This was Bob Costas as "commentator," not reporter. He was not suggesting that the death penalty was imminent; he was suggesting that PSU should voluntarily suspend football for a year. Or else the NCAA should do it.
It was surprising to hear the words, but it is the kind of thing that is a pretty easy position for people like Costas to take. Everybody in the media always seems to know what is best for college football.
Costas did not mention what may be the most interesting enforcement-violation in the PSU story; the university's failure to comply with the Clery Act.
Nice writing here by Casey McDermott of the PSU Daily Collegian:
Costas video appears to not yet be up at the Meet the Press website:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032608/