November 05 to 11, 2011
Jerry Sandusky is indicted on multiple accounts of child molestation. University VP and Athletic Director are indicted on counts of perjury before the grand jury.
University President Spanier gives a statement saying that the legal process must be observed and pending the outcome of that both Curley and Schultz will be on administrative leave.
Spanier and head football coach Joe Paterno meet with the full board of trustees to go over everything relevant to all the criminal indictments. Secure in the knowledge that this is not a Penn State scandal, not a Penn State football scandal and certainly not a Joe Paterno scandal, Coach Paterno is authorized to hold a press conference to quiet the growing media storm.
Addressing the national press corps. Coach Paterno lays out the FACTS of the situation and outlines how all steps were taken within the football program to address any allegations concerning Mr. Sandusky.
The Penn State Board of Trustees announce that they will conduct an open and transparent investigation into any areas where the Sandusky situation may have effected Penn State. These investigations will carry out through any and all criminal trials associated with the case.
November 12, 2011
Joe Paterno leads the Penn State Nittany Lions over the Nebraska Cornhuskers by a score of 45-23 giving him win number 410.
December 03, 2011
After winning their final three games the Paterno led Nittany Lions defeat Michigan State in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game earning a berth in the Rose Bowl.
December 05, 2011
Coach Paterno holds a press conference and announces that due to a diagnosis of lung cancer, the Rose Bowl will be his last as head coach of Penn State and that he has been working diligently behind the scenes to ensure his succession. Urban Meyer is announced as the first new head coach of Penn State in 46 years and promises to uphold Joe Paterno's legacy of Success With Honor
January 2, 2011
Penn State defeats a favored Oregon squad by the score of 45-17 in the Rose Bowl. Joe Paterno is carried off the field on the shoulders of his team one last time.
February 2012
Urban Meyer puts together the top rated recruiting class in the country heading into the 2013 season.
July 2012
Following the Sandusky trial, the ncaa announces that barring any surprise findings in the perjury trials of Schultz or Curley, there will be no sanctions against the Penn State football program and commends the university and Joe Paterno for being a model of ncaa compliance for over four decades.
September 01. 2012
Ranked #3 in the preseason polls, Penn State takes the field against Ohio U. at Beaver Stadium. At halftime, a frail but feisty Joe Paterno--who is reported to have undergone his chemotherapy with amazing resilience for a man his age--walks out to midfield without assistance to receive the thunderous ovation of one hundred eight thousand grateful Penn State students, alumni and fans. There is not a dry eye in the stadium as he walks off the field.