UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State piled up 515 total yards offense against Akron in its season-opening victory, but only 136 of those came on the ground.

While the Nittany Lions' new group of wide receivers were prospering in a condensed version of the Spread HD offense, the rebuilt offensive line was struggling to open holes.

Penn State averaged 4.5 yards on 30 carries, but starting tailback Evan Royster managed just 61 yards on 14 attempts and one touchdown and backup Stephfon Green netted 10 yards on seven carries.

Oddly, the Lions' second-leading rusher was nickel back Andrew Dailey, who picked up 37 yards on a scamper off a fake punt. Backup quarterback Kevin Newsome was third with two carries for 12 yards.

Royster did not meet with the media after Penn State's 31-7 win four days ago, fueling speculation he was upset with his lack of production or workload. He denied that yesterday.

"I always want to get my hands on the ball," said Royster, who ran for 1,236 yards and 12 touchdowns last year behind a veteran offensive line. "I wasn't frustrated because we were winning the game. Hopefully, we'll play against some teams that are going to try and shut down our passing game, so I'm sure it's a give-and-take thing.

"I definitely don't look at it as disappointing. It was kind of in our game plan to throw the ball. We knew Akron was going to give us some problems with the running game.

"But, if you look at the film, you see a lot of plays where just one more block and we're out of the gates and we're running downfield for 60 yards. It's all going to come together with time."

Three linemen made their first career starts against the Zips -- redshirt freshman Matt Stankiewitch at left guard, redshirt junior Lou Eliades at right guard and sophomore DeOn'tae Pannell at right tackle. The two returning starters -- junior center Stefen Wisniewski from Central Catholic High School and fifth-year senior left tackle Dennis Landolt -- were making their first starts at new positions.

The Lions had 90 yards rushing on 18 carries in the first half, but managed only 46 yards on 12 attempts in the second.

"We've got a lot of work to do with our running game," coach Joe Paterno said. "I think that was obvious. But you've got to give Akron some credit. They had a good scheme, and they were very aggressive, and they've got some kids that can play.

"And so I'm reluctant to be too critical, but you know, I think we've got to be better. We got to be more consistent."

Perhaps it was a coincidence that Penn State's running game sputtered on the same day that Curt Warner, arguably the school's best tailback ever, was honored at halftime for his upcoming induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Two other former star running backs and NFL first-round draft picks, Ki-Jana Carter and Blair Thomas, also were on the sideline.

"I think once we get some more practice time, we're going to have a pretty good offensive line," Wisniewski said.

Meanwhile, Penn State may be without one of its best defensive players for the Syracuse game Saturday. Outside linebacker Navorro Bowman, the team's leading tackler a year ago, is not practicing and could miss the game after re-aggravating a groin injury on the second series against Akron.

"I don't know whether he'll be at full strength," Paterno said. "He's got an awful lot of swelling around the muscle ... It's probably an outside chance as to whether he'll play or not."

Nathan Stupar, a redshirt sophomore, will start if Bowman can't play. Stupar had 12 tackles after relieving Bowman in the opener.

NOTES -- Penn State jumped from No. 9 to No. 7 in The Associated Press poll yesterday and from No. 8 to No. 5 in the USA Today coaches' poll. ... There will be a reunion of former Greensburg Central Catholic teammates this weekend. Two Syracuse starters, tight end Cody Catalina and safety Max Suter, played on the same high school team as Penn State starting strong safety Nick Sukay. ... Freshman walk-on Ryan Lichtenstein from Gateway is Syracuse's kicker and redshirt freshman Dan Vaughan from Central Catholic is a backup linebacker.