Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin can’t crack a joke without his words being twisted.

Some comments from this month’s media day featuring McGloin comparing himself to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady went viral, causing a stir among those who view the fifth-year senior as cocky.

“I don’t think we are too far apart, Tom Brady and myself,” McGloin said at the time. “But sure, we’ve watched him a lot over the spring and summer. I mean, who better to try and learn from than him?

“Hopefully, we’ll have some type of success like they did. But you can’t expect to go out and be the same as the New England Patriots.”

Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien spent the past five years working with New England, prompting frequent references to Brady throughout spring and preseason drills.

Speaking on a conference call with reporters Wednesday, McGloin, a journalism major, explained what some failed to understand: the Brady comparison was made in jest.

“It clearly was a joke,” McGloin said. “If you saw the video, you know I was laughing and the 15 to 20 media members around me were laughing with me.

“It was blown way out of proportion and whoever started that was just dumb to begin with. That sets the record straight there. You guys can write a story about that now.”

There’s never a dull moment when McGloin is involved.

On Saturday, the focus turns to football as McGloin opens the season as Penn State’s starting quarterback against Ohio University at Beaver Stadium.

McGloin, who split time with Rob Bolden the past two seasons, has never started a season opener.

“It’s a great feeling going in as the No. 1 quarterback,” he said. “It makes you believe your hard work in the spring and summer has paid off, and this is what you play for 12 Saturdays out of the year, and hopefully I can stay healthy and hopefully the team can stay healthy and we make this a very special day on Saturday.”

Recruit suspended for six games

Penn State football recruit Neiko Robinson has been suspended for six games by the Florida High School Athletic Association for his role in a fight during a preseason game last Friday, according to the Pensacola News Journal.

Robinson, a talented two-way player who transferred to Northview (Fla.) High School earlier this year, was ejected after throwing a punch in the fourth quarter. The scuffle that will cost Robinson more than half of his senior season stemmed from an overturned interception call involving his brother, Neino.

The FHSAA has a sportsmanship policy that includes an automatic six-game suspension for players involved in fights.

Northview begins it season Friday against John Paul Catholic. Robinson will be eligible to return Oct. 19 at Freeport.

Robinson orally committed to Penn State as a safety in June. He’s rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com.

Lions lose recruit

Penn State has lost another recruit.

Central Dauphin linebacker Zayd Issah informed the Nittany Lions coaching staff that he is reopening his commitment, Blue White Illustrated first reported on Wednesday night.

Issah, listed as a three-star recruit by recruiting website Rivals.com, originally committed to Penn State on June 29. The PIAA’s Class AAAA co-Player of the Year’s change of heart leaves ‘Linebacker U’ with just one incoming linebacker recruit in New Jersey’s Brandon Bell for next season.

Since the NCAA leveled its four-year bowl ban,

$60 million fine and heavy scholarship reductions against the Nittany Lions, Penn State has lost five recruits who decommitted after the sanctions were released.