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Monday, August 28, 2000

By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Some homecoming.

Rashard Casey came back to New Jersey, 10 minutes from where he played his high school football and 10 minutes from where a now notorious incident took place on May 14.

Casey, the senior quarterback with an uncertain legal situation hanging over his head, was 7 for 24 for 106 yards and threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown yesterday in a 29-5 loss in the Kickoff Classic at Giants Stadium.

Adding insult to embarrassment, with 10:36 remaining in the game, Penn State Coach Joe Paterno pulled Casey and inserted sophomore backup Matt Senneca. Paterno indicated after the game that Senneca could get more of a look as the season progresses.

"That's football," Casey said. "You take the good with the bad. I'm a quarterback, and I have to carry that. When we do bad, I'll get the blame. When we do good I'll get the credit. Right now, we're bad, and I just have to take it in stride and try to get better."

Paterno indicated after the game that Senneca had a good preseason camp, and he believed Senneca had earned an opportunity to play. Conversely, Paterno indicated that Casey felt the effects of a long and trying off-season.

"This was a tough outing for him for a lot of reasons," Paterno said. "It's been a tough preseason for him for a lot of reasons. I think now that he's got this one out of his craw, he can concentrate on having a little more fun."

Paterno said he and the coaches discussed using Senneca early in the week for a quarter or so, but he wasn't sure when to insert him.

"They just told me to be ready," Senneca said. "He had me warm up in the first half, but he didn't put me in. I think he tried to let Rashard work things out."

Senneca was 3 for 6 for 30 yards.

"I felt real comfortable," Senneca said. "I've grown a lot since last season. Things are clicking for me now."

Casey is accused of beating an off-duty police officer unconscious outside of a Hoboken, N.J. nightclub in May. His status for the rest of the season is uncertain. His case could go to a grand jury during the season.

Paterno, who in the spring said Casey was his only option at quarterback, might be getting Senneca game-ready in the event Casey's legal situation causes him to miss games.

Whatever the case, this topic surely will be brought up tomorrow when Paterno addresses reporters during his weekly news conference.

Musical linemen

Paterno said one of the main problems on offense last season was a lack of cohesion on the offensive line. That problem didn't seem like it solved yesterday when the Lions incurred five false start penalties and helped running backs gain just 6 yards.

"The five kids we started were there for a week," Paterno said. "Obviously, they're not a great offensive line, especially against a defense as talented and experienced as USC's. They'll get better if they stay healthy."

Paterno still doesn't seem certain which players he would like to use. He substituted the three interior positions throughout the game. Gus Felder went in for Josh Mitchell at one guard, Matt Schmitt went in for Frank Spano at center and Tyler Lenda went in for Joe Hartings.

Senior tackle Kareem McKenzie, the only player on the line with experience, said that made it hard yesterday.

"It's hard to get continuity like that," McKenzie said. "They made adjustments. If you don't have the same offensive line in there, it's hard to communicate that."

Drummond injured

Penn State junior receiver Eddie Drummond injured his right knee early in the game and did not return. Paterno said it was a sprain and preliminary indications are he could be out for a few weeks.

"When he went down," Casey said. "a big part of our offense went down."

Drummond, an East Liberty native, is Penn State's leading returning receiver.

Short snaps

Penn State lost its opener for the first time since 1990, when Texas beat the Lions, 17-13. They are 29-6 in openers under Paterno. ... Larry Johnson's safety was Penn State's first since 1997 at Louisville. ... Ryan Primanti's 37-yard field goal was his first attempt in college. ... Sam Crenshaw led the Lions with four receptions, a career high. ... Larry Johnson led in rushing with 21 yards on five carries. Eric McCoo had minus-1 yard on eight carries, thanks in large part to a 24-yard loss on a fumble.