NCAA must address

opting out of bowls

As a Penn Stater, class of 1963, I was disappointed with six starting football players who dropped out of the recent Outback Bowl.

Five were defensive starters, which crippled the Penn State defense.

Coach James Franklin said it was the worst bowl opt-out situation he has experienced. Happily, the Big Ten record in the bowls was 6-4.

Players dropping out of bowl games for fear of being injured prior to the NFL draft is disconcerting. Injuries can occur anytime during their careers.

Most of the players were on four-year scholarships and committed to play the football seasons, which includes bowl games.

The NCAA and athletic conferences have to address this problem because it demeans the significance of bowl games and compromises the spirit of college athletics.

Michigan’s Heisman Trophy runnerup, Aidan Hutchinson, summed why players should not opt out, stating, “We wouldn’t leave our team out to dry ever just for all the work we’ve put in.”

Maybe NFL teams should question the loyalty of these bowl drop-out players.

Additionally, what about the college football coaches who took jobs with other schools and did not coach their previous teams in bowl games?

Donald Moskowitz

Londonderry N.H.

Franklin being paid to solve PSU’s problems

When one makes the big bucks as James Franklin does, you have to make the hard decisions for the good of the overall team.

Having Sean Clifford start next year is not in the best interest of Penn State. One could argue that Clifford is regressing. His mechanics do not improve.

Start one of the young quarterbacks as the Lions move forward into a hopefully better era. Also, just when will this football team develop a real offensive line?

I am quite frankly stunned that Nick Singleton has chosen the Lions after watching the beyond pitiful push (or non-push actually) from this group of 300-plus pounders in this “non-elite” program.

Nevin Dierwechter

Lititz

Lions showing progress under Shrewsberry

In his first year with loyal veterans coming back along with some transfers, Penn State basketball coach Micah Shrewsberry has come up with a plan that looks like it might work.

His experience with Purdue along with that gained from working with the Boston Celtics seems like a gem.

His team is now 3-3 in the middle of the Big Ten pack and 8-6 overall. In his second year, his recruiting should pick up with his own style of players.

Les Hart

Duncansville