Penn State coach Bill O’Brien wants to bring one NFL idea to college football.
O’Brien said on his weekly radio show Thursday that he endorses a preseason scrimmage against somebody else.
His NFL thinking isn’t surprising. O’Brien, after all, spent the past five years with the New England Patriots. Assistants Stan Hixon and
Charles London also worked in the NFL season last season. NFL teams end the four-game preseason this week.
“Personally, I think that’s a great idea,” O’Brien said. “In the NFL, the preseason games really helped, especially the third when you play your starters three quarters or sometimes the whole game. That was a really good gauge of your team. I would love to play another opponent in Beaver Stadium or even travel to scrimmage another opponent.”
Penn State’s preseason camp, which started Aug. 6, consisted of four scrimmages at Beaver Stadium. The scrimmages featured game-like situations, including coaches in the press box.
“That’s a big deal,” O’Brien said. “A lot of these coaches I have coached with before and we already have a good rapport with each other and how it’s going to work on gameday. But we haven’t coached together in a long time. We did that in training camp and that will help with us our operation Saturday.”
O’Brien begins his first season Saturday against Ohio University at Beaver Stadium. The game marks his first as a head coach at any level.
Beaver Stadium changes announced
Penn State announced multiple Beaver Stadiums changes Thursday. Notable ones include wireless internet throughout the stadium, the creation of a mobile Beaver Stadium app, credit and debit cards being accepted at concession stands and an expansion of the overnight RV lot by 140 spaces.
The ADA parking lot at the Shields Building will be limited and Lot 21 will not available this season because of construction. Fans are also not permitted to shower at the IM Building, Rec Hall, White Building and the Natatorium due to a new University policy.
Guy Cipriano can be reached at 231-4643. Follow him on Twitter @cdtguy
