Why Penn State Is Wise to Cancel Press Conference During Jerry Sandusky Scandal

The Jerry Sandusky sex scandal has hit a boiling point in Happy Valley.

The Big Ten-leading Nittany Lions of Penn State are only a few days away from taking the field in Beaver Stadium against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but the only thing being talked about this week is former coach Jerry Sandusky.

Today, coach Joe Paterno's usual day of addressing the media, Penn State cancelled the press conference only 40 minutes prior to it taking a place.

According to Yahoo! Sports' Chad Forde, nearly 150 reporters were in line waiting to gain access when they heard the news:

This highly controversial decision was just about the only thing the university could do at this point.

Here is the flier the reporters were handed:

Initially the school had said that Joe Pa would "primarily" answer football related questions.

Remember, this isn't like the Nittany Lions are hosting some Big Ten doormat this week, they are getting ready to put their 5-0 conference record on the line against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Tom Rinaldi of ESPN reported on SportsCenter that a source claims Paterno was ready to speak but was called at his home this morning and told the press conference was to be cancelled. He was also told he would not be able to take place in the Big Ten teleconference.

There is too much going on to throw Paterno to wolves in a press conference of this magnitude.

While Penn State officials are certainly to blame for waiting until 40 minutes prior to the start to cancel, there was simply too much going on for anyone, even Joe Pa, to make a statement.

News, rumors and allegations continue to break in this extremely fluid situation with no end in sight.

Penn State needs to get things in order immediately before they officially address the media.

That said, it needs to be done quickly.