STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: A general view of play between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Ohio Bobcats at Beaver Stadium on September 1, 2012 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
by Thomas O'Toole, USA TODAY
A suspicious package outside Beaver Stadium triggered an alert at the Penn State campus that lasted more than an hour has been resolved.
The school had sent a text warning to students and alumni midday Monday telling them to avoid the area. The package was at Gate E of the stadium, home to the Penn State football team.
School spokesman Reidar Jensen had confirmed that the police move was a "precautionary measure" and called the activity "pretty routine." He said police and a hazmat crew are on the scene. Just before 3 p.m. ET, police and the school gave an all-clear signal via text and said details would be upcoming on the package.
Penn State, in its first season since the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse trial and the death of iconic coach Joe Paterno, is 0-2 with a home game Saturday against Navy.
The football program also is operating under severe NCAA sanctions as part of the fallout from the Sandusky case, including a four-year bowl ban and the loss of several scholarships.
The school sent a text message to students and alumni who have signed up to receive alerts. University Police said they have no more information "at this time." The Daily Collegiate newspaper reported the package is at Gate E.
Sandusky, a former defensive coordinator for the football team and at one time a possible successor to Paterno, was convicted on 45 counts of child sexual abuse in June and is awaiting sentencing. A report released in July by former FBI director Louis Freeh said top school administrators, including Paterno and former President Graham Spanier, did not do enough to stop Sandusky based on what they knew. Some of the incidents occurred in the football building on campus.
Fans have been particularly upset with the NCAA over the sanctions, which were considered extraordinary measures in an unprecedented case.
Contributing: Jessica Tully in State College, Pa.
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