Ex-PSU players intend to appeal vacated wins

Updated: August 7, 2012, 9:01 PM ET

ESPN.com news services

A group of former Penn State players has notified the NCAA that it intends to appeals the harsh sanctions placed upon the football program for the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

Former Nittany Lions quarterback Michael Robinson and seven others who played for Penn State at some point during the 14 seasons in which the NCAA vacated victories sent an intent to appeal letter to the NCAA dated Aug. 7.

A Penn State trustee has sent a similar letter, though the NCAA has said the sanctions are not subject to appeal.

The penalties handed down last month included a four-bowl ban, scholarship cuts and 111 vacated wins from 1998-2011 under late coach Joe Paterno.

Sandusky is awaiting sentencing in jail after being convicted in June on 45 criminal counts.

The notice of appeal was sent on behalf of Robinson, who played from 2001-05, Anwar Phillips (2001-05), Josh Gaines (2004-08), Shamar Finney (1998-2002), Richard Gardner (1999-2003), Gerald Cadogan (2004-08), Anthony Adams (1998-02), Justin Kurpeikis (1996-2000), and William Kenney (an assistant coach from 1998-2011). The notice says the players and coach were all mentioned in the consent decree signed by the NCAA and Penn State, and thus are directly damaged, including the vacation of "all wins of the Penn State football team from 1998-2011."

The notice says the NCAA failed to follow its bylaws and enforcement procedures, and deprived the players and coaches of their rights to appeal. It also said it challenges the findings of the Freeh report.

It also said the punishments in the consent decree were "excessive" and constituted "an abuse of discretion."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.