The following is a copy of the press release issued by the Big Ten Network regarding BTN2Go.

BTN TO LAUNCH ‘BTN2Go’ IN TIME FOR 2011 FOOTBALL SEASON

Live BTN Games Headline an Extensive Slate of Programming Offered to Authenticated Subscribers

CHICAGO – BTN2Go, a live 24/7 multi-platform extension of BTN, is scheduled to kick off at the start of the 2011 college football season, BTN President Mark Silverman announced today.

BTN2Go features a live feed of all BTN linear network programming, including more than 40 football games, over 100 men’s basketball games and hundreds of other live events, as well as Extra Football Game Channels, on-demand programming and archived content.

BTN2Go will be offered exclusively through BTN’s participating cable, satellite and telco distribution partners as an authenticated digital service to subscribers who already receive BTN as part of their video subscription.

Once their provider agrees to carry the service, fans will be able to access BTN2Go on three platforms: the Internet; iPad and iPhone. Specific launch dates for each platform will be forthcoming.

“We’re tremendously excited to launch BTN2Go because, as mobile technology has advanced, this is something fans are asking for,” Silverman said. “Big Ten fans are frequently on the go, and would like to watch BTN while away from home. BTN2Go gives fans that option at no additional cost to them.”

“BTN2Go will deliver an innovative new experience to passionate Big Ten fans, reinforcing the conference’s and network’s desire to improve access to and exposure for all Big Ten sports,” said Michael Calderon, vice president, digital and interactive media.

BTN2Go viewers also will have on-demand access to BTN’s deep video archive, including all current season games.  Original series such as The Journey, Big Ten Icons, Big Ten’s Best and The Big Ten’s Greatest Games, as well as game highlights and coaches’ shows, will be available.

Ron Musselman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that former Penn State running back Evan Royster has signed a contract with the Washington Redskins, who drafted the schol's all-time leading rusher with the 177th overall pick.

This news was first reported by Mike Jones of the Washington Post via Twitter. Not bad Royster. Not bad.

For more coverage of the Redskins, check out Redskins Hog Heaven.

Penn State may not have many of the top players in the Big Ten, or so everyone seems to think, but they do have one of the top linebackers. Michael Mauti was officially recognized by the Big Ten Thursday morning as one of the conference's Big Ten Players to Watch.

Here is the full list of Big Ten players to watch, broken down by division.

LEGENDS DIVISION

• Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan
• Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
• Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska
• Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
• Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern

LEADERS DIVISION

• Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, Illinois
• Damarlo Belcher, WR, Indiana
• Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State
• John Simon, DT, Ohio State
• Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State
• Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
• James White, RB, Wisconsin

Mauti is considered one of the top defensive players on the team, and has been recognized as one fo the top linebackers in the conference. Nebraska's Lavonte David joins Mauti as the only linebackers recognized by the conference on this list.

Stay tuned for more updates. Follow along on Twitter and Facebook.

Photo source: GoPSUSports.com

Nittany Lion's Den is live in Chicago for Big Ten media days, which begin later today.

Be sure to get caught up on everything by reviewing the schedule of events and taking a look at a couple of questions facing Penn State.

There will be no official media poll for the Big Ten this season, but the team over at Black Shoe Diaries will be posting a Big Ten ranking this morning, one in which I was fortunate enough to contribute to. The official Penn State football website will also be bringing plenty of live coverage the next two days.

Remember to follow our coverage on Twitter. We'll have updates on the website as well when we get the chance.

Cup of Joe: Where We're Ready for B1G Media Days

As we approach this year's BigTen Media Days, I would like to remind you that following NittanyLionsDen.com on twitter (@TheNLD) may be the best way to receive LIVE updates throughout the day.

Andrew Isaacs

Photo Courtesy of Facebook.com

Two years ago, Penn State sent two TEs to the NFL. This included Andrew Quarless, who was Penn State's only player to record a reception in every game of 2009, and helped lead the Packers to a Super Bowl his first season in the pros.  Last year, however, Penn State tight ends were held to five total receptions.

If the above statistics aren't startling, nothing is, and this is why Penn State has been recruiting TEs throughout their 2012 class.  Still, they may need to save some room for the 2013 class.

We've already mentioned Chris Brickhouse and Adam Breneman, but the best blocking TE on Penn State's board might hail from Manchester (CT) High School, Andrew Isaacs.

"I got offers from UConn and Boston College...Maryland and Rutgers are also showing interest," he recently told NittanyLionsDen.com.  "I wouldn't mind [hearing more from] PSU.  I love Penn [State] and my coach says they have interest [in me].  They sent me several camp invites," he continued.

"It's just exciting to have these schools looking at me.  But not surprising."

What is Isaacs looking for in a school?  "Basically I want to go anywhere that wants to help me get better, win championships, and throw me the ball."

Isaacs self-reports his measurables to be: 6'3" and 235 lbs, 280 bench and 350 squat, runs a 4.9 forty and 27 inch vertical.

Tomorrow the Big Ten gets their time in the media frenzy spotlight as Big Ten media days officially get underway in Chicago's Hyatt Regency. Nittany Lion's Den will be represented and will be looking to provide some unique perspective in to the event. Be sure to be following all of our updates on Twitter and Facebook.

If you are wondering just when Joe Paterno will be talking with the media here is a run down of the tentative schedule for the entire conference and where you can get coverage through the Big Ten Network and/or ESPN and more. Keep in mind that these times are based on Chicago time, which is in the central time zone. For those of you in the Eastern time zone, add one hour to the schedule.

Thursday, July 28

10 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. - Media session with coaches

Watch it on Big Ten Network, or follow our live tweets.

Each Big Ten coach will address the media with some comments about their program and answer some questions from the media. This is generally when all of the out-of-town writers covering other schools and national writers get their questions in, so expect the local guys covering the Nittany Lions to hold off on some of their own questions. Hopefully somebody from USA Today doesn't ask Joe Paterno how he feels about death this time around.

The Leaders Division coaches will go first, with Paterno scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

11:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Radio, Local TV availability for coaches and players

Each school will determine where their representatives go and for how long for radio appearances. As far as Penn State is concerned, Joe Paterno is scheduled to be available between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. We will have to wait and see which radio stations will be talking to Paterno but hopefully we will be able to get our hands on some radio podcasts when they become available. During this same time frame (actually from 10:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.) the coaches and players from each school will be making their rounds through local television outlets. Penn State's representatives will be doing this between 12:00 p.m. and 1:15 p.m.

1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - Media session with Big Ten and Big Ten Network representatives

Watch it on Big Ten Network, or follow our live tweets.

Bill Carollo (Big Ten Coordinator of Football Officials), Mark Silverman (Big Ten Network President) and Jim Delany (Big Ten commissioner) will each meet with the media following the coaches. Delany is scheduled for 2:15 - 2:45 p.m. It will be interesting to see how he responds to some of the topics addressed by Mike SLive (SEC), John Swofford (ACC) and Larry Scott (Pac 12) in their respective media day press conferences.

Friday, July 29

7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast with Iowa and Nebraska

There will be a special breakfast hosted by Iowa and Nebraska Friday morning at the Hyatt-Regency McCormick Place. The purpose of the breakfast will be to formally introduce the Big Ten's newest trophy which will be awarded to the winner of this year's Iowa-Nebraska game, because Iowa is always in search of mroe trophy games. We can only speculate at this point and guess that corn will somehow be associated with the trophy. Here is a look at the invitation. Maybe you can pick up some hints yourself.

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - One-on-One interviews

This will be one of the least structured of the events. Players and coaches will sit at round tables and media will come up to each to ask questions at their leisure. This will be more of an opportunity for local media to focus on the schools they are covering but will also be one last chance for national writers to grab a quote or two. Big Ten Coordinator of Officials Bill Carollo will also be available at this time.

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Autograph session

Coaches and players will sign autographs for fans.

11:00 a.m. - Coaches and Players Group Photos

A chance for the Big Ten to organize a group shot of their coaches and players. Nothing special to see here.

11:30: a.m. - 40th annual kickoff luncheon

One last free meal for those in attendance, and one last chance to rub elbows with the coaches and players before heading home.

We'll have full coverage of the media days for you right here on Nittany Lion's Den, so be sure to check back on Thursday and Friday.

Kirk Garner Has Interest in the Nittany Lions

Photo Courtesy of Facebook.com

Penn State might have received their first DB commitment from the 2012 class, but it's no secret around the Nittany Lions' community that the defensive backfield will again be a need for the 2013 recruiting class.  Luckily, there is a great one right in Penn State's recruiting grounds in Kirk Garner from Olney (MD) Good Counsel, the same former high school as current Penn State DB Mike Wallace.

"I have [offers from] FSU, NC State, Purdue, Cincy, Ohio, Navy...UMD and Va Tech...also," he recently told NittanyLionsDen.com.  "I have received a couple of letters from PSU.  I would love to receive that offer, I always had a nice interest in PSU and their great tradition," he continued.

Besides tradition, what is Garner looking for in a school?  "Well I'm a student athlete first, so academics are very [important for] a college decision.  But besides that I'm looking for a home away from home, and a family away from my family.  And early playing time would be wonderful also, but I believe I can control that with my own abilities."

When asked about what those abilities were, Garner responded, "My determination and mind set.  I know I have to prove myself to others, [but] that's off the field.  But on the field, my tenacity and hype; just having fun and enjoying playing football and playing at 110%"

Garner self-reports him as being 5'11" and 175 lbs.  He runs a 4.5 forty, benches 270 and squats 450.  "All those numbers are rising," he added.