Penn State wouldn't be excluded from Rose Bowl

The chief administrative officer of the Rose Bowl says if Penn State wins the Big Ten title, the Nittany Lions will be "embraced" by the bowl.

Kevin Ash said Thursday that the Rose Bowl would let the Big Ten or Pac 12 decide if there is a reason its champion shouldn't play in Pasadena.

"Whoever the champions are we'll welcome with open arms," Ash said.

There have been calls for Penn State to decline a bowl bid in the aftermath of the child sex-abuse scandal involving former defensive co-ordinator Jerry Sandusky. The scandal led to the firings of coach Joe Paterno and the school president.

However, last week new Penn State president Rod Erickson said the expectation is that Nittany Lions will play in a bowl game.