Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- After learning Penn State school officials covered up allegations of sex abuse against Jerry Sandusky, the NCAA handed down its punishment on Monday.
Penn State is scheduled to take on rival Syracuse University at the new Meadowlands in New Jersey to open the 2013 season. “I still think it’s going to be a close game. I think a lot of people are still going to go just because it’s Penn State…still a good team no matter what,” said SU fan John Gallaresi.
With 70 games played against one another, Penn State is SU’s most storied rival on the gridiron, but sanctions headed down by the NCAA will certainly set them back on the football field.
“It seems to me they were pretty harsh, which was deserved,” said SU fan David Castle.
Some question whether the 2013 matchup with the Orange will still be as significant.
“It probably won’t because their status will be knocked down quite a few notches,” Castle continued.
Another fan, Jon Lee says, “I sure hope not. Because, you know, despite all this controversy, Penn State still has a great tradition as a football program.”
“I think it still has potential. I mean, that one action, we all have setbacks. So maybe they’ll fight even harder,” said SU fan Suzanne Odom.
And with history on their side, SU fans say sometimes can throw everything else out the window.
“I think it will still have the same realm, just because of the names that are involved: SU and Penn State, they’re big names, big schools,” said SU fan Leondra Polk.
The rivalry was expected to continue well beyond 2013. The two schools have been working on an agreement to play two more games in 2020 and 2021. One would be played at the Dome and the other at Penn State. Whether that plays out remains in question.
