2006 Statistics

After huge self-made expectations resulted in a rather ho-hum 2006 performance, QB Anthony Morelli can hopefully take a modest step back and realize that he doesn’t automatically have what it takes to lead this team. That doesn’t mean the hugely talented senior can’t learn/acquire the tools for success; he just has to put that much more work in. After the team struggled on offense (only broke the 30-point barrier four times), the tall Pittsburgh native will show why he was such a highly regarded recruit (No.2 dropback prospect), especially if he doesn’t try to win games by himself. Losing Tony Hunt shouldn’t mean a step back at TB – Rodney Kinlaw looks ready to again be a workhorse and produce accordingly, while the biggest surprise on this side of the ball may continue to be A.J. Wallace (2006’s top CB prospect) as a regular rock carrier. The speed these two bring is enough to keep foes chasing them for an entire 60 minutes, especially with senior starting FB Matt Hahn again plowing holes. Where Hunt may be most missed is in the flat (27 receptions) as neither new TB is a proven snarler. Not to worry…all of the Lion’s receivers (three deep) are back, giving Morelli proven role players whom he should know well. Look for Derrick Williams to continue to get at least three or four carries per game in an attempt to get the speedster more touches. The loss of All-American left tackle Levi Brown should be minimally felt with four of the other five starters back on the line. The well-sized unit needs to get back to superior run blocking – State’s backs averaging 4.3 ypc will not get this team back into the top 10. Some bad news...OG Elijah Robinson's football career has ended as a result of a neck injury sustained in spring practice. Morelli coming to fruition would make coordinator Galen Hall’s system again flourish. As Morelli’s worth goes this season, so goes Penn State.

Inverse to the offense, the line on this side only returns one starter. Obviously, this is sure to impact last year’s No.7 run stopping unit. Junior end Josh Gaines is solid in his efforts, and the youth movement seen here will infuse new guys sure to become household names there in central PA. Maurice Evans, proven in run support, looks a lot like the other end after earning 3.5 TFLs out of his 12 tackles last year. Big men (especially tackles) are stacked in the wings, and how long they take to procure will be the other major factor (besides Morelli) that dictates how far PSU goes. All-American Dan Conner could move inside (ala Posluszny last year), and after having more sacks, INTs, safeties and forced fumbles than Posluszny, the Wallingford-native seems poised to be the next great one to grace the Lion’s LB Hall of Fame. Returning starter Sean Lee has proven why the junior is also in line after his breakout campaign on the outside. This area is also laden with four-star recruits hungry to play for Joe Pa, so expect little drop off from the corps and expect they can lend a hand up front. Junior corners Justin King and Tony Davis are smother-types who can take chances and still recover if they seem beat. Classmate Anthony Scirrotto had a breakout 2006, earning all-Big Ten honors as his six INTs tied for most in the nation amongst underclassmen. “HERO” Scirrotto plays deep center, focusing his speed on foe’s passing game way more than run stopping. The rest of the secondary looks extremely underdeveloped, meaning new nickel, dime and other types of role players have to be found before State is solid here. Sure, the starters are great, but after them…one big question - will A.J. Wallace switch back to DB or possibly play two ways, like King did? It’s all just another wacky year under coordinator Tom Bradley, who has done better with worse, so expect holes to be filled and guys to be ready by fall.