Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/787374
T H E M O N T H I N . . . Best quarterback-running back duo in the country? It's quite possibly in State College, where Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley return. James Franklin will have a veteran team that could dig down for reinforcements from a recruiting class that finished No. 17 [in ESPN's rankings]. BRIAN BENNETT ESPN.COM What does James Franklin do for a Big Ten encore? Perhaps win the league again. Once again, the Nits will battle Ohio State in the Big Ten East. Trace Mc- Sorley is a gunslinger. Saquon Barkley is simply one of the best tailbacks in the country. DENNIS DODD CBSSPORTS.COM Penn State's remarkable in-season turnaround should leave the program buoyant going into the 2017 season. Moreover, the majority of the players that were respon- sible for the spectacle in the Rose Bowl look set to return, giving the Nittany Lions a legitimate chance to retain their Big Ten crown, and force their way into the play- off picture. Chief among the returners are running back Saquon Barkley and quar- terback Trace McSorley, who give Penn State one of the most dynamic backfields in the nation. KEVIN CONNAGHAN PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS Penn State took a minus-15 hit from 3-point range and still led this game [against Maryland on Feb. 7] practically wire-to-wire, leading by double digits for a large chunk of it. Payton Banks and Shep Garner were virtual nonentities (1-of-11 3PG) and it did not matter. At some point Chambers is going to have to recruit a [Kevin] Huerter-type driveway bomber to complete his array. But, right now, he has only two decent snipers who don't do a lot else, while he's overflowing with terrific athletes unlike any such group in PSU history. In Watkins, Stevens, Carr, Reaves and, yes, Bostick, he has five specimens who can play on any college court in America, including Rupp, Pauley, the Dean Dome and the Phog. At this point in the season, it's probably time he embraced what this team is and emphasize the guys who bring the fluid speed and hops and embody the best of who he is as a great defensive coach. DAVID JONES PENNLIVE.COM Penn State's future depends on its youth, so it may as well get its leadership from there, too. And so the Nittany Lions will turn to freshman Tony Carr as a team captain, a first under head coach Pat Chambers, who has reserved that role for veteran players. Carr is now working alongside Shep Garner, Payton Banks and Terrence Samuel in Penn State's captaincy group. The three upper- classmen started the season with that role. "I think Tony is ready for that torch," Chambers said. "He's ready and he's willing, and he wants it. And we're gonna give it to him." BEN JONES STATECOLLEGE.COM I think that what you just want to constantly be doing as players and as coaches and as programs is evolving and growing and not letting small setbacks and moments of time affect your overall development. And I think Trace has really got a good feel and maturity and foundation to be able to do those types of things. JAMES FRANKLIN on Trace McSorley's maturation O P I N I O N S Q U O T E S FOOTBALL Blue-White Game set for 3 p.m. kickoff Now that signing day has come and gone, the next big public event on Penn State's football calendar is the Blue- White Game. The Nittany Lions' annual spring scrimmage is set to take place at 3 p.m. April 22 in Beaver Stadium and will serve as the centerpiece for a weekend of Penn State activities. On the heels of an 11-3 season and a strong recruiting e:ort, James Franklin said he wants the spring game to be a part of Penn State's upswing. "We have to keep headed in this direc- tion," he said. "Right now things are going really well. I think a big statement that could be made is for us to sell out the spring game – 107,000 people would make a tremendous statement across this country about Penn State football and where we're headed." As in previous years, admission will be free for the Blue-White Game. Season ticket and season parking holders from the 2016 season received a white 2017 Blue-White Game parking permit with their 2016 tickets and parking permit sheet last summer. Fans attending the Blue-White Game who did not have 2016 season tickets and a season parking permit will be charged for parking for the intrasquad scrimmage. During Blue-White Week- end, there will be a $20 charge (cash only) for game day RVs and cars and a $60 charge (cash only) for the overnight RV lot (for all fans that arrive on Friday with an RV). Buses also will be charged $60 (cash only). Fans are encouraged to purchase Blue- White Game car and RV parking permits in advance. The permits can be pur- chased for $20 by calling 1-800-NIT- TANY (weekdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.), or by logging onto their Account Manager or creating an account at GoPSUsports.com/tickets. Advance parking purchases by phone and online will end at 5 p.m. on April 7. ■