Breaking News

Neil Rudel's Commentary

PSU all in with hiring of Knowles

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com When it comes to recruiting, James Franklin rarely takes a backseat. He proved that again Sunday when he lured Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, to Penn State. Of course, money helped. Franklin has often talked about being “aligned” with Penn State’s administration, specifically Athletic Director Pat Kraft, President Neeli Bendapudi and the Board of Trustees’ core leadership. And it’s clear the Nittany Lions’ leadership is all in —at just about any cost. With a three-year, $9.3 million contact, Knowles ...

Retention gets Lions quick start on ’25

Some followup notes from the 2024 season while looking ahead at 2025: n This week has proven, once again, James Franklin is better off the field than he is on it. Fresh from another come-from-ahead loss in a big game, this one to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal, the Nittany Lions got home Friday, and by Monday, Franklin had convinced his top players with eligibility remaining to return for 2025. His results were as impressive as the Lions’ late-game execution vs. the Irish was not. Both 1,000-yard running backs, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, will be ...

Franklin can’t seem to escape disappointment

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — It’s difficult to get to within a field goal of playing for the national championship and still consider this a disappointing season. So I won’t do that. But certainly, Thursday night brought a disappointing ending to a memorable year, and the disappointment is ...

The sun sets on PSU’s season

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — James Franklin talked all week about this being a “four-quarter game,” and boy was he right. Though the Nittany Lions got off to strong start, outrushed Notre Dame 141-15 in the first half and looked like they were the better team, the Fighting Irish never flinched and answered every challenge. Notre Dame has a famous sign hanging in its locker room that reads, “Play like a champion,” and the Fighting Irish certainly did. Their 27-24 victory in the College Football Playoff semifinal will be etched as the ...

Franklin, Freeman in a race for glory that awaits winner

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com FORT LAUDERDALE — History is being pursued here on several fronts. As the Nittany Lions stalk their first national championship since 1987, James Franklin — and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman — are also vying to become the first ...

Ex-Lion Golden ‘staying in moment’

FORT LAUDERDALE — Forgive Al Golden if he feels like he’s living in a time warp. The former 1990 Nittany Lion team captain currently serves as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator. Golden is now scheming to stop Penn State in Thursday’s College Football Playoff semifinal (7:30 p.m. ...