Pitt has posted video of the nearly 16 minute press conference with AD Steve Pederson. Not much in the way of revelations in it.

Pitt has paid $2.5 million to the Big East back in September when it was announced Pitt was heading to the ACC. He didn’t specify when or how Pitt was going to pay the other $5 million, but made it clear that it wouldn’t be hard to do since Pitt will make that difference up in TV revenue in the ACC.

He defended the lawsuit, sticking with the argument that it was the catalyst to get movement on the settlement going. Didn’t really expect him to say, “Yeah, that was a waste of time.”

Apparently Pitt and Cuse were negotiating separately with the Big East. Okay.

Ryan Turnley wasn’t just battling injuries in one foot all season last year. No, it was both feet.

Turnley initially got hurt against Utah. He says the injury was a shock to the system, particularly because he never really had one as serious during his career. The following week against UConn, he hurt his other foot.

“The thing about the one in the UConn game was that it was on a screen,” Turnley recalled. “I was pulling out to the left. I went to cut a linebacker, and it felt like the sole of my shoe ripped out, that’s the sound it made and the feeling I had. I got up on my feet, and I said, ‘It happened again. I can’t believe it.’ We completed the pass, and we ran a hurry-up no huddle, so I limped my way over to the line and snapped the ball. I didn’t have time to think about it. I went to the sideline, then to the locker room for pain medicine, and came back.”

Turnley ended up with torn plantar fascia in both feet. On crutches all week, but was in for every snap of every game. He converted to center last spring. As much out of need by Pitt as there was for an opportunity to play. He proved to be far, far better than anyone expected.

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We have been inundated with opinions regarding the possible penalties that could or should be given to Penn State as a result of the 14 year cover up of child sex abuse that happened within the university’s football facilities and elsewhere by Jerry Sandusky along with clear knowledge and non-reporting of it happening by Joe Paterno, Gary Schultz, Tim Curley and President Gary Spanier.

Murder’s Row.

Those opinions on punishment have ranged from the NCAA washing their hands of the responsibility of oversight by doing nothing because “It is a criminal matter not a football issue” to the NCAA giving PSU a five year death penalty and a 14 year bowl ban.  Both are ridiculous in their extremes.  Something is going to happen here and we await their decision.

Here is an article that lists four alternatives other than the Death Penalty.  Sorry, but I read these and it makes my skin crawl with the preemptive assumtions that PSU somehow deserves lienency.

“Realistically, there is no form of justice the NCAA has the authority to hand down that could rectify the horrors that unfolded for the victims of Jerry Sandusky; the major players in the case have either passed away or are already, or may soon, face trial, leaving behind only a shattered shell of what once was Happy Valley.

To impose the Death Penalty on Penn State would not only punish those left behind, but potentially cause economic chaos in a town driven greatly by the existence of the Penn State football program. “

Huh, “the shattered shell of what once was Happy Valley“.  Well, he certainly knows how to turn a phrase as well as turn his back from the actual perpetrators in this case which is the University administration, you know, the guys who were mandated to actually live the ethical lives they espoused in public.  Sandusky was just the public criminal face of the horrors and to deflect either blame or punishment from where it also rightfully lies is only perpetrating the damage.

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Just remember Pitt, nothing stupid in 347 days. Keep it simple.

Not much new since last night. A few more comments. Another press release.

Here’s the statement from the ACC.

“Today’s announcement that Pitt will be joining the ACC on July 1, 2013 is terrific one. It’s exciting to know that both Pitt and Syracuse will become playing members in the ACC starting with the 2013-14 academic year. I’m pleased that both schools were able to finalize agreements with the Big East. The ACC has long enjoyed a rich tradition of balancing academics and athletics and the addition of Pitt and Syracuse further strengthens this conference. Throughout this past year, we’ve been preparing to welcome both teams into our membership and we look forward to the future of the ACC with these two schools as prominent members.”

It’s nice to have it official. But everyone knew this was coming.

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