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Q: Why aren't the freshmen that were so highly touted at the beginning of this year getting more of a chance, rather than wasting a year playing just a couple of plays each game? I'm referring to Devon Smith, Justin Brown, Gerald Hodges, etc.? With what happened in the punt return game Saturday, why not give these guys a chance to show what they can do? It couldn't be any worse!

Jim Conway, Hollidaysburg, Pa.

MUSSELMAN: Jim, that's a good question, one everyone has been asking Paterno. Simply put, he doesn't like to use true freshmen if he doesn't have to in key positions or situations. He plans to stick with upperclassmen Graham Zug and Drew Astorino for the game at Michigan State Saturday, although they both lost fumbles on punt returns against Indiana this past weekend. Paterno said Devon Smith has not played lately because he cut classes. Smith has five kickoff returns for 91 yards but has not had any in the past seven games. Brown had three punt returns for 24 yards against Eastern Illinois but has none in the past five games. With Chaz Powell expected to miss Saturday's game with a sprained right shoulder, perhaps Smith will see some playing time on the kickoff returns. Hodges, who moved from safety to outside linebacker earlier this year, also has seen spot duty with three tackles.

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