Penn State player who used Derek Jeter's locker for Pinstripe Bowl wins game (VIDEO)

Derek Jeter was nowhere near Yankee Stadium on Saturday but, his aura seemed to play a big part in Penn State's one-point victory over Boston College in an exciting Pinstripe Bowl finish.

Penn State kicker Sam Ficken gave the Nittany Lions the overtime win, hitting an extra point to give the Lions the come-from-behind win, 31-30.

Sam Ficken, who used Derek Jeter’s locker in the clubhouse, delivers the #walkoff in overtime. #PSUvsBC pic.twitter.com/Zs3JbjiA4d
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 28, 2014

So what might seem like more than just coincidence, out of all the lockers at Yankee Stadium, Ficken used the retired Yankee icon's old space for the game.

And apparently, beside Jeter's cologne residue, some of his mystical powers rubbed off on the senior kicker too.

You might remember plenty of the Captain's magical moments in the Bronx including Jeter's final hit during his last game at Yankee Stadium (above) against the Orioles. And now, the player who uses his locker, kicks the winning extra point for the final kick of his PSU career?

Hmm.

"It's kind of a funny thing," Ficken said after the game-winner.

Funny .... or destined?

Hazing charges cost star NJ football player scholarship to Penn State: Report

A star football player at the New Jersey high school caught up in a allegations of sexual hazing rituals carried out on other players has lost his scholarship to Penn State University.

Myles Hartsfield, a highly-touted cornerback in his final year at Sayreville War Memorial School was dropped by the Penn State coaches Monday, according to BlueWhiteIllustrated, a fan site for the Big 12 team.

Seven players have been charged with sex crimes over allegations that older team members would routinely hold new players down, penetrate them with their fingers, then stick it in the boy's mouth.

The Nittany Lions pulled Hartsfield’s scholarship offer. The 5-11, 180-pounder committed to Penn State in June, choosing the Big Ten school over offers from Rutgers, Georgia Tech, Purdue, Wake Forest, West Virginia and several others.

Penn State football, which can least afford to get involved in another scandal, is still feeling the aftereffects of the Jerry Sandusky debacle.

Hartsfield, a three-sport star, has been described as an "explosive talent" in offense and defense — and was ranked as the 13th most promising player in New Jersey according to Rivals.com.

But his, and many of his teammates, promising football careers are now in jeopardy after the season was canceled while investigations take place.

The 17-year-old Hartsfield could be tried as an adult.

The scandal widened this week after the Sayreville Schools Superintendent Richard Labbe revealed that the hazing may have been going on for years —  and said that football may be permanently eliminated from the athletics program.

In addition, Rutgers senior associate athletic director Jason Baum said the local product does not hold a Scarlet Knight offer.

“He was committed to another school and when a player commits to another program, they no longer have a committable offer from Rutgers University,” Baum told NJ Advance Media’s Matt Stanmyre in an email on Sunday.

Handcuffed Michigan fan pepper-sprayed in face (PHOTOS)

Photos have emerged of the moment a police officer sprayed a handcuffed Michigan Wolverines football fan in the face with pepper spray from point blank range.

The incident occurred Saturday during Michigan's game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania and the photo has gone viral.

The man had allegedly struck a female usher and was resisting arrest when he was sprayed.

The Michigan fan appears to have his arms secured behind his back by police officers as they try to escort him away from the crowd.

But the man's face is twisted in pain as a full blast of spray is aimed near his right eye. Photos show he had already been sprayed in his left eye leaving a trail of what appears to be blood across his face.

Some members of the crowd are oblivious or unperturbed by the scene as they smile and clap during the game, while others turn and watch in shock

A man called Bryan claimed to be at the scene and told Deadspin:

"I was sitting in the section next to this guy. He was standing for every play with his buddy and became confrontational with those around him. The people behind we're getting p***** and some lady actually had enough and hit him. Mid way through the 2nd after Michigan had scored he started taunting everyone and it looked like he was about to start a fight in the stands. Security came up and escorted him down to the front when he grabbed the railing and refused to leave. He ended up talking some swings at the state police who were arresting which is why he got pepper sprayed."

Giants' Dan Connor busted at airport with switchblade

New Giants linebacker Dan Connor has reportedly been arrested for carrying a switchblade knife at Philadelphia International Airport.

Philadelphia TV station WPVI reports that Connor, who grew up in the Philadelphia area, was arrested at 9 a.m. on Saturday when TSA agents spotted the knife and called police.

According to NBCPhiladelphia.com, Connor was charged with possession of an offensive weapon.

We know New York is a tough place but maybe Conner thought he was joining the Jets — or the Sharks.

The 27-year-old Connor signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants in March. He played last season with the Cowboys after playing his first four NFL seasons with the Panthers, who took him out of Penn State in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. 

He is expected to compete for a starting job at middle linebacker this season.

Plane flies over Penn State with warning: 'Take the Statue Down or We Will'

Joe Paterno's statue continues to be the center of controversy in the fallout from the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse case.  After calls from numerous high profile names— including Bobby Bowden and Warren Sapp— to remove the statue, a small plane flew over State College Tuesday afternoon dragging an ominous banner which read: "TAKE THE STATUE DOWN OR WE WILL."

A photo of the banner was posted on Twitter and no one has taken credit for the stunt or explained who the "We" refers to.

Paterno's statue stands outside Beaver Stadium and has become a symbol of the Penn State administration's tolerance of Sandusky's 12 years of sexual deviance over damaging the football program's image.

There has been no reports on who paid for the plane and the banner.

Bobby Bowden: Remove Paterno statue

They were old friends for over 40 years but now former Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden says the statue honoring Joe Paterno outside Beaver Stadium should be removed.

Bowden, who said he still loves the late Penn State coach, says every time the statue is shown on TV,  people won't remember the good years surrounding the Penn State football program.

"They're only going to remember the things with [Jerry] Sandusky," said Bowden.  "I still love Joe, and I still love his family, but Joe made a mistake, like all of us do.  Bit this was a big one.  I'm so sorry it happened."

While the school debates whether or not they should topple the controversial statue, the Nittany Lions football team is trying to weather FBI Director Louis Freeh's investigation of the Sandusky child sex abuse scandal by not commenting.

The Orlando Sentinel has gone as far as to recommend that the NCAA remove 111 wins (since 1998) from the Division I all-time winning coach's record because Paterno was alerted to Sandusky's crimes and did nothing to curb them back then.

Jerry Sandusky's Lawyer Uses Gay Phone-Sex Line In Response To Charges

Accused child molester Jerry Sandusky's lawyer, Joe Amendola, quipped to reporters— after his client waived his right to a preliminary hearing— about a report which says a witness saw Sandusky rape a boy in a Penn State locker room then informed head football coach Joe Paterno and two university officials but failed to notify police.

If you believe that, said Amendola,  "I suggest you dial 1-800-REALITY."

Little did the often criticized lawyer know that he inadvertently gave a number for a real gay phone-sex line for "the hottest place for triple-X action."

Oh yes he did..

Amendola's public gaff occurred during a press conference outside  the Centre County Courthouse Tuesday where the lawyer tried to explain that the grand jury report which detailed the sex-abuse charges against the former Penn State defensive coordinator was flawed.

The report says the witness (Penn State wide receivers coach Mike McQueary) saw Sandusky—who faces more than 50 charges sex-abuse charges—rape the boy.

The lawyer's unfortunate choice of phone number is a gay-sex phone chat service.

"Get ready for bulging, bursting pleasure," the introduction for the phone service boasts.

Amendola seems intent on digging a big ditch for his client to climb out from and has been harshly criticized by other attorneys for his unorthodox counsel and advice.

The case has been a major blow to the school and brought shame to Paterno's program and Amendola's strategy is being scrutinized.

 The defense lawyer gave Sandusky permission to be interviewed by NBC's Bob Costas and The New York Times.  In those reports, Sandusky acknowledged showering with boys and other unsuitable activities.  He also admitted he liked being around young people.

"There will be no negotiations," claimed Amendola.  "This is a fight to the death."

Marci Hamilton, an attorney for a 29 year-old man who claims he was abused more than 100 times by Sandusky between 1992 and 1996, said she is baffled by Amendola's behavior.

"He's very unorthodox,' she said about Amendola allowing the interviews.  "I don't know if that's good or bad."