Around the Interwebs: Penn State Football Links for 4/23/2009

• More of the same from RB Evan Royster and the Penn State offense in 2009, according to a recent Associated Press article. [Philly.com]

"For the most part I think it'll be pretty much the same," the junior tailback said Thursday. "Why go away from what was working last year?"


• While coach Joe Paterno sweats over the ability, or perceived lack thereof, in the secondary, new starting safety Drew Astorino disagrees. With respect, of course. Astorino doesn't believe the secondary will be the weakest unit come the fall and he is looking to become the leader of the defensive backfield. With the graduation of Tony Davis, Lydell Sargeant, Mark Rubin, and Anthony Scirrotto, Astorino will be looked upon to lead a green unit. [Erie Times-News & The Daily Collegian]
• Devon and Mike 2 are profiling positions prior to the Blue-White game this Saturday. Thus far Devon has looked at the Tight Ends and Mike has done the offensive backfield and receivers. Expect more from them the rest of this week. [Nittany White Out & Zombie Nation]
• Vinnie Iyer interviewed Derrick Williams recently. Among the questions Iyer asks D-Will, who he refers to as Mr. Versatility (which is better than Mr. Irrelevant), is how playing for JoePa prepares someone for the NFL. [Sporting News]
  

When you play at Penn State, you know you're talented enough to play. There, you learn how it's important to commit to work ethic, not only to become a better player but also to help you through life. He teaches us to become well-respected members of the community.

• Nittany Network grabbed a few quotes from Ohio State players and coaches on their feelings toward the Penn State game. Anderson Russell stated that he looks forward to the game against the Nittany Lions, not the Wolverines, the most. OSU safeties coach Paul Haynes believes that the two schools are tops in the conference at the moment. Haynes goes on to praise Beaver Stadium and the fans that fill the seats. [Nittany Network]
  

“I think it’s a huge rivalry because to me their stadium is a tremendously tough place to play and they never rotate off our schedule,” Haynes said. “I go back to when we went there in ’05 (a 17-10 PSU victory) and it was nuts. It was crazy. And now really when I rate stadiums, that’s my Richter scale. I compare everything else to that Penn State environment that they have.

• Earlier this week the University was fined an undisclosed amount for Joe Paterno's actions following the Rose Bowl. The coach did not allow media access to the locker room after the game, violating the game contract between Penn State and the Tournament of Roses Committee. It is a requirement that all coaches allow access to their players in the locker room for all BCS games. Players still gave interviews following the gut-wrenching 38-24 loss to USC on New Year's Day but in the hallway not in the locker room. Sports Information Director Jeff Nelson acknowledged that it was Paterno's idea. [CBS Sports]
• Charlie has some interesting tidbits to pass along this week. First he chronicles the feelings of Brandon Felder towards Penn State and its coaches after he suffered a knee injury. Was his scholarship in trouble? At Alabama, maybe. Not at Penn State. Next Charlie looked at Penn State's effect on BCS Bowl Game TV ratings. Verdict? The public likes us. [Nittany White Out]
• Navorro Bowman, serving a 12 month probation sentence stemming from his role in the apartment fight in 2007, has had his probation increased another 12 months. A judge ruled this morning that Bowman, who violated his previous probation requirements by smoking marijuana twice since December, will be on probation until May 2010. During the next year he must complete his 100 hours of community service - of which he has completed a whopping 0 hours - pay the cost of the hearing, undergo immediate drug testing, be tested each month, and continually report to his probation officer. If any of these terms are broken Bowman will be sentenced to six months in prison. Yikes. Neither the University nor the football staff has commented on Bowman's status. [Read Between the Lions & Black Shoe Diaries]
• Fresh off news that Rutgers has been added to the football schedule in 2014-15 (as well as rumors that Miami could be added soon), there are some rumblings that Boston College could be next foe in Penn State's sights. The administration is certainly going out of there way to make sure this never happens again, aren't they? [BC All-Access]
• Anthony Miller has a small preview of the Blue-White game this weekend as well as a schedule of all the festivities set to take place. Wish I could be there! [Courier Post Online]