Wednesday, September 10, 2003

By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Penn State coach Joe Paterno put his team through a tougher-than-usual practice Monday afternoon after watching his team miss tackles, blow assignments and get beaten up physically in a 27-14 loss to Boston College. More rigorous workouts are scheduled this week as coaches are re-evaluating starting positions.

Several players will be given opportunities to compete for playing time, most notably on the struggling offensive and defensive lines.

"We obviously have to assess everybody on the offensive and defensive line," Paterno said yesterday at his weekly news conference.

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The offensive line, which has five first-year starters with other inexperienced players rotating into the game, has not developed into a strong unit. Penn State has not had a 100-yard rusher in its two games. Some of the Lions' most successful running plays are quarterback draws and designed runs.

Paterno's hopes of riding the passing game while the line developed appear to have gone by the wayside after several breakdowns had quarterbacks Zack Mills and Michael Robinson on the run throughout the game against Boston College.

"I think it was just the fact that they overpowered a couple of our kids," Paterno said. "I don't think it was a question of them knowing what we were going to do because I am not sure we knew what we were going to do. I just think they beat us up front due to a couple of kids who have not played a lot."

One player who might get a chance this week is sophomore guard Charles Rush, who did not play in the first two games because of a knee injury. When asked about his line play, Paterno harped on the inconsistencies of the starters.

Senior center David Costlow said the Boston College game was an important learning experience for the players on the offensive line.

"Boston College was big and they had speed off the edge," Costlow said. "That gave us trouble. Nebraska is the same way. They're big and even faster off the edge. We'll have to play better. That game was a wake-up call for a lot of guys who saw what it takes to play at this level."

Paterno appears to have a little more confidence that his defensive line will turn around soon. Penn State is allowing 220 yards rushing per game and gave up 259 yards on the ground against Boston College. Last season, the Lions allowed 114.8 yards per game.

But that was with two first-round and a second-round NFL draft picks on the defensive line. This year's smaller and less experienced players are having a hard time filling the shoes of Michael Haynes, Jimmy Kennedy and Anthony Adams.

"It seems like the other team is always gaining 3 yards," linebacker Gino Capone said. "We're not getting that penetration to create those negative plays that set a team back to a second-and-10, instead of a second-and-6."

If the Lions are going to be competitive against Nebraska, the defense must perform better. The Cornhuskers have the No. 8 rushing offense in Division I-A with 270.5 yards per game.

"I think our rush defensive people are going to be OK," Paterno said. "They are young. We are not good enough, but we will get better. ... I don't think we tackled very well, but I wouldn't blame that on the down guys. Obviously, we can improve, but I'm not going to panic over it. I think that the kids played hard and are adequate. They just have to get a little more experience, and we have to be a little more aggressive when it comes to the tackling part of it."

Other positions where changes could be made are at cornerback and receiver. Paterno said sophomore defensive back Anwar Phillips will get an opportunity this week to earn some playing time. Phillips did not play in the first two games. He was acquitted of sexual-assault charges Aug. 26.

Phillips was credited with turning Penn State's pass defense around last season when he became the nickel back midway through the season.

In an effort to spark Penn State's passing game, Paterno moved Gerald Smith back to receiver from defensive back. Smith is the Lions' second-most-experienced receiver on the team. He caught 11 passes for 129 yards as the No. 3 receiver last season. Paterno said Smith requested to be moved from receiver to defensive back before preseason camp.

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