Penn State Preview
By Neil Rudel

As it enters fall camp intent on reversing a trend of two straight losing seasons and four in the last five years, Penn State has two particular strengths - its defense and its schedule.

The Nittany Lions return nine starters from a unit that a year ago allowed just 14 touchdowns in 11 games and was the only team in the nation to not allow more than 21 points in any game.

Each position has a nucleus of experienced and talented players. Linebacker Paul Posluszny and cornerback Alan Zemaitis, defensive co-captains, are consummate leaders.

The schedule is another factor that should work to the Lions' advantage. They open with consecutive home games against South Florida, Cincinnati and Central Michigan, which should help an offense that ranked among the nation's worst last year. Following a trip to Northwestern, the Lions return to host Minnesota and Ohio State with the Buckeyes' visit already scheduled in prime time. That's five of the first six at Beaver Stadium. If PSU can start strong, it's not inconceivable to think the Nits can be 5-0 while welcoming Ohio State.

There's been an infusion of speed at the wide-receiver position, but one major question remains: Can the offensive line keep quarterback Michael Robinson, or backup Anthony Morelli, healthy? It surely couldn't last year at Wisconsin when Zack Mills and Robinson were knocked from the game - MRob via ambulance - in the first quarter.

Compounding the offensive challenge will be the status of lineman Tyler Reed, Andrew Richardson and E.Z. Smith. All sat out spring drills for disciplinary reasons, though Reed and Richardson are back.

Summer reports indicate tailback Austin Scott, who spent 2004 in Joe Paterno's doghouse, has committed himself and will challenge incumbent Tony Hunt. Scott could be the kind of game-breaking back the offense has lacked since Larry Johnson's departure.

Which brings us to the sidelines: Will Paterno, stalking the kind of swan song he can feel good about before retiring, delegate or micro-manage? Can the offense operate with the decisiveness that Tom Bradley has ably directed the defense? In an unprecedented move, last year's offensive coordinator, Galen Hall, relocated from the field to the press box at midseason. The results were the same until the Lions rung up 37 points in the season finale against Michigan State.

Penn State can only hope the Spartans were not the end of 2004 but the start of 2005.

Nittany Lions Season Keys

Key Big Ten game:
at Northwestern, Sept. 24
After what should be a 3-0 start, it's the Lions' Big 10 opener, which they've managed to lose five straight years.

Key out-of-conference game: There isn't one.
It would have been Alabama had the schools not delayed an announced two-year series until later in the decade or beyond.

Top newcomers:
CB/WR Justin King and WR Derrick Williams King may see action on both sides of the ball along with special teams; Williams was considered the nation's top recruit. Both enrolled in January, and the first two passes of the Blue-White Game went to them.

Player on the hotseat:
QB Michael Robinson
He has been moved all over the field while waiting four years behind Zack Mills for a chance to be a one-year star. And Anthony Morelli is breathing down his neck.

Offensive gamebreaker:
WR Derrick Williams
Expected to start from day one, his presence on the perimeter should make defenses better respect PSU's running game.

Defensive gamebreaker:
DE Tamba Hali
The Lions are stocked at end with seniors Matthew Rice and Lavon Chisley, but the best one may be Hali, whose 12 tackles for loss last year led all PSU linemen.