Friday, August 22, 2003

By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

One week from tomorrow Penn State will open the season against Temple at Beaver Stadium. But who will start at running back and at key positions in the offensive line was still undetermined yesterday.

Penn State Coach Joe Paterno has joined the ranks of sports heroes whose likenesses have appeared on a Wheaties box. Special edition Paterno boxes of Wheaties are being sold in Pennsylvania stores and surrounding states. The official unveiling came at Beaver Stadium yesterday. Other college coaches who have appeared on Wheaties are Minnesota’s Bernie Bierman, Fordham’s Jim Crowley and Nebraska’s Tom Osborne. “At first, I didn’t want to do it,” Paterno said. “I certainly don’t need it personally. The consensus was that it would be good for Penn State. ... After I thought about it, I felt it was really quite an honor and thought to myself, “Stop being a big shot, Paterno, and sit back and enjoy it.”(Pat Little, Associated Press) Click photo for larger image. THE OPENERMatchup: Penn State vs. Temple in the 2003 opener for both schools When: 3:30 p.m., Aug. 30 Where: Beaver Stadium, University Park

Coach Joe Paterno said he was close to being able to name five starters on the offensive line, but an injury and some good competition is preventing him from naming a No. 1 tailback.

"We've tried a lot of different kids," Paterno said yesterday at a news conference. "We have three or four kids who are working hard. There may be a fifth. The next three days will determine when, where and how we are going to decide who is going to do most of the work at running back. We have very good possibilities at that position. Not only in the fact that there may be one or two with outstanding ability, but in the numbers of people we have at the position. I'm comfortable with it. I think we'll be all right."

After a season with an undisputed No. 1 back (2,000-yard rusher Larry Johnson), Paterno seems content to go back to the running back by committee approach he has used in previous seasons.

Junior Mike Gasparato, Johnson's chief backup last season, was injured early in camp and fell behind. He is being challenged by senior Ricky Upton and several inexperienced players, including sophomore Tim Shaw, redshirt freshmen Donnie Johnson and Chris Wilson and true freshman Austin Scott.

Two years ago, Paterno employed a back-by-committee approach with Johnson, Eric McCoo, Omar Easy and Eddie Drummond, but the players said the system didn't work, and the rushing game suffered.

But Paterno did not seem concerned about going back to using two or more backs.

"We're a little like we've been in other years," he said. "It's not a question of what you want to do; it is a question of being fair to each of the kids. A kid gets bumped up and doesn't practice for a few days. What do you do with him? Do you discard him or do you keep him in the mix competing? It's not an easy thing to do. Right now, we're up in the air about who is going to play and how much anyone in particular is going to play.

"I think we have excellent possibilities at tailback. I just don't want to be arbitrary about it. I want to make sure each kid thinks he has had a chance to prove how good he is. There is not that much difference between any of them."

The offensive line is the other big concern, and Paterno only seemed certain about one player there yesterday -- senior center David Costlow. He said he would likely come to a decision on the other four positions by tonight.

The line is going through a transition after four seniors graduated. One player who was expected to earn a job is ineligible. E.Z. Smith, a part-time starter at guard last season, was cited twice within a week this summer for having an open container of alcohol on campus. He is in school but is not practicing with the team. Paterno did not say if he is ineligible for academic or disciplinary reasons.

Finding his replacement has proven difficult. Paterno said true freshman John Shaw, who started camp at defensive tackle, was moved to guard to provide depth and has not been ruled out as someone who could play this season. Redshirt freshman Levi Brown, another player moved from defensive tackle at the beginning of camp, is doing well at offensive tackle, but Paterno said he was unsure if he was ready to start the season on the first-team.

"The last two days we've made some real progress," Paterno said. "We're real close. [Today] we might make up our minds about what kids we want on the offensive line."

One surprise yesterday was the announcement that junior Gerald Smith, the No. 3 receiver last season who figured to be among the top three receivers in the rotation, asked to be switch back to the defensive backfield. His departure leaves quarterback Zack Mills with one experienced receiver -- returning starter Tony Johnson.

Ernie Terrell, Terrance Phillips, Kinta Palmer and Josh Hannum are competing to fill out the rotation. They have two career receptions among them.

"No one besides Tony Johnson has jumped out," Paterno said. "They're all close. I think we'll be all right there. I can't tell you who will be first, second or third. I feel very good about the receivers as I do the running backs."

NOTES -- Junior outside linebacker LaMar Stewart, who started 10 games last season, will redshirt this season because of personal problems. ... Senior fullback Paul Jefferson, a part-time starter last season, will not play this season. He has been involved in a number of off-field incidents. ... LBs Gino Capone and Derek Wake are on the Butkus Ward watch list. ... Jon Jackson, a true freshman defensive back from Philadelphia, was injured early in camp and might not begin college until January in order to preserve a season of eligibility.

Ray Fittipaldo can be reached at rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1230.

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