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PrintBCSPitt: It seems like Paul Jones is backing away from his commitment to PSU, any new news on him realizing Pitt IS IT?
Ron Musselman: Paul Jones has been going back and forth ever since he verbally committed to Penn State. The Lions already have another highly-touted quarterback in next year's class -- Robert Bolden from Orchard Lake, Mich. And this year's backup to Daryll Clark is a true freshman, Kevin Newsome, who has three years of eligibility after this. I am sure that has altered Jones' thinking.
PHYRST: Ron: Tell me everything I need to know about Iowa but was afraid to ask ...
Ron Musselman: Well, Iowa is 6-1 againt Penn State since 2000 and Kirk Ferentz is 6-2 all-time against Joe Paterno. Not many coaches have owned Paterno like Ferentz has, although Bear Bryant and Lloyd Carr comes to mind. Iowas has a good defense, which has allowed just two touchdowns in three games.
Paternoville: What is the latest on Lee?
Ron Musselman: Oh, anyone who knows him knows he wants to play. But the final decision will be up to the dcotors. Lee has not been practicing and I can't see the training staff clearing him to play Saturday, barring a miraculous recovery. With Navorro Bowman back, I think the coaches will rest Lee's sprained left knee another week.
Cedarbrook_606: Why is it that Iowa always seems to have Penn State's number? ... Even back to that 21-20 loss at home in '96 the year Penn State won the Fiesta Bowl. And they're always like 1 to 3 point games.
Ron Musselman: If you ha ve ever played competitive sports, it seems to go that way. There always seems to be one team that gives you fits. I am guessing that maybe Ferentz snuck in and stole Paterno's playbook (just kidding). His father-in-law played with Paterno at Brooklyn Prep. Ferentz'ss brother-in-law played linebacker for Paterno in the 1970s and his nephew was a backup quarterback at Penn State earlier this decade. Ferentz, once rumored to be Paterno's possible successor, seems to have a good handle on the Lions' program.
Paternoville: How about Bowman -- is he in game form?
Ron Musselman: Bowman's in. He has been practicing this week and I am told his groin is fine. Lee said yesterday that Bowman looks like his old self again. Hey, the guy has only been on the field for a few snaps this season. The Lions need him to amke any kind of run at a national championship.
PHYRST: What names should I be looking out for on the Hawkeyes -- I know Shonn Green is playing on Sunday's now -- what kind of an offensive attack do they bring and how will the Nittany Lion defense handle it?
Ron Musselman: Iowa has a two-head running attack led by redshirt freshman Adam Robinson and true freshman Brandon Wegher. Each one of them have turned out a 100-yard game this year. Penn State's defense has been stingy, allowing 46.3 yards per game on the ground and 1.6 yards per carry.
PHYRST: How will the young O-Line handle their first real test?
Ron Musselman: The offensive line will be the key. Daryll Clark took a lot of hits last week against Temple. The line will need to protect him better plus open up some holes for Evan Royster.
PHYRST: The second half of the Temple game looked like a scrimmage for the run offense. Do you think they are getting to where they want to be?
Ron Musselman: The first three games have been a scrimmage. I think the team is happy to be 3-0, but the first real test comes Saturday.
PHYRST: How is the young receiving corps progressing?
Ron Musselman: The receiver seem to be doing fine. I think Graham Zug, Derek Moye and Chaz Powell have played pretty well and some of the youngsters have been seeing more time -- Curtis Drake, Devon Smith and Justin Brown. Brett Bracket, however, has been a major disappointment.
GregUSC: With all the linebacker injuries, I was expecting young Michael Yancich to see the field, as his work in practice during his redshirt year last season was reported to be encouraging. He is listed as 3rd team outside LB back up Sean Lee behind Michael Zordich. Have you heard why he is not being mentioned for playing time if both Lee and Bowman can't play versus Iowa?
Ron Musselman: Yancich has had plenty of opportunities to earn playing time but hasn't taken advantage of it. He is currently listed as No. 3 behind See Lee at outside linebacker. Lee is a great mentor for Yancich, who has recorded a tackle yet this season.
Rick: Do you think Penn State's lackluster performances thus far will translate into three or more losses to Big Ten teams like Ohio State and Iowa?
Ron Musselman: I don't think so. Iowa is 3-0 but I am not sure how good the Hawkeyes are. They beat a Division I-AA team, Northern Iowa, by one point (17-16) in their opener. And Ohio State has some issues, too, after allowing USC to drive the length of the field for the game-winning TD in the final minutes at home. I do believe Penn State's four road games will be tough --- at Illinois, Michigan, Northwestern and Michigan State -- but I would be surprised if they didn't go 3-1.
EdSC: What are the chances of either Sean Lee or Navorro Bowman or both playing this Saturday?
Ron Musselman: Bowman will play and I don't think Lee will. I guess it's better to have one than none.
Mitchell: At times, Penn State seems intent on running Stephon Green inside, and he's just not that rugged a runner to break tackles consistently. He had one good inside run last week vs. Temple, but has mostly been less than successful, in my mind's eye. I know that the fullback gets few carries, but why so they keep insisting that there one of their fastest player's run between the tackles so much?
Ron Musselman: Green has gotten a lot of hype in his short time at Penn State, but he has not really produced like everyone thought he would, despite his speed. Since being injured in the Rose Bowl, he seems to be a little indecisive. He only has 55 yards rushing and a 2.6-yard average.
