ormer players support Paterno EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ The game might have been in New Jersey, but the result and atmosphere was like something that spewed out of Happy Valley. The same problems Penn State hasbeen having this season have now carried over to the Meadowlands, and to former Nittany Lions Kerry Collins, Brandon Short and Brett Conway-at least for one day. There was an overthrow of an easy pass to Ike Hillard, and a misguided missile on a third and long. Mixed in there was a terribly high and overthrown pass to an open Amani Toomer and two interceptions all thrown by Collins. On the defensive side where Short roams, there were missed tackles, missed interceptions and Short personally got beat for a touchdown early in the game Not to mention a very pedestrian second-year quarterback beating the Giants downfield with relative ease. Conway saw the field only twice the entire afternoon, on a kickoff and extra On the Atlanta side, rookie safety Brian Scott had a bittersweet career game. Six tackles, an interception and a recovered fumble. "It was sweet, I wouldn't say bitter," joked Scott after his team's 27-7 victory. "It's demoralizing, but only as demoralizing as you make it," Collins said. For a second, if you were there, with so many PSU ties, you honestly thought Joe Patemo was some where on the sideline yelling at the officials. But alas, no JoePa, just a bunch of underachievers and a carbon copy of Joe Pa's current team. It's New York City and everyone notices these mis takes. For Collins though, all of these things haven't been that common this season. It just so happens that on this day, easily the biggest game at this point of the sea son for the Giants, Collins had one of the worst games of the season. And his teammates, with the exception of Tiki Barber, did nothing to help him out. Call it fate, call it whatever, but the Giants' field general was looking more and more like the feeble Zack Mills with his inability to get the ball to his receivers and make plays when his team needed them most. To sum it up, there were a lot of similarities between the Penn State football squad and the New York Giants and not just because some players from the Lions are now with "Big Blue." Circle K gets by despite low participation The season of giving is upon us, and no club on campus knows how to give like Circle K. Circle K is part of the "K" family: The Kiwanis Club (Circle K's sponsors), and the Key Club, which is a high school version of Circle K. Circle K International is a collegiate service organilation with a worldwide membership that promotes fellowship, leadership, and service. Its mission is "developing col lege and university students into responsible citizens and leaders with a lifelong commitment to serving the children of the world." Circle K International is an organization for college and university students who are committed to communi ty service. Current membership is 12,288 college students on 507 campuses in 13 nations in North and South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and West Africa. It is a fairly new club at PSH. lit was started at last year and was chartered with twenty members. Recently, Circle K has prepared dinner for the residents of the Essex House, a low-income housing development for seniors, in Middletown "They really enjoy our company," said Rachel Shepherd, Circle K president. "Sometimes we play Bingo with them and make them snacks. We try to do any community service we can get our hands on." Circle K has also recently been at The Ronald McDonald House for the fami lies of hospital residents. They also have a night of caroling and snacks planned for the Essex House in December. By ERIC THOMAS Staff Reporter By LISA O'MALLEY Staff Reporter "We're struggling, at least if one of us could be winning it would make it easier on the both of us, " said Conway of his old school. Short was out there, but at the same time, nowhere important, beaten badly by Warrick Dunn on the game's first drive, his jaw was rampant but his tackling ability absent. Still when asked about the situation at his old stomping grounds, Short took a very selfish approach, and rightfully so. "Of course you pay attention to it, but I've got to worry about what the heck's going on in my life," Short said. "I loved him[PaternoJ, he's been a great coach there for years, I haven't been there, I don't know what's going on there right Despite the loss, there was more to this story than just another game with the Atlanta Falcons. All three players were part of, arguably, the best generation of players ever at Penn State. Everyone remembers Collins and Conway for their dramatic 1994 season in which the Lions fielded the best team in the nation. Short was part of the last great team, the 1999 squad that won 10 games en route to an Alamo Bowl appearance. "The thing I keep hearing is that they should fire Joe. Joe is they. Joe has built not only the athletic program, but the whole Penn State [campus]. I don't think they should fire him. I just saw him last year and he looks the same, he's running around the same. There's some things that need figured out," added Conway. Conway and Scott were willing to talk at length about the situation, where Short was, well...short. "What [Joe] did for me there, what he's done for that program, it wouldn't be nowhere if it wasn't for him," Short said. One thing that can be said is that at least some Penn Staters will enjoy success this season. While the Falcons are out of the playoff chase, the Giants despite their 4-5 record are still alive, but barely. Too bad the same thing can't be said for the current product in Happy Valley. While the club strives to give all it can, like other clubs, membership is low, and that is taking its toll. "We have a really strong officership but our members are extremely busy. Our club is small so it makes it difficult sometimes to com plete projects or do anything big." said Shepherd, who recognizes the work involved in community service. "I offer incentives to get my club motivated- food at meetings, a 'circle key' of the month, socials, etc... this way we don't get bogged down by doing just com- munity service." Small membership will not stop Circle K. They are looking to do more with the Middletown Kiwanis Club, who have many events throughout the year, such as a Craft Fair in June, the Halloween Parade in October and their Rose Sale in September. The most recent chance to give is coming up soon, and everyone can help. Every year, the Colonial Park Mall sponsors "A Magical Night of Giving." This year' s magical night is Sunday, November 16, 2003 from 6 p.m. until 9 .pm. The mall stays open an extra three hours and all the stores hold special sales only available to ticket holders. Door prizes will also be awarded throughout the night. Tickets are $5. Circle K is taking part in selling tickets, and all tickets pur chased though them will benefit their organization. All clubs on campus are doing it to raise money for their organization. Anyone interested in helping Circle K can contact Rachel Shepherd at rbsls3@psu.edu or visit the Student Activities office. Each player has experienced the pain of losing at PSU, but neither expected the type of problems their alma mater is having right now. "It's tough, we're not there so we don't see every thing. We see the result which, I don't think there is any PSU alumni that's happy with it right now. Its tough for us to stomach," said Conway. "I think it is sad how much [slack Joe] is getting. This is his fifth losing season, and I was part of two of them, but when I left there I noticed he still had it, he still had his competitive fire," said Falcons strong safety Brian Scott.
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