A ‘big step’ in college football, Penn State athletics reacts to USC, UCLA’s departure from PAC-12
UCLA and USC announced their intention to depart from the PAC-12 conference to the Big Ten on Thursday, bringing the total number of teams in the conference to 16.
USC brings 111 national championships across all athletic programs, along with UCLA’s 119, ranking second in the nation after Stanford (128). UCLA football holds a 39-33-3 record all-time against Big Ten opponents, while USC holds a 69-29-2 record against Big Ten teams. Penn State is 4-6 all-time against USC and 2-4 against UCLA.
In statements Thursday night, a number of leaders among Penn State administration and athletic program — including new Athletic Director Patrick Kraft, who officially took over from Sandy Barbour on Friday — weighed in on the impending move by USC and UCLA to the Big Ten.
Here’s what they said:
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi: “This is a thrilling evening for the Big Ten Conference. We welcome USC and UCLA with open arms as like-minded institutions that are as committed to high GPAs and graduation rates as they are to on-field excellence. It was an easy decision that will build upon our conference’s rich heritage. “
Athletic Director Patrick Kraft: “Penn State University is a proud member of the Big Ten Conference, and we welcome the addition of two world-class universities to our family. USC and UCLA are both synonymous with academic and athletics success and will be tremendous additions to our conference.”
Football head coach James Franklin: “This is another big step in the ever-changing college football landscape and we embrace the change. USC and UCLA are two institutions with a long-standing tradition of academic and athletic success. They will only strengthen our already very strong Big Ten Conference.”
Baseball head coach Rob Cooper: “The Big Ten has always been committed to competing for national championships, while achieving academic excellence in the classroom. The addition of USC and UCLA further illustrates this commitment. This is an exciting day for the Big Ten.”
Softball head coach Clarisa Crowell: “This is an exciting day for Big Ten softball with the addition of UCLA. Its strong softball tradition will continue to elevate the conference. From an overall conference perspective, the academic excellence at both UCLA and USC are in perfect alignment with the Big Ten. We welcome USC and UCLA to the B1G.”
Women’s soccer head coach Erica Dambach: “On behalf of the Penn State Women’s Soccer staff and our student-athletes, we are excited to welcome UCLA and USC to the Big Ten Conference. Both institutions have strong reputations in academics and athletics, and we could not be more thrilled for them to join our league. From a women’s soccer standpoint, these are two of the top programs nationally and will only help to solidify the Big Ten as THE premier conference in the country.”
Women’s basketball head coach Carolyn Kieger: “The Big Ten is a terrific conference in both academics and athletics. The two new institutions, UCLA and USC, fit that mold exactly. These two schools bring historical success and tradition in women’s basketball. I’m very excited for the future of our league.”
Penn State women’s volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley: “This is an exciting time for Big Ten women’s volleyball as we add two outstanding programs in UCLA and USC to what is already the best volleyball conference in the country. Their athletic success combined with their reputations as prestigious academic institutions make both schools a perfect fit for the Big Ten. These additions ensure our conference will be strong for years to come. I am happy to welcome both schools to the Big Ten!”
Penn State men’s basketball head coach Micah Shrewsberry: “The Big Ten has long been home to universities that compete at the highest level in both athletics and academics. UCLA and USC are not only two institutions whose values align with Big Ten, but whose basketball traditions will be great additions to bolster the Big Ten as the nation’s premiere basketball conference.”
The PAC-12 Conference, UCLA and USC released statements on the departure of both programs:
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) July 1, 2022
From UCLA's statement: "Although this move increases travel distances for teams, the resources offered by Big Ten membership may allow for more efficient transportation options."
Translation: We rich! Charters for everybody.— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) June 30, 2022
Others outside of the program discussed the ramifications that the move could have for collegiate athletics:
SoFi Stadium is now a potential target to host a future Big Ten Championship game, per @JoshHenschke pic.twitter.com/8PUs1SvTe4
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) July 1, 2022
In September of 2007, Nebraska (Big 12) played USC (Pac-10) and Maryland (ACC) played Rutgers (Big East). These are all now Big Ten conference games.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) June 30, 2022
Near the top of my curiosity list:
How in the world are they going to set the Olympic sports schedules for USC and UCLA teams in a manner that doesn't leave those athletes exhausted in every manner by the end of their seasons?— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) July 1, 2022
Multiple sources tell @latimes that no other Pac-12 members are expected to be added to the Big Ten at this time.
Oregon, Washington, Stanford, etc. will not be following USC and UCLA.— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) July 1, 2022
it's wild how fast college sports news moves today. UCLA and USC had been in the same conference for 100 years and still were at noon PT today & now they're not. Back in my day we spent months chasing a single "Boise State to the Pac-10" rumor from a random guy on a message board
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) July 1, 2022
When USC and UCLA see an opponent bring in a fullback. pic.twitter.com/pmPMKInok6
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) June 30, 2022
You think USC and UCLA are for this?pic.twitter.com/eNp8FDupB2
— Nolan (@Boilermakers4er) June 30, 2022
Big Ten school with the most Rose Bowl wins…is now USC.
— Scott Enyeart (@ScottEnyeart) July 1, 2022
USC plans to continue its annual tradition of playing Notre Dame. The storied football rivalry began in 1926 and will continue with USC in the Big Ten. A lot will obviously change with USC leaving the Pac-12 but the Trojans will still play UCLA and Notre Dame every season.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 1, 2022
Several schools - most of them from the Pac-12 - have contacted the Big Ten about joining the conference, sources tells @SINow.
The Big Ten, as they did USC and UCLA, will review and study potential options, but nothing is expected soon/imminent.— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) June 30, 2022
The SEC adding Oklahoma and Texas is cute, but the Big Ten is putting on a masterclass in expansion if USC and UCLA actually join.
Imagine the payout that will come from the current TV negotiations for a conference stretching from NYC + D.C. to Chicago across the midwest to LA.— Wesley Brown (@W_Brown21) June 30, 2022
The Big Ten's footprint now will consist of schools in five of the seven largest metro markets: 1. New York; 2. Los Angeles; 3. Chicago; 6. Washington D.C.; 7. Philadelphia.
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) June 30, 2022
USC. Penn State. Middle of Pennsylvania. 3:30 pm. Late November. 10 degrees. A bit of snow. This is how football was meant to be.
— Penn State FB Thoughts (@PSU_FB_Thoughts) July 1, 2022
on usc/ucla: i'm surprised the state legislature would go for a move to the big ten, but i'd bet every single university president would want to move its school to the big ten. of the p5 conferences, it's the only one that's a true name brand with academics.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) June 30, 2022
