UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Stefen Wisniewski made a huge splash on Penn State's veteran offensive line this spring.

He beat out returning starter Mike Lucian for the No. 1 job at right guard.

"I'm really happy with the way it's worked out," Wisniewski said yesterday after the Blue beat the White, 27-14, in the Nittany Lions' annual spring game before an estimated crowd of 73,000 at Beaver Stadium.

Wisniewski, from Central Catholic High School, comes from good genes.

His father, Leo, played at Fox Chapel, was a co-captain at Penn State in 1981 and spent three years in the NFL as a nose tackle with the Colts. He is now the strength/offensive line coach at Geneva College.

Wisniewski's uncle, Steve, was a two-time All-American offensive guard at Penn State and an eight-time Pro Bowler who played 13 seasons in the NFL with the Raiders.

"My dad's been my coach in the weight room in technique stuff since high school and my uncle's been giving me pointers for as long as I can remember," said Wisniewski, who will be a sophomore in the fall.

"And they've got a lot of friends with NFL credentials that have been coaching me up, so I've had the best coaching possible. I feel pretty lucky. The Lord's really blessed me with a lot of natural instincts. It really has little to do with me."

Wisniewski, 6 feet 3, 288 pounds, needed only three games to work his way onto the field as a freshman a year ago. He made his debut against Buffalo. A month later, he made his only start when Lucian was out with a concussion.

Wisniewski played in seven games overall, including a season-high 42 snaps in the Alamo Bowl win against Texas A&M in December.

"That experience helped me tremendously," he said. "By the end of the year, I felt really comfortable in there."

Coach Joe Paterno has been impressed with Wisniewski's intensity this spring.

"He's going to be a good football player," Paterno said.

Offensive line figures to be Penn State's strength this fall.

Center A.Q. Shipley from Moon, left tackle Gerald Cadogan, left guard Rich Ohrnberger, right tackle Dennis Landolt and Lucian started eight games together last season.

Now that Wisniewski has joined the lineup, Lucian has been relegated to backup center duties.

"He's had a heck of a spring," Shipley said of Wisniewski. "He's really come on strong. He moves well, he does everything well. The potential he has is endless."

Wisniewski helped make sure starting quarterback Daryll Clark had enough time to toss two touchdown passes yesterday. Clark finished 9 of 16 for 106 yards but was sacked three times.

Backup quarterback Pat Devlin completed 12 of 18 passes for 122 yards and one touchdown. He, too, was sacked three times.

"I thought they both played well," Wisniewski said. "I was impressed all through spring ball and today with their accuracy and leadership."

NOTES -- Linebacker Sean Lee watched from the sideline with a brace on his right knee. The Upper St. Clair grad will miss the 2008 season with a torn ACL. "He's everything you want, as far as I'm concerned, in a football player," Paterno said. "He's got poise, he comes to practice every day and works like a dog for us. ... It's going to hurt us." ... Backup tailback Stephfon Green managed 87 yards on 12 carries and scored on an electrifying 57-yard run. ... Backup end Aaron Maybin had 3 1/2 sacks and outside linebacker Tyrell Sales from Butler had an interception. ... Tight end Andrew Szczerba had five catches for 65 yards. ... Tackle Abe Koroma won the O'Hora Award as the most improved defensive player and receiver James McDonald captured the Worrell Award as the most improved offensive player. Middle linebacker Josh Hull and punter Jeremy Boone shared the Patrick Award for total commitment.