4 Wednesday, September 9,1998 SPORTS/C A T .F-NDAR The Capital Tlwi« ■■
Joe Pa’s Lions thinking positive despite setbacks, criticsm
by Matthew Bowman
The Nittany Lions football squad has taken
the field again this year under the direction
of University icon and head coach, Joe
Patemo. Even with the loss of several out
standing offensive players, the Lions are op
timistic about the season and are poised to
prove their critics wrong.
Many experts foresee the Blue and White
finishing in the middle of the Big Ten with
no real shot at the national title whatsoever.
But the players have a different outlook.
Kenny Watson, junior kick and punt returner
and Harrisburg native said, “I think we have
been working as hard as any team we’ve had,
and as long as we come together as a team
we’ll do all right.”
In retrospect, Watson feels that the loss of
key players may be beneficial for the team
in the long run. Without a lot of standout, big
name players, everyone has to pick it up, and
it becomes a total team effort, he said. “Ev
eryone has to produce.”
With the vacancy left by Mike McQueary,
the Lions will have there third different start
ing quarterback in as many years. The lead
ing signal caller candidates are junior Kevin
Thompson and sophomore Rashard Casey;
both of whom had good performances this
spring. As for who becomes the starter, no
Sunday
6 7 8 9 Capital Times staff 10
meeting
1:30 p.m.
The Urban Landscape rinhfpst
Drawings, paintings, v D , D
mixed media Showing SGA meetings Vartan Plaza or Rm.
in the Gallery Lounge LABOR DAY Every Tuesday "What's Goin'On" 216 (rain)
through Oct. 30 No Classes 12:30 pm MHCC - 9 p.m. Noon
13
Grandparents
Day
Rosh
Hashanah
begins at
sunset
official decision has been handed down yet.
Offensive coordinator Fran Ganter was
quoted by Chris Masse, Collegian staff writer,
as saying however, “Right now Kevin would
take the first snap, but they’re in a good
battle.” Both players throw the ball well, but
Casey brings another dimension to the of
fense. He can run well with good speed, a
factor that critics think will be the reason why
Casey gets the nod after several games.
Joining the quarterback behind the line is a
solid running back corps
which has recently taken
some serious hits. Anthony
Cleary decided to leave Penn
State and is now attending
Shippensburg University, and
Watson has decided to red-
shirt this season due to injury.
Watson was to see some car
ries at tailback as well as continue as kick
and punt returner. On a positive note, Aaron
Harris is a possible starter while recovering
from the anterior cruciate ligament tear that
he received last year. The staff feels that Har
ris could be the first to fill Curtis Enis’ shoes,
but that would mean a move from the full
back to tailback position. Also making waves
in the backfield are Cordell Mitchell and
Chris Eberly, both who have experience and
have produced for the team in the past.
The Campus Calendar for Penn State Harrisburg
Monday
14 15 16 Capital Times staff 17 18 19
meeting
12:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Brass PSU
Blizzard of Bucks Gallery Lounge - vs
MHCC - 9 p.m. Noon Pittsburgh (A)
"... as long as we
come together as a
team, we'll do all
right."
- Kenny Watson
Tuesday
22
First day of
Autumn
Yom
Kippur
begins at
sunset
The offensive line will be key to say the
least for Penn State’s offensive production,
and several questions still remain. Who will
replace Kevin Conlin and Phil Ostrowski?
Can the returning starters guide the young
players and form a cohesive unit? Eric Cole,
John Blick and Floyd Wedderbum hope to
do so and should be the leaders in the
trenches.
Rounding out the offense are the receivers
who will try to make 1997 standout Joe
Jurevicius just a name from
the past. Chafie Fields brings
his big play ability to the
front, and Joe Nastasi will be
there as well. The staff is op
timistic and is thinking posi
tive about these two. Corey
Jones and Sam Crenshaw
will also see the ball. Senior
tight end Cuncho Brown will be very impor
tant to the attack and makes a nice target for
passes down the middle as well as being able
to gain yards after the catch.
On the defensive side of the ball the line is
anchored by returning end Courtney Brown.
With excellent outside rushing ability and
strength, Brown looks to repeat his sopho
more year performance which consisted of
33 tackles, 15 of which were for losses, and
six sacks. Like Watson, Brown feels confi-
Wednesda’
Thursday
Capital Times staff 24 25 26
meeting
12:30 p.m.
Student Leader
ship Workshop
"Strange Like Me"
9 a.m.
Oct. 1
Capital Times staff
meeting
12:30 p.m.
dent in the team’s chances. “We seem to be
coming together more as a unit,” he said. That
will be of utmost importance for the defense
as they will face some potent offenses dur
ing the Big Ten season. A second bright spot
for the defense is the return of Brad Scioli to
the line who made a move last year to the
tight end position. Junior tackle David
Fleischhauer is a probable starter with Justin
Kurpeikis battling for the other end position.
The old saying of Penn State being “line
backer U” holds true once again for this
year’s squad as well. Butkus Award nominee
Brandon Short leads the backs and the de
fense on the field with his tenacious pursuit
of the pigskin. Despite missing the majority
of three games with an ankle injury, Short
still managed to bring down 55 ball carriers
during the 1997 campaign. Joining Short will
be La Var Arrington, Maurice Daniels, Mac
Morrison and Aaron Gatten; all of whom will
do battle for starting positions.
The secondary is trying to rebuild after the
loss of Jason Collins and Shino Prater, and
opposing offenses will look to key on the
pass. That, however, makes seniors Shawn
Lee and Matt Joyner and junior Derek Fox
all the more ready to make a name for them
selves. Also in the mix will be junior
conerback David Macklin and Titcus
Pettigrew who moved from wide out to hero.
Frida 1
11 12
PSU
vs
Bowling Green
(H)
Arts & Craft Show
Saturday
Ohio State (A)