The Penn State Nittany Lions received the best gift a team could ask for--they had the remaining two years of NCAA sanctions removed and will have a full slate of scholarships starting in the 2015-16’ season.

The NCAA announced Monday that, effective immediately, the Nittany Lions would regain bowl eligibility and their lost scholarships on the recommendation of Penn State’s athletics integrity monitor, former Sen. George Mitchell.

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"Penn State has made remarkable progress over the past year," said South Carolina president Harris Pastides, a member of the NCAA's board of directors. "The board members and I believe the executive committee's decision is the right one. It allows both the university and the association to continue to move toward a common goal of ensuring that educating, nurturing and protecting young people is a top priority.”

Penn State must still pay the $60 million fine and forfeit the 111 wins under Joe Paterno due to the NCAA sanctions. Penn State returns to the land of bowl eligibility for the first time in two seasons and will have the full 85 scholarships despite already having a top 10 recruiting class for the 2015 season.

Maryland, Penn State Newest Big Ten Rivalry?

Penn State is 2-0 and opens up their Big Ten schedule against the, newly added, Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday. Look for Penn State to earn a bowl season birth and the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville or the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.

[ESPN]

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