BEACON S 29-ORTS List of Earl Branden Albert OG Virginia JR Adrian Arrington WR Michigan JR James Banks WR Carson-Newman JR Earl Bennett WR Vanderbilt JR Martellus Bennett TE Texas A&M JR Davone Bess WR Hawaii JR Calais Campbell DE Miami (FL) JR Jamaal Charles RB Texas JR Patrick Chung S Oregon JR Ryan Clady OT Boise St. JR* Anthony Collins OT Kansas JR James Davis RB Clemson JR Johnny Dingle DE West Virginia JR Franklin Dunbar OT Middle Tenn. St. Jermichael Finley TE Texas SO Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech JR Vernon Gholston DE Ohio St. JR* Ryan Grice-Mullen WR Hawaii JR Letroy Guion DT Florida St. JR James Hardy WR Indiana JR Derrick Harvey DE Florida JR Geno Hayes OLB Florida St. JR Erin Henderson OLB Maryland JR Jack Ikegwuonu CB Wisconsin JR DeSean Jackson WR California JR Felix Jones RB Arkansas JR Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma JR Justin King CB Penn St. JR Xavier Lee QB Florida St. JR Curtis Lofton ILB Oklahoma JR Mario Manningham WR Michigan JR Jerod Mayo ILB Tennessee JR Darren McFadden RB Arkansas JR* Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois JR Phillip Merling DE Clemson JR Alphonso Moran DT Kansas St. JR DaJuan Morgan S North Carolina St. JR Lamar Myles OLB Louisville JR Brandon Ore RB Virginia Tech JR Kenny Phillips S Miami (FL) JR Chilo Rachal OG USC JR Bobby Reid QB Oklahoma St Ray Rice RB Rutgers JR Orlando Scandrick CB Boise St Pat Sims DT Auburn JR Steve Slaton RB West Virginia JR* Kevin Smith RB Central Florida JR Reggie Smith S Oklahoma JR Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon JR Aqib Talib CB Kansas JR Devin Thomas WR Michigan St. JR Mario Urrutia WR Louisville JR tos 111 Behrend Hockey looks to bounce back in 'OB by Jess Carlson sports editor j1c.50 ISO psu.edu In the first half of their season, The Penn State Behrend hockey team proved that they have nation al title potential, going 13-4-1 overall and 6-1 in the challenging College Hockey East (CHE). With the second half of the schedule containing some of the top teams in the natio will have their hands full their national hopes alive. Behrend ended 2007 on disappointing note, going 2 in the Jackson Communitl College Hockey Tournament in Jackson, MI. Losing to Lawrence Tech 5. 4 and Oakland University 5. might have put a dent on tl record, but Behrend coni their fifth ranking in tilt Division of the American Hockey Association (ACHA). Senior Brysten Jones, who had a goal and two assists in the JCC Tournament, said that the team has moved on since the poor performance at Michigan. "It was not how we wanted to finish the season, but we have had about a month to think about it and we are ready to get hack on track this weekend." Senior standout DJ Craven has had a heck of a season so far, scoring 27 goals and 37 assists in 18 games. Sophomore Chris Simanic and Senior Dan Entries in the 2008 NFL Draft Thiessen, who are on a line with Craven, are also leading the way for Behrend in scoring. Simanic has been avoiding a sophomore slump, with 24 goals and 33 assists in 18 games. Thiessen missed five games earlier in the season due to a shoulder injury, but has come on since the injury, with 16 goals and 21 assists in 13 games. Sophomore goaltender Eric Thiessen has ar, showing that there is a bright between the pipes for Behrend. Thiessen has gone 6-3 with a .22 goals against average and a ;ave percentage of .893. Recently, the CHE held heir annual all-star game at the RMU Island Sport Center in `ittsburgh, PA. Behrend sent 'e players to compete in the s competition and the all-star Joining Craven. Simanic. and n was sophomores Aaron Marks and Matt Laskey. Marks. who participated in his first all-star game. enjoy playing in the event and is looking forward to the next half of the season. "I participated in a few events and had a great time throughout the weekend." This weekend. Behrend will host the Akron Zips On Frida\ Jan. 18. 9:20 pin al the Igloo Ice Arena. This is the first ever nieetin, hem eel) Akron and Behrend. On Saturday Jan. 19. Behrend travels in Morgantown to take on West Virginia University at 9:30 p.m. Steelers look to improve on 2007 season by Jess Carlson sports editor .jlcsolB(wpsu.edu It was not one of the Pittsburgh Steelers best sea sons: however, it is safe to say that it was quite an improvement from their 2006 season. Under the direction of new head coach, Mike Tomlin, the Steelers finished their season with a record of 10-7 and on top of the AFC North Division for the first time in three years. Prior to the start the 2007 season, the was a buzz of hostil amongst the fans. players and the fr; chise. For stark. many felt either Kt Whisenhunt or R Grimm were perk% adequate candidal for the open h( coach position. I only imagine the ut annoyance when t Steelers received thi first loss of the seat to the sub-par Ariz( Cardinals, who now coached Whisenhunt. Fans CONTRIBUTED PHOTO and players were also Rookie LaMarr Woodley tackles QB David Garrard upset over t sion to release loud mouth Joey Porter, as well as not renew Alan Faneca's contract. To top it all off, there was still clamor over whether or not quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was a reliable quarterback, or just a young guy who got lucky in 2005, followed by a league leading 23 interceptions in 2006. If there were still a lot of skeptics prior to their first game in 2007, there most likely is not anymore. Although they went one and out in the playoffs, in retrospect the Steelers had somewhat of a solid sea son. Roethlisberger, with a 104.1 passer rating and 32 touchdown passes, finished second in the league behind the flawless and undefeated Tom Brady. "Fast" Willie Parker had run for more than 1,200 yards for the third consecutive season, and had he not broken his leg in game 15, he would have lead the NFL in rushing yards. The Steeler defense was ranked No. 1, and new head coach Mike Tomlin led Coed Swimming: Deadline is Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. Ping Pong: Deadline is Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. Arena Football: Deadline is Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. For more information contact Rob Wittman at rww3@psu.edu ti• ti• cr Do You Like Writing? Do You Love Sports? Then Join the Beacon! The Behrend Beacon is looking for sports writers. If you are interested in writing for the Beacon, you can con tact Jess Carlson at jlcsolB@psu.edu or Andrew McLachlan at asmsoo6@psu.edu his time to a regular season record of 10-6; an improvement from their 8-8 2006 season to say the least. But along with the good numbers, there were also some had. In the past two seasons Big Ben has been sacked 93 times, 47 times in 2007. Needless to say, the Steelers biggest improvement for next season is the offensive line. The majority of the line is old and no longer able to give Roethlisberger the protection he needs and Parker the big blocks for an open running lane. One of their biggest losses will be All-Pro Guard Alan tneca when he becomes 'ree agent on Feb. 29. It is been known since the Dallas Baker who is 6'3 Another improvement would be to find a power runner. Parker is quick, but is not a power runner. The Steelers need to find someone more like a Jerome Bettis who can power run up the middle for short yardage when it is needed; Najeh Davenport is not the man for that job. Maybe if the Steelers had not lost five starters to injuries late in the season, they may have had a bet ter chance of at least making it past the first round of the playoffs. In the meantime, while most players are enjoying their off season vacationing somewhere in the trop ics, WR Hines Ward is undergoing knee surgery and will be expected to be able to begin training in about six weeks. As for Big Ben. he is spending his off season time working out at the IJPMC facility in the South Side...oh. yeah, and taping commercials for American Idol. Intramural U The Behrend Beacon I Friday, January 18, 2008 ginning of the season Lt it would be highly likely Faneca would ,oethlisberger is push and hoping for the :eters to reconsider and ep Faneca. Along with , hopes of keeping tneca, Big Ben is also aping for tall receiver. telt - tallest receiver, lo saw playing time s Nate Washington at The Steelers have signed a number of play ers to future contracts, date