The scheme was born out of necessity, not necessarily out of ingenuity. If J.D. Brookhart had his druthers, he would have beefy defensive linemen up front and play defense in a conventional manner.

But, when you're the head coach at a Mid-American Conference school that can't recruit with -- much less land -- the big boys, you have to try different methods. That's how Akron's unconventional, but successful 3-5-3 (also known as 3-3 stack) defense was born.

"It's so hard, unless you're a Top 20 team, to get defensive linemen," said Brookhart, who will lead his team into Beaver Stadium for the opener Saturday against Penn State. "It's easier to get 6-foot-2, 230-pound guys. You can get a lot of linebackers who can run and play. That was the logic behind it."

The defense might not be a novelty for long. West Virginia, like Akron, uses the defense, and with great success. The Mountaineers were among the top defensive teams in Division I-A last season, finishing No. 13 in scoring defense (17.8 points per game), No. 15 in total defense (310 yards per game) and No. 19 in rush defense (109.7 ypg).

In a conference best known for wide-open, pass-happy offenses, Akron won its first MAC championship last season because of its defense. The Zips were 32nd in Division I-A in total defense (339 ypg) a year ago, and more of the same should be in store this season with eight returning starters.

"It gives you a lot of problems," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "They play it well and they know what they're doing. They make it very tough. It's the way they play it and their belief in it. It will be a cat-and-mouse game Saturday."

Although it appears Akron is more susceptible against the run than the pass -- the Zips gave up 159 yards rushing per game last season -- Paterno said balance and his team's ability to adapt on the run will be keys to solving the Zips' stunting quintet of linebackers.

"Akron's scheme is a very sophisticated scheme," Paterno said. "Obviously, some things they do, we can run the ball. But, when they make adjustments, we have to throw the football. That's a very good staff and a very well-coached football team. J.D. was at Pitt when Pitt kicked our ears in [in 2000]. He's done an excellent job with that football team."

This will not be Penn State's first exposure to the 3-5-3. Akron ran the same defense in 2004, when Penn State beat the Zips, 48-10, at Beaver Stadium. Ohio State also ran variations of the defense last season.

"We've just been watching a lot of film," center A.Q. Shipley said. "They have five linebackers and can mix it up with a lot of stunts. They do a lot of stuff off the edge with the hybrid safeties/linebackers."

Penn State has been working on attacking the defense since the spring and spent a good portion of their preseason practices working against it. Quarterback Anthony Morelli, a first-year starter, is confident the Lions will be able to move the ball and score points.

"It can be tough at times," Morelli said. "The defense will play a lot of games with you. We've been doing a lot of work on it, so I think we'll be ready for it."

NOTES -- Despite an injury-plagued preseason and a fellow senior in front of him on the depth chart, Paterno said running back Austin Scott likely will play his final season in lieu of a redshirt. "We'll have to see how he feels this week before I could tell you definitively what we are going to get out of him," Paterno said. "But I think he's got a chance to play a lot. If he does, he'll be a big help." ... Paterno said a couple of his true freshman defensive linemen likely will have to play this season, maybe even against Akron. ... The main concern for Paterno continues to be the offensive line, which has four new starters. "We're not going to dominate anyone up front for a while," he said.