyValleyBeer.com Wood-fire Grill 12 Beers on Tap 200 Year Old Barn 821 Cricklewood Dr. s Toftrees, State College www.AmericanAleHouse.net 814.237.9701 s Piano Bar s Sommelier 814.238.1406 814.234.7700 s 1611 Atherton St. s State College 814.941.7788 s Plank Rd. Exit s Altoona www.ChampsSportsGrill.net s Best Game Bar s Large Groups Welcome c lc e W We s p u o r G e g r a L s a e B m a st G e B s S n S h 1 A 1 6 1 0 0 7 7 4. 3 2 4. 1 8 me co r a l l C S r G s rt o p S s p m a h C . www s t i x . E d k R n a l P s 8 8 7 7 1. 4 9 . 4 1 8 S s . t n S o t r e h t 1 A 1 6 1 s 0 0 7 7 4. 3 2 4. 1 8 t e n . l l i r na o o t l A e g e l l o C e at t S

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