Want to see the world and watch Penn State football? Better pack your bags. According to the Irish Times, details are expected to be announced in the next few days regarding a game between Penn State and the University of Central Florida at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland in 2014.
Notre Dame and The Navy opened the college season last year playing overseas in Ireland. Penn State coach Bill O’Brien has long supported the idea of giving his players a “substitute” bowl game. Penn State is currently serving a four year bowl ban following the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal.
Croke Park holds 82,300 at full capacity and was the home of the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2003 Special Olympics. The park opened in 1913 but was renovated in 2004.
Penn State will take on UCF this season on Sept 14 for a prime time 6:00 PM kick. O’Brien was a member of UCF Coach George O’Leary’s staff at Georgia Tech from 1995-2001. O’Brien was also a graduate assistant coach from 1995-97, running backs coach from 1998-2000 and was promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2001, O’Leary’s final season with the Yellow Jackets.
Penn State assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Stan Hixon and offensive line coach Mac McWhorter both coached with O’Leary and O’Brien at Georgia Tech. Jim Bernhardt, Penn State Special Assistant to the Head Coach and Director of Player of Development, was a member of O’Leary’s UCF staff as well.
