Rebuilding Lions tie in Blue-White By DARLENE HROBAK Daily Collegian Sports Writer The curtain went up Saturday on this year's edition of the Nittany Lion foot ball team, but coach Joe Paterno didn't raise it too high. The Blue battled the White to a 22-22 deadlock at Beaver Stadium's annual Blue-White game, but all football fans got was a peak of things to come. If the intrasquad scrimmage proved anything, it was that Paterno and company have a few wrinkles to iron out and a few decisions to make before the first football Saturday of the fall. After the game, Paterno talked of such things as personnel flexibility and trying to get the right combinations on the field. "We're not anywhere near, at this point, where we were last year," he said. "We started so much further back; we moved so many offensive people around. But I think we made as much progress as we could have expected to this spring." And there were glimpses of a fine football team on Saturday. Dayle Tate, heir apparent to the quarterbacking job left by Chuck Fusina, came off a shaky first half and was 19 of 43 for 257 yards for the Blue. But tackles Matt Millen Donovan catches leads Blue to tie By DENISE BACHMAN Daily Collegain Sports Writer The Lions may have lost the fleet footed Scott Fitzkee, but there's another player who's more than ready to pick up where the split end left off. • Wide receiver Tom Donovan, who looks as though he's priming to become quarterback Dayle Tate's ace target, turned in a sparkling performance Saturday to help the Blue team salvage a 22-22 tie with the White team. He led all receivers, hauling in eight passes for 135 yards. "He's had a fine spring," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "We've got Donovan in the right spot. Our job now is to get the ball to him." Three times the Tate to Donovan aerial show led to a Blue 'score. In the third quarter, the senior's 34-yard catch, his longest of the day, set up Brian Franco's 42-yard field goal to put the Blue on top 6-3. Then with about seven minutes remaining in the game, and down 16- 6, the East Northport, N.Y. native squirted through numerous White defenders to grab two consecutive passes which were good for about 54 yards. Dave Opfar's touchdown catch followed and pulled the Blue team to within two of forging into the lead. Donovan's final heroic act was an eight-yard catch which set up Joel Coles' go ahead 12-yard touchdown scamper. "I knew we were going to throw a lot, so I wasn't surprised that the ball was coming my way," Donovan said. "And Dayle (Tate) was throwing the ball excellently. Case, Kubin excel as secondary struggles By JERRY MICCO Daily Collegian Sports Writer For three quarters of Saturday's Blue- White game, it looked like Penn State head coach Joe Paterno's squad was putting on a defensive exhibition. But five fourth quarter touchdowns, four through the air, soon changed everyone's mind in a hurry. "We threw it pretty good after we got warmed up," Paterno said. "I would hope we could go into the season with a quarterback and have a good passing game." The aerial bombardment may say something about the Lion's secondary for the upcoming season. Quarterbacks Dayle Tate and Jon Lebo seemed to throw at will against the secondaries of both the Blue and White teams. But Paterno's not worried about it. "The secondary has been good all spring," Paterno said. "We've been pleased with Grover (Edwards) all spring; he is a good player." Indeed safetys Edwards and Brian Kistler could be important keys to the Lion defense this season. These two along with sophomore Stuart McMunn will probably get the nod to fill the void left by All-American safety Pete Harris. Even if the secondary wasn't im pressive Saturday at least in the fourth quarter the interior line and linebackers were impressive throughout. One player who surprised everyone, except Paterno, was nose guard Frank Case. Case was all over the field Saturday and made numerous tackles. In his exuberence, he even tossed Tate to the ground a few times, even though Tate was not supposed to have contact. Collegian sports the daily (Blue) and Bruce Clark (White) were for the most part sleeping giants. "I don't know whether it's going to help us or not," Paterno said. "I think it was a good workout for what we wanted to do. We were looking to put some people in game-type situations and see how they would react. "And we wanted to take a good, long look at the kicking game. That was obvious." And it was obvious that the kicking game did get a long look. After three quarters, it seemed more like a battle between two field goal kickers than a battle between the Blue and the White. No one scored until the 12:21 mark in the second quarter when the White's Herb Menhardt hit a 32-yard field goal. Brian Franco followed with a 24 yarder to tie the score, and hit a 42-yard three pointer in the third quarter to put the Blue ahead, 6-3. And when the teams did start getting touchdowns, the two kickers were called on to attempt extra points from field goal distances. Paterno even made some extra points worth two points while others were worth one, just to add to the closeness of the game. It only took a fumble recovery by the "Since I'm a receiver I'd like to see us put the ball up in the air more. I guess that's being kind of selfish, but to have a really good offense you should have a 50-50 balance (running and passing) this keeps the defense honest." Phenomenal Blue-White per formances are nothing new to Donovan, however. Two years ago, the six-foot, 182-pounder was the standout of the passing attack, as he caught seven passes for 197 yards, including touchdown picks of 18, 37, and 70 yards. But Donovan was unable to carry his feats into the regular season. He suffered an ankle injury in summer .practice and was sidelined, for the entire season. "My only 'goal before spring practice ( this year) began was to get through without getting hurt," Donovan said. "Now that I ac complished that, I want to remain healthy. "I work pretty hard on it (ankle) and it doesn't bother me at all. It's to the point now where I have to think twice about which one was injured." This season Donovan will most likely be looked to to fill the shoes of Fitzkee and Bassett; no easy task by any means. "They're going to be hard to replace," Donovan said. "But there are a lot of good guys coming up so their losses won't hurt us that much. "I'm anxious for the fall to start because I want to see how good . we are. I had a pretty good spring so I fit in there (Paterno's plans) I'll be contributing in the fall." Case, who has played tackle before being moved to nose guard for Satur day's game has no real preference on where he plays. That decision Case says is up to Paterno. "I like nose guard," Case said, "but Joe's the boss and whatever he says goes." Case's play Saturday presents a pleasant dilemma for Pa terno. Greg J9nes, who started a few games at nose guard last year and played a lot in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama, played well enough yesterday to keep his job out of jeopardy. Jones also had some booming punts in the game so he does have some versatility. But like Harris, Cases's problem as far as playing time goes may not come from head-to-head competition, but from the classroom. Grades cost Case playing time last year and hopefully will not be a problem for him this year. "It would really be a shame if I couldn't play just for that reason," Case said. A couple other players Paterno singled out for having good performances in the game were linebacker Ken Kelley and defensive end Larry Kubin. "This is the best spring Kelley has had," Paterno said. "He made some great plays out there today." As for Kubin, he seemed to pick up where he left off last season. He had numerous sacks and performed in his role very well. "Kubin is as good as any defensive end in the country," Paterno said, "in cluding that kid (All-American end Hugh Green) at Pitt. But he'll never get the publicity of a (Bruce) Clark• or (Matt) Millen." White's Frank Case at the Blue's 19-yard line to start things rolling in the fourth quarter. Jon Lebo, filling in for Terry Rakowsky who was injured in the second quarter, took the White in for the score four plays later on a three-yard run by Booker Moore to put the White on top, 10- 6. Less than five minutes later Lebo hooked up with Scott Hettinger for a 60- yard pass play and another touchdown, and it was White 16, Blue 6. But then the Blue, aided by the passing combination of Tate to Tom Donovan, scored a pair of touchdowns and took the lead, 22-16. It was the White's turn to retaliate. "We weren't going to prove anything' down there," Paterno said, alluding to the competition between the split squad. "We were just maneuvering so we could get everybody out there playing and see the things we wanted to see." What Paterno saw was an interference call against the Blue at the White's 27, and then, with less than a minute remaining in the game, Lebo hitting Hettinger for the touchdown. Menhardt missed a 50-yard extra point try, and the game ended in a tie. EXTRA POINTS The captains for Starts slow but comes alive in second half Tate still the answer to on; By JON SARACENO Daily Collegian Sports Writer Penn State's quarterback hunt resumed Saturday afternoon and when the search had ended, X still marked the spot. The search was conducted by the Lions' coaching braintrust and dictated by the need of an able replacement for graduating Chuck Fusina. It left no doubt in the head honcho's mind who the No. 1 quar terback for Penn State is in 1979 Dayle Tate despite the ominous-looking red X he donned on his jersey to remind the Lions' hungry defense that it's not open season on recuperating quarterbacks. "Tate's the quarterback somebody's got to beat him out," coach Joe Paterno said after Tate dissected the Lions' best secondary for 197 yards and one touchdown in the second half of the Blue-White game. "I think Dayle gained confidence in the second half. He has a tendency to throw the ball high," Paterno said. "He's a good runner and a smart kid. He could run the option if we decided to use one." But the way Tate started the first half, it appeared as though Penn State's quarterback woes for next season were just beginning. For while Tate exhibited his strong throwing arm, he also managed to heave the football over, under or beyond the outstretched grasps of targets Tom Donovan, Scott Hettinger and Brad Scovill. "In the first half I was missing by a couple of yards, then a yard, then a foot and then I started hitting," Tate said. "I had to keep throwing the ball until it came and finally near the end it started to click. "Coach Paterno just kept saying during the first Rich Milot . . . to Washington Chuck Correal . • . to Philadelphia =ME Photo by Mark Manlyre Tony Petruccio . . . to San Diego the 1979 season, as voted by the team, are offensive tackle Try Pankey, defensive tackle Matt Millen and linebacker Lance Mehl . . . The crowd of approximately 28,000 was the largest in Blue-White gamehistory . . . At halftime .offensive tackle Bill Dugan was the recipient of the Red Worrel award, and defensive end Gene Gladys won the Jim O'Hora award. The awards are given "for exemplary conduct, loyalty, in terest, attitude and improvement" during spring practice. Final Statistics Blue Team White Team First Downs Rushes•yards Passing yardage Return yardage Passes Punts Fumbles•lost Penalties Score by quarters: Blue team White team Scoring summary W Menhardt 32 FG B Franco 24 FG W Moore 3 run (Menhardt kick) W— Hettinger 60 pass from Lebo (kick blocked) B— Opfer 19 pass from Tate (Franco kick) B Coles 12 run (Franco kick) W Hettinger 27 pass from Lebo (kick failed) three quarters to keep throwing. I really appreciated that encouragement, it helped." The sluggish start Penn State's first offense (Blue) experienced Saturday doesn't come as news to Tate. "The offense went into the game not expecting to perform that well because of past scrimmages, people being moved around and just a lack of cohesion and confidence, maybe," said Tate, who finished the game completing 19-43 passes for 257 yards and one in terception, while guiding the Blue to 16 first downs. Tate called spring practice a "frustrating" period for him and said Saturday's gaMe provided the perfect outlet for his emotions. "I felt like I had such a release of frustration out there that I began to do the things I know I can do, such as throw the ball," he said. And throw the ball Tate did. With Tate operating the controls of the Blue's pass-oriented offense, the sophomore from Virginia aired it out. The result was several nifty hookups with wideouts Donovan and Hettinger. "We've got Donovan in the right spot," Paterno beamed of ter the game. -,"We've got to make sure we get the ball to him. He's a big-league receiver." Hettinger played defensive back last season and made the switch to receiver look easy as he hauled in five passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns, including a 60-yard scoring strike. "He played likd a game player today he was after something," Paterno said. One of the problem areas all spring had been the offensive line and Paterno said he thinks it will even tually jell into a solid bunch, despite the heavy toll graduation took (Keith Dorney, Chuck Correal and Eric Three more in draft, By JON SARACENO Daily Collegian Sports Writer Three more dreams came true for Penn State football players Chuck Correal, Rich Milot and Tony Petruccio Friday afternoon when they were selected in the second and final day of the professional draft in New York. The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Correal as their number four pick in, the eighth round (acquired from' Buffalo) while Washington scooped, up Milot as its 17th selection in the, seventh round and San Diego claimed Petruccio 17th in the 10th round. The three additional draftees brings the total number of Penn State players taken in the draft to nine. Only Oklahoma and Notre Dame with 10 players each had more players chosen in the first 10 rounds. Correal; the Lions' number one center for the last two years, said he was sitting on pins and needles Friday waiting to be selected. "It was really a release of pressure to get drafted I was pretty tense after not getting drafted on the first day," said the 6-4, 244-pound Correal. "I have to admit my hopes were high; I was disappointed when I didn't go higher. I thought I would go on the first day." Correal joins teammate Scott Fitzkee, drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round, in Philadelphia a team apparently in need of help at center with veteran holdovers Guy Morriss and Dennis Franks. "I was really glad to go to Philadelphia because I'll have a good shot at making the team down there. I feel that they need good linemen they could use a good center," said a confident, but not cocky Correal. Apparently the Eagles weren't the only National Football League team eyeing Correal. More than 20 ballclubs contacted the Uniontown native, sending him letters (a common practice), calling him and sending down coaches to work out with him. But, did Correal have any 36-37 48-32 257 115 43-194 14-4-3 7-32.9 9-40.8 2-1 241 3-49 9-55 0 3 3 16 72 0 3 0 19 72 Correal, who said he's been keeping in shape since the end of football season by lifting weights, leaves Thursday for Philadelphia's rookie camp. He received some sound ad vice from Eagle offensive line coach Ken Iman, a former Los Angeles Ram center. "He told me to keep working on my long snaps for punts," he said. The All-East center plans a career in law after football, but 'for the . meantime is "going to give it my best shot" at making the big-time. Milot, on the other hand, was drafted by the Eagles' NFC Eastern Division competition Washington, a team in the rebuilding stages of the George Allen era. Redskin officials told Milot they wanted him to play outside linebacker and are perhaps grooming him for All-Pro Chris Hanberger's position, something which will soon be vacant. ' "He's retiring and they said they really have only two other established linebackers," said Milot, who played tailback, defensive end, and defensive halfback his first three years and filled in ably at linebacker for the injured Rick Donaldson last season. Of course, the Skins have a fairly linebacker-oriented head coach in Jack Pardee, longtime linebacking great with the Rams and later the Redskins. But that doesn't mean Milot won't be called upon to be Mr. Flexible, as he was here. "I really don't know where I'll be playing positively; they talked Photo by Mary Sara& Tailback Booker Moofe, who rushed for 63 yards and one touchdown for' the White on Saturday, steps over linebacker Ed Pryts en route to a short &ti c , around the left end. The Blue-White game ended in a 22-22 deadlock. _, . 3 QB question mark Lions taken teammates 0 Join ,preferences? "There's always three or four teams it would be great to "go to, but . . ~" Correal said, his voice trailing off. "I'm a big Steeler fan, but looking at the personnel they had I didn't envision going there. It would be hard to make it there. "I thought maybe the Miami Dolphins to back up (center) Jim Langer for a couple of years and maybe have a chance to start," he said. Monday, May 7, 1979 —6 Cunningham). - However, with the way the White defense had Tate sprinting out for his life, it appears Bob Jagers,, Bill Dugan, Sean Farrell, Iry Pankey and Steve Stupar, will need more time to mesh together. . Besides Penn State's new aerial attack, one of.the gaping holes the Lions must fill is their kicking.gatk,e with the departure of All-American placekicker Malt Bahr. The two sophomore sidewinders in contention for the opening are holdovers Herb Menhardt and Brian Franco. Both had their moments Saturday. • "I felt pretty good about my kicking, overall," Franco said. "The one hit the post and I was a little nervous at first. Once I kicked a couple through, I felt i•I the groove," said the Altoona native who booted,field goals of 24 and 42 yards. , - ' Menhardt, who decided to give up soccer to con centrate on football, hit a 32-yard attempt, but had.one field goal try muffed by holder Terry Rakowsky , and another blocked. - "I blame myself for that," Menhardt said ,of the blocked kick. "I was a little slow. I think I might havt. the edge (for next year), because of experience,. but Brian's a real good kicker." KICK-OFFS: Tailback Booker Moore led the rushing oriented White offense with 63 yards on 19 tries Joel Coles led the White with 71 yards . . . Freshman .Jon Lebo tossed for 106 yards and two TD's, but Paterno said afterwards, "He's reluctant to throw the WO: unless somebody's 100 miles open." . . . Paterno on safety Pete Harris' academic probation and hopeful return to the team in the fall: "It's all up to Pete Harris. He's got a tough job ahead of him." . . . linebacker, but maybe free safety, too," he said. "If I'm playing linebacker I might have to put on some weight. "I'm really not sure. I feel good at the weight (220 pounds) I'm at now and I think I could play it (linebacker)," Milot said. The Redskins certainly couldn'l have afforded to waste any of their ; selections they had only five so Pardee and Co. took what they probably needed the most, a linebacker who could provide depth. They've scheduled a meeting with Milot for Tuesday morning. "It was always on my mind; I always wanted to do it (play pro • football)," he said. "I - think it's that way with just about everybody that jitt plays at a major college. The freshmen who came in this year see how many people are going on the draft, and they'll think 'good op portunity.' " Milot's enthusiasm at the prospect of playing in Washington bordered on something like a new strain of . Potomic Fever. . • "They seem like a class team with . a real good organization," he said. "It just seems like there would also be a lot of opportunities in D.C. while I'm playing there or after. I've gotta make it first, though." I!I►i Petruccio leaves for sunny southern California today to par ticipate in a "mini-camp" for San Diego draftees. The 6-4 1 / 2 , 241-pound defensive tackle said he was taken by • surprise at his selection, one which Philadelphia owed San Diego. "Deep down I didn't think it would happen," Petruccio said, "but I'm glad it did." He said he doesn't know if the Chargers are stockpiled wall . tackles or not, but said either way' he's got his work cut out for him. "Tenth round —that's pretty low: I IP have no idea what my chances are," .. he said. "I've never been to- California. I'm looking forward to it - hope I stay there long enough to_ enjoy it," Petruccio said laughing. ~'
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