Endorsing the recommendations made in the latest progress report by former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, the NCAA has immediately restored Penn State's postseason eligibility and restored its scholarships to a full 85 beginning in 2015-16.

The Nittany Lions received a four-year postseason ban in 2012 as part of unprecedented and wide-ranging NCAA sanctions against the program for its role in the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Some of the sanctions were reduced last September -- following another positive Mitchell report -- including gradual restoration of scholarships.

Penn State, which is 2-0 under first-year coach James Franklin, entered the season with just 72 scholarship players on the roster.

"Penn State’s commitment to the integrity of its athletics department and its progress toward meeting the requirements of the Consent Decree are clear,” said Northern Arizona President Rita Hartung Cheng in a statement released by the NCAA. “We thank Senator Mitchell for his meticulous and exhaustive work over the past two years. Mitchell’s efforts and the dedication of Penn State officials made today’s decisions possible."

Mitchell also recommended that if Penn State continues to make impressive progress at the conclusion of the 2015 report, Mitchell’s oversight may conclude substantially earlier than 2017, the date set forth in the original agreement between the NCAA and Penn State.