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Penn State program needs more discipline

The next time James Franklin reviews video with his team, he may want to point out that you only get six points for a touchdown. There are no extra points added for somersaulting into the end zone or for flexing, posing or waving a finger to the crowd. There are no style points given. What it ought to get a player is a seat on the bench. If you succeed on the field, go to the bench and be grateful you helped the team. But then I guess times have changed. Big games are either won or lost by being disciplined and respectful. Nowadays, it is all about me or NIL. Denny ...

College football system ‘out of whack’

By Jim Caltagirone For the Mirror Joe Paterno was fond of using the phrase “out of whack” to describe situations or performances that did not conform to normal standards or match expectations for achievement. You need not be a coaching legend to conclude that there is plenty out of whack on the business side of college football these days. It remains possible to love the sport while detesting developments which have transformed supposedly amateur athletes into entrepreneurs and college programs into small economies. Just as heads stopped shaking over a flurry of ...

Good to have Vols back in the spotlight

By Paul Newberry The Associated Press Welcome back, Rocky Top. How long have you been away? Fifteen years! Has it really be that long? In some ways, it seems like only yesterday Tennessee was a Southeastern Conference powerhouse — the program of Johnny Majors and Phillip Fulmer, of Peyton Manning and Reggie White, of major bowls and national titles. Then again, the glory days must feel like a lifetime ago to the orange-clad faithful. Embarrassing losses, inept coaches and a decade-and-a-half-long banishment to the island of irrelevance in the the country’s mightiest ...

PSU beer sales need enforced

I am concerned with the lack of security in the stands at Beaver Stadium and how can the beer vendors really know how inebriated a customer might be. It’s easy to look sober for a minute while in front of the vendor. Case in point: I sat next to someone at the White Out who continuously used the F-bomb to criticize Sean Clifford. Our whole section was amazed when he came back after halftime with two more beers. Needless to say, the cursing only got worse. Shouldn’t Beaver Stadium be obligated to up the security if they continue to sell beer? As a side note, I am a ...

MLB playoffs can drive fans through roof

By Bill Contz For the Mirror Through the first two games of what has become a bi-annual post-season feud between the Yankees and Astros, it appeared New York’s Bronx Bombers were certainly doing their part to live up to their gaudy nickname by swinging for the fences (and missing) at a near-record pace. In a series dominated by Houston’s starting pitching, way too many of the total outs recorded by the Astros occurred without the Yankees putting the ball in play. Society hasn’t encountered this many whiffs since Coco Chanel unveiled her No. 5 fragrance during the early ...

Brady, unfortunately, part of this top 10 list

By Paul Newberry The Associated Press An athlete’s decision to retire has long been a perplexing one, especially for those who’ve been at the top of the game. The passion and relentlessness that pushes someone to succeed at the highest levels can make the real world feel so unfulfilling. Even if one does muster the fortitude to step away from the adulation and fame and wealth, the urge to return can be overwhelming. Which brings us to Tom Brady. Each week makes it more and more apparent that his stunning decision to return to the NFL after a 40-day retirement is one he’ll ...