Nearly year after taking over, PSU acting AD Joyner gives O'Brien 'A+', optimistic for future

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Dave Joyner's first hire as Penn State acting athletic director has worked out well so far.

Joyner said he would give first-year coach Bill O'Brien and his players grades of "A-plus" for their performances so far. Penn State is 5-3 going into this weekend's game at Purdue.

Nearly a year after taking over in the fallout from the Jerry Sandusky abuse scandal, Joyner expressed optimism about the direction of athletics and the football program saddled with strict NCAA sanctions.

Sandusky, a former assistant coach, was arrested last Nov. 5, igniting a scandal that cost former coach Joe Paterno his job.

Joyner also said athletics, like the rest of the university, is focused on moving forward.