Blue White Illustrated

T H E M O N T H I N . . . So today, on Feb. 2, as Franklin readies to receive his second class of recruits and the first full group that is fully his own, he'll most certainly be at Penn State again at this time next year – for both his birthday and his third recruiting class. (Kind of a rarity at PSU lately.) Perhaps, then, Franklin's biggest gift right now – for giving and for receiving, forgiving and believing – is his presence. His ever-present, posi- tive presence. But as the coach himself knows better than anyone, it's not a real celebration until you wrap up a lot of victories. MIKE POORMAN STATECOLLEGE.COM The Lions might not seem like a realistic candidate to some [to make the New Year's Six in 2015], but their schedule and potential for improvement on offense gives them an outside chance. They don't play a Power 5 opponent in non-league play and have five of their first six games at Beaver Stadium. A 6-0 start certainly is possible. Penn State obviously needs significant improvement from an offen- sive line that will be deeper at most spots. Quarterback Christian Hackenberg is still a special talent and has weapons around him. The defense might not be quite as dominant but should hold up well under Bob Shoop's direction. Trips to Ohio State and Michigan State will be tough, but if Penn State gains a split, it could enter NY6 contention. ADAM RITTENBERG ESPN.COM It's no secret that Penn State's recruiting slipped during the last half-dozen years of the Paterno Era, but that doesn't mean his posture toward shielding freshmen was wrong. It was just his way. Just as Franklin's polar-opposite approach in breaking down the Lions' impressive in-state haul and their stockpiling of four- star players – not to mention his breakdown of the past few years in both cate- gories – isn't wrong. It's just his way. NEIL RUDEL ALTOONA MIRROR For Tim to come from Maine [of the NBA Development League], drive up I-95, change his uniform and go get 34 minutes in an NBA game, that's a hell of a story. And to that kid's credit, he delivered. He did well. BRETT BROWN, 76ers coach, on Tim Frazier's NBA debut vs. Boston As much as I love you, and love ESPN, I'm not really sure who handled your wardrobe this morning. JAMES FRANKLIN on the red sweater that reporter Britt McHenry wore on signing day B on my first anatomy exam and I didn't study. I'll take it. BRYANT HARPER @HarperJR21 @HarperJR21... You didn't study huh? Interesting. I guess I need to up your study hall hours! We don't settle for B's! JAMES FRANKLIN @coachjfranklin Props to our #LBU old head @ben_kline38 for kickin butt this morning [in winter workouts]! Big Ben coming back strong! BRENT PRY @CoachPry_LBU T W E E T S O P I N I O N S Q U O T E S FOOTBALL Penn State to share in bowl revenue Penn State will begin receiving its share of Big Ten bowl revenue in 2015 following a decision Feb. 11 by the league's Council of Presidents/Chancel- lors to end a penalty that had been handed down alongside the NCAA sanc- tions in 2012. For the past two years, Penn State's share of conference bowl revenues was divided equally among other Big Ten schools and was distributed to child-fo- cused organizations in their local com- munities. This past season, Big Ten schools re- ceived $4.7 million apiece after 10 con- ference teams played in bowl games. The conference received an additional $6 million from Ohio State's appearance in the College Football Playoff and Michi- gan State's appearance in the Cotton Bowl. This year, the payout is expected to be $6.9 million per team. "We are grateful to the Big Ten and the Council of Presidents and Chancellors for their decision to restore Penn State's share of the conference bowl revenues to the university in the upcoming football season," Penn State president Eric Bar- ron said in a prepared statement. "These funds will help to support our 31 teams and more than 850 student-athletes. "While we are pleased with the deci- sion, we will not waver in our commit- ment to prevent child abuse, to maintain our leading compliance and safety pro- grams, and to continue to invest in our teaching and research efforts focused on child abuse prevention and treatment." Athletics director Sandy Barbour added that the university is "very appre- ciative of the decision made by the con- ference presidents and chancellors, as these funds are vital to our ability to continue to create the very best condi- tions for success for our student-ath- letes. This is yet another step in allowing today's student-athletes all the oppor- tunities they deserve." ■

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