Penn State is going back its relatively recent past this season.

The Nittany Lions announced Thursday morning that they will take the names off the backs of their football jerseys for the 2015 season.

A new look with old school flavor; what you'll see on the field during the 2015 season. http://t.co/TsDHUPDYOY #WeAre pic.twitter.com/VS1m3GUXzT — Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) July 16, 2015



Plain blue and white jerseys adorned with only numbers was a staple of Penn State football for decades, but in 2012, after NCAA sanctions gave players the right to transfer from the program without penalty, head coach Bill O'Brien and the players elected to put names on the backs of jerseys as a reward to the players who stayed. They remained on the jerseys the following season and James Franklin -- again, getting input from the players -- elected to keep them for last season.

Franklin released the following statement Thursday:

"For 125 years Penn State proudly followed a very simple idea: “Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Names. All Game.”

In 2012, for the first time in the program's history, names adorned the back of the jersey to forever identify the men who stayed loyal, sacrificed & chose to play for this institution during the most difficult of times. The 2012 team, permanently recognized in Beaver Stadium, will hold an enduring place in our program’s history. Their commitment will never be forgotten.

However, it’s time we bring back the tradition that represented Penn State for 125 years. We are a strong family, playing for one goal, one university and there is only one name that truly matters, Penn State.

We Are."