With the season over, the gag order was lifted. Penn State assistant coaches typically don't speak to the media under normal circumstances, but after Saturday's season finale, defensive coordinator Tom Bradley and quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno were made available.

Absent, however, was Jay Paterno's playcalling partner, offensive coordinator Galen Hall. But despite any controversies that have swirled around Hall's happiness about his role on staff, several assurances were made that he would be back for next season.

"Yeah, sure he's gonna come back," Joe Paterno said, dismissing rumors that Hall wouldn't be returning for a second season.

Zack Mills reinforced Paterno's assertion, saying that Hall had told Paul Jefferson he would return next year.

"To Paul Jefferson he said, 'I'm here 'til Joe's here, and then I'm out, 10 minutes after Joe's out,' " Mills said. "So I guess he'll be back."

Penn State's playcalling system, in which Hall and Jay Paterno split duties, has been much maligned this season as the Penn State offense had struggled greatly in conference play. The staff tried to change things up before the Ohio State game, moving Hall up to the booth next to Jay Paterno.

Jay joked about his relationship with Hall and said he has learned a lot from him.

"We bust each other's chops all the time and it's very loose," Jay said. "It's great. You know, at first when Galen went to move upstairs, I didn't know if that was a good idea or a bad idea, but it turned out to be great because we're right next to each other and now when people throw stuff up at the box, I think they might be throwing at him."

Scott not feeling great

Sophomore tailback Austin Scott went from a stadium chanting his name before his first career carry last year to finishing his second campaign as the clear No. 2 running back.

Not exactly what he expected after shattering Pennsylvania high school records as a senior at Parkland and finishing his first season at Penn State as the team's leading rusher.

But though Scott didn't have an ideal season, he recognized that the team has to come first.

"The way I feel and what's best for the team may be two different things," Scott said. "So I just gotta sit back and wait. It's gonna get harder and harder each level you go up."

Seniority

Two names were announced before senior day against the Spartans apart from the 13 that Penn State listed. The one who came out of the tunnel last was expected -- Adam Taliaferro, who would have been a fifth-year senior on the team this season if not for a spinal injury his freshman year that ended his career.

The former cornerback walked out and was greeted with a bear hug from fellow senior Scott Davis, who lifted him up off the ground.

The second name was a bit more unexpected, as junior quarterback Chris Ganter was announced with the seniors. This was a pretty good indicator that Ganter would not be returning to Penn State for his final year of eligibility.

Though Joe Paterno did not say what Ganter's future plans are, it sounded as if he is planning to leave.

"Chris Ganter can come back," Paterno said. "Franny and Chris and I talked last week. I want to do what's best for him. We have those two good quarterbacks -- [Anthony] Morelli and [Paul] Cianciolo, and the other kid from Georgia [Jordan Lyons]. They're all big kids with big, strong arms."

Ganter came into the game late in the fourth quarter after Zack Mills' day was done to take snaps for a drive in what was likely his last game for Penn State. Morelli came in for the Lions' final drive, but did not throw a pass.