Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Austin Scott came to Penn State in 2003 with much fanfare as one of the top running backs in the nation. The hype and expectations have never matched the reality as Scott languishes behind others in the Nittany Lions' backfield. Click photo for larger image. Penn State Notebook: Necessity mother of youth movement

When Austin Scott first started talking yesterday, he delivered his words slowly, with uncertainty, as if reciting a script. These were uncomfortable subjects; the running back talking about why he has run so infrequently of late, and why the buzz for his future is suddenly so muted, and what he plans to do about it -- provided there's anything left for him to try.

So Scott, at first, stuck with the script of a player spurned. I've been working hard. ... I just try to stay focused. ... I look forward to better days.

But if Scott's career had followed a script that coaches and recruiting experts plotted out after his sensational high school career, Scott would be the centerpiece of the Penn State offense. He would simply be extending a legacy that already included the 3,853 rushing yards and 53 touchdowns he amassed as a high school senior.

Yesterday, though, when Scott started talking, he had none of that: no legacy, no starting job, and little reason to believe that either is eminent.

Nearing the end of his third season, Scott is stuck behind fellow junior Tony Hunt on the depth chart. Scott hasn't even played in three of the team's games this year. He has seen most of his playing time in the later, forgotten chapters of blowouts. Unless Scott transfers after this season or opts for a redshirt -- allowing him one complete season, 2007, without competition from Hunt -- his career likely will end quietly, without fanfare, without any of the memories that once appeared guaranteed.

So maybe that's why Scott veered from the script when rehashing what has happened.

"I just feel like I haven't, I don't know, been given as many opportunities as others," he said. "I don't know, not necessarily as many opportunities, but I don't feel like I ever actually had my turn. I never felt like I had a [starting] position to lose or anything. Whatever that means, I felt like I was always in the same position I am now -- just fighting, and any play I could get taken out. It's kind of hard, worrying about getting taken out.

	NOT SO GREAT Austin Scott came to Penn State as a highly acclaimed player out of Parkland High School. He has yet to live up to those expectations with the Nittany Lions. Here are his rushing numbers at Penn State: 2003 Opp. Att. Yds. TD Temple 12 69 0 BC 10 60 1 Nebraska 6 19 0 Kent State 21 100 3 Minnesota 20 95 1 Wisconsin 10 22 0 Purdue DNP     Iowa 3 14 0 Ohio State 12 15 0 N'western DNP     Indiana 4 42 0 Mich. State 2 0 0 Totals 100 436 5 2004 Opp. Att. Yds. TD Akron 11 116 2 BC injured DNP     Central Fla .6 47 0 Wisconsin 1 1 0 Minnesota 3 8 0 Purdue 3 4 0 Iowa 2 6 0 Ohio State 3 13 0 N'western 2 1 0 Indiana 14 74 0 Mich. State 10 42 0 Totals 44 312 2 2005 Opp. Att. Yds. TD South Fla. DNC     Cincinnati 10 32 1 Central Mich. 4 15 0 N'western DNC     Minnesota 9 52 0 Ohio State DNC     Michigan 1 2 0 Illinois 14 57 0 Totals 38 158 1 DNC-did not carry

"[The coaches] say I've been doing everything that's asked, and I've been working hard. They've been trying to get me in the game and stuff, but a lot of the time they don't even run the ball that much. ... It's just hard, because sometimes I just want a couple plays, you know? And sometimes I don't get that."

Provided Hunt remains healthy, Scott may finish 2005 with fewer yards than in '04, which in turn was fewer yards than he managed in '03. That year, as a freshman, Scott started four games. With 436 yards, he finished as the team's leading rusher.

Then, in an agonizing decline, Scott regressed, partly because of his mistakes, partly because of pure misfortune. His tardiness at team meetings last season hindered his playing time, and allowed Hunt -- a less-heralded recruit -- to claim the starting job. Entering this season, coaches praised Scott's fitness and work ethic, but then, a springtime ankle injury stopped his progress.

"In the process in the recovery of injuries, Tony Hunt has had more opportunities to do things and Tony has done very well," Penn State coach Joe Paterno explained yesterday. "It is just one of those things that happens when you are in a program where there are some good football players. Austin has done well. Austin has been a great kid. Every time we have put him in there, he has played with enthusiasm. ... His day will come, but he is behind Hunt. He has to beat out Tony and he hasn't done that yet."

After last season, when Scott spoke with his old high school coach, Parkland's Rob Melosky, Scott dismissed the idea of transferring. He enjoyed Penn State too much, he said. Plus, he didn't wish to back away from a challenging situation.

But now, Penn State has played eight games. Scott, to date, has 38 carries for 158 yards. He admitted that, at times, he has doubted his own abilities. "That's one of the hard things," he said. "When you're not playing and stuff, you kind of start to doubt yourself. That's one of the things you have to battle with. I do sometimes get down on myself."

Freshman Derrick Williams, before a season-ending injury two weeks ago, often saw more carries than Scott -- and he played wide receiver. "That's kind of the writing on the wall," Melosky said, "when they're putting a true freshman in there to get touches before him."

Scott was asked if he felt he still had a future at Penn State.

"I don't know," he said quietly. "I don't know."