Penn State and SMU are both attempting to reshape history as they prepare for their College Football Playoff debuts. The stakes are high, and the journey to this point has been filled with challenges and determination.
DaQuan Jones recalls the tumultuous times. The confusion. The penalties. The recovery.
How could he forget? He and his fellow Penn State teammates—those who remained—endured it all.
It marked a pivotal moment.
“The program could have completely collapsed,” Jones stated.
Yet it didn’t. While some players sought new beginnings elsewhere, Jones chose to stay. Bill O’Brien faced the daunting task of filling the shoes of a legendary figure. Walk-ons stepped in to fill the gaps left by the NCAA’s imposed scholarship cuts, which had shaken the university to its core.
The situation was precarious. Nevertheless, during these uncertain times, the Nittany Lions began the careful process of rebuilding, fully aware of the challenges ahead.
For Jones, now an 11-year NFL veteran and a starting player for the Buffalo Bills, these memories remain vivid. Since graduating in 2014, he has closely followed his alma mater’s progress and can clearly see the connection between the struggles following the Sandusky scandal and the opportunity that lies ahead for Penn State. This Saturday, the sixth-seeded Nittany Lions (11-2) will host 11th-seeded SMU (11-2) in the College Football Playoff’s opening round.
“It all began with the strong foundation laid by those who remained in 2012,” he remarked. “I’m thrilled to see how well the program is performing.”
Penn State’s inaugural playoff invitation serves as a significant moment for coach James Franklin, who faces a passionate fan base eager for the program to break into the national championship conversation. For former players now spread across the NFL, this occasion is a cause for celebration.
“The dark days of Penn State are finally behind us,” said Connor McGovern, an offensive lineman from the 2016 team that won the Big Ten title and helped shift the narrative.
The shadow of Sandusky still lingers—his recent re-sentencing highlighted the ongoing struggles—but the university has worked diligently to restore its reputation. It aims to be a place where athletes excel on the field and graduate with integrity, fully aware that any misstep will be scrutinized.
The players who have donned the iconic blue-and-white jerseys recognize the hard work that has led to this moment, understanding how improbable it once seemed.
“Coach O’Brien played a crucial role in keeping the program afloat,” noted Pat Freiermuth, a tight end with the Pittsburgh Steelers and a three-year starter for the Nittany Lions. “He faced the tough challenge of maintaining respectability, and coach Franklin has built upon that foundation. I’m grateful to be part of this family.”
Penn State won’t be alone in carrying historical weight onto the field at Beaver Stadium.
SMU, once a national powerhouse in the early 1980s, went 11-0-1 in 1982 but was later penalized with the death penalty due to a pay-for-play scandal.
This resurgence of success for SMU is a product of hard work over the years, as coach Rhett Lashlee pointed out, referencing the efforts of predecessors like June Jones and Sonny Dykes.
“It’s like trying to open a pickle jar,” Lashlee explained. “Many tried to get the lid off, but when we arrived, we were able to pop it off because of all the groundwork laid by those before us.”
Those who experienced near misses in the past often reflect on what could have been.
“We could have made it almost every year, which would have been great to experience,” said Sean Clifford, a four-year starting quarterback from 2019-22, whose younger brother Liam is a junior wide receiver on this year’s team.
Clifford, now with the Green Bay Packers practice squad, added that he holds no grudges, humorously noting that “many changes in the NCAA would have suited me well.”
Miami Dolphins rookie linebacker Chop Robinson praised Franklin for treating his players with respect, saying, “He treats you like a man, as long as you approach everything like a man. That’s what I appreciated about him.”
Robinson and others are aware of the criticism directed at Franklin, particularly regarding his record against top 10 teams.
“If they don’t advance far, the calls for ‘fire Franklin’ will resurface,” Stout remarked. “I believe that’s not the right approach.”
As the moment draws near, Jones reflects on the journey the Nittany Lions have taken to reach this point.
He recognizes the painful losses to teams like Ohio State but also remembers the resilience of those early teams filled with walk-ons, who persevered when the scars from Sandusky’s actions were still fresh.
Those players laid the groundwork for the current Nittany Lions to thrive. If Penn State finds itself competing in January, Jones knows that the journey began long before this season.
“That’s what Penn State stands for,” Jones concluded. “A hardworking community that puts its head down, avoids seeking glory, and focuses on collecting victories.”
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