written by Boz

STRENGTHS
For the first time in two seasons, the Nittany Lions enter the season without a question mark at quarterback. Zack Mills stepped in after former starter Matt Senneca was ineffective and came within one game of making the Lions bowl eligible last season. Mills scrambling ability not only makes him a better than average runner, but also buys him time to make the throw downfield for big yardage. Like the QB spot, last season was running back by committee in Happy Valley. Larry Johnson led the Lions in rushing last season with a paltry 337 yards rushing, but with graduation taking away his competition, he will be counted on to carry the entire load this season. Johnson has the size, (6-2 222 lbs), and durability to become one of the best to wear the Blue & White. The receiving corps will once again be led by Bryan Johnson who caught a team high 51 passes for 866 yards last season. The 6-2 210 lb receiver had a breakout season last year and became the go-to receiver. At the other spot will be Tony Johnson (Larry's little brother) who has shown a knack for making big plays and led the team with an 18.7-yard average. The offensive line returns four starters from last season as well as two former starters and should be one of the best in the Big Ten. Tackles Gus Fielder, (6-5, 321), and Chris McKelvy, (6-3, 325) are the strength of this unit, but former walk-on Joe Iorio is the heart. Tyler Lenda owns the right guard position with the other being up for grabs between Eric Rickenbach, Scott Davis and Nick Marmo. If the Nittany Lions are to return to the top of the standings it has to start on this side of the ball. Last season's 5-6 finish, though disappointing to many had some good things come out of it. This year's offense has an exciting nucleus of talent and enters with fewer questions especially at the skill positions.

CONCERNS
On the surface, the Lions appear to only have two spots in question. Those are at the fullback and tight end spots. Former tight end Sean McHugh has been converted to fullback and must be able to fill the shoes of Mike Blosser. Though not a household name, Blosser was a devastating blocker with sure hands and a main part of last year's offense. McHugh had an impressive spring game, but must improve on his blocking abilities especially at picking up the blitz. Behind McHugh is a pair of juniors, Paul Jefferson and Ricky Upton, who had a combined 7 carries for 36 yards in 2001. At tight end, R.J. Luke has had some legal problems and has decided to forgo his last season at Penn State while transferring to a I-AA school. With Luke becoming a non-factor, the tight end responsibilities fall to junior Casey Williams who has saw little playing action in his three seasons in Happy Valley. The biggest concern is the lack of proven depth. If Mills or Larry Johnson were to go down with an injury, Penn State fans can start preparing for next season. With the exception of the offensive line, the same can be said at the other spots on this unit. Most of the backups are underclassmen, but more importantly have little game experience, which could lead to a third consecutive non-wining, non-bowl season.

written by Boz

STRENGTHS
The defense also returns seven starters and is clearly the strength of this team. Up front Jimmy Kennedy and Anthony Adams return at the tackle spots with fellow senior Michael Haynes manning one of the end positions. The return of Kennedy, who was a first-team All-Big Ten selection, was a big boost to this unit. The 6-5, 330 lb standout tackle is among those on the watch list for both the Lombardi and Bronko Naguski trophies. Sophomores John Bronson and Jeremiah Davis will contest the other end spot opposite Haynes. The secondary also returns three starters in safeties Shawn Mayer and Yaacov Yisreal and cornerback Bryan Scott. Both Yisreal and Mayer were pleasant surprises last season, but the real talent is Scott. He has great nose for the ball and led the team with 62 solo stops. The defense is the best since the days when Courtney Brown and LaVar Arrington prowled Beaver Stadium and will be the main reason the Nittany Lions put aside their losing ways.

CONCERNS
Penn State has long been known as Linebacker U, but this position represents the main weakness on the defensive side of the ball. Deryck Toles enter the season as the lone returning starter, but his playing time is limited to 25 to 30 plays due to a rare enzyme deficiency. Promising sophomore Derrick Wake is being counted on to recapture the big play ability he displayed as a freshman after suffering a season-ending knee injury early in last seasons Miami game. Behind Toles and Wake are untested second year players Lamar Stewart and Jimi Mitchell making Wake's return essential to the success of this unit. The inside spot will be heavily contested. Junior Sam Ruhe was moving from defensive end during the spring and will battle fellow Junior Gino Capone and sophomore Tim Johnson for playing time. The lack of depth in the secondary is another problem. At cornerback, Richard Gardner is the only other defensive back with any experience and will have to fend off youngsters Chris Harrell and Alan Zemaitis for the spot left vacant by the graduation of Bruce Branch. Lining up behind Mayer and Yisreal are Paul Cronin, Andrew Guman and James Millon. All have yet to see the field on a consistent basis.