Where Oh Where Have My Running Backs Gone?
April 10 – April 17, 2006
I’d like to start by apologizing for not posting this yesterday, but hey, it was Easter Sunday, and as Eric Cartman would say “Whatever, I do what I want!” As promised, I will be including the current depth chart in this week’s edition. This isn’t for the Blue/White game, but for fall. The incoming freshmen have not been added because they are not yet enrolled in classes.
OFFENSE
Let’s jump right into the bad news. Austin Scott sustained a knee injury in the coaches’ clinic scrimmage last week. At first no one thought anything of it – maybe just a twist the wrong way or something. We’re not that lucky. The knee endured a strain, or possibly an MCL tear when he was going for the end zone and was awkwardly tackled by several defenders.
Scott is definitely out for the Blue/White game this Saturday, and there’s no telling when he might be back to full strength. After his explosive performance in the Orange Bowl, Scott was expected to get serious carries this fall behind returning 1000-yard rusher Tony Hunt. Hunt is still finishing up his recovery and is also sitting out the game Saturday. This now leaves the lions with only Rodney Kinlaw and Matt Hahn as the only remaining healthy tailbacks. Fifth-stringer Matt Pinchek is also on the injured list.
Since the scrimmage, the coaching staff has had nothing but good things to say about Quarterback Anthony Morelli. He worked extremely well under center and in the shotgun. I think Penn State fans will be pleasantly surprised this fall. The offensive line is finally beginning to take shape as the lions near the end of spring practices. Rich Ohrnberger and Greg Harrison have been used sparingly at center, mainly to get some depth going behind first-stringer A.Q. Shipley, and backup Patrick Weber. It is my honest opinion that A.Q. Shipley will have an all-conference year at center this season. He was head and shoulders above E.Z. Smith in terms of reliability, concentration, and character. Shipley has three years left at Penn State, and if he doesn’t get even an honorable mention next year, then I can almost guarantee all-conference honors in 2007.
QB
14 Anthony Morelli | 6-4, 220, Jr., 2V
15 Paul Cianciolo | 6-4, 222, So., 1V
13 Kevin Suhey | 6-1, 200, Fr., RS
TB
26 Tony Hunt | 6-1, 230, Sr., 3V
33 Austin Scott | 6-0, 209, Sr., 3V
8 Rodney Kinlaw | 5-9, 203, Jr., 2V
FB
30 BranDon Snow | 6-0, 242, Sr., 3V
34 Matt Hahn | 5-11, 230, Jr., 2V
38 Dan Lawlor | 6-2, 241, So., 1V
WR
3 Deon Butler | 5-10, 166, So., 1V
24 Jordan Norwood | 5-10, 168, So., 1V
83 Kevin Cousins | 6-3, 205, Fr., RS
WR
2 Derrick Williams | 6-0, 201, So., 1V
84 James McDonald | 6-2, 189, Fr., RS
4 Terrell Golden | 6-2, 215, Jr., 2V
TE
44 Patrick Hall | 6-2, 251, Sr., 3V
89 Jordan Lyons | 6-4, 249, So., 1V
88 Kevin Darling | 6-3, 242, Sr., 3V
OT
67 Levi Brown | 6-5, 328, Sr., 3V
79 Chris Auletta | 6-4, 300, Jr., 2V
70 Wyatt Bowman | 6-5, 329, So., 1V
OT 78 John Shaw | 6-4, 299, Jr., 2V
79 Chris Auletta | 6-4, 300, Jr., 2V
61 Matt Lowry | 6-4, 296, Fr., HS
OG
76 Gerald Cadogan | 6-5, 311, So., 1V
64 Rich Ohrnberger | 6-2, 296, So., 1V
56 Austin Hinton | 6-2, 289, So., 1V
OG
65 Robert Price | 6-0, 299, Sr., 3V
58 Greg Harrison | 6-3, 290, So., 1V
73 Dennis Landolt | 6-4, 291, Fr., RS
C
57 A.Q. Shipley | 6-1, 297, So., 1V
60 Patrick Weber | 6-1, 271, Jr., 2V
62 Ross Muir | 6-3, 273, So., 1V
DEFENSE
Penn State coaches are taking a deeper look in to the 3-4 alignment this spring than last spring. The defensive line is now growing more confident and comfortable in that scheme. Jim Shaw and Josh Gaines look to feel good in their end spots and former starter Ed Johnson is holding up the nose tackle spot. Once recruiting stars Aaron Maybin, Maucice Evans and Jared Odrick come to campus this summer, the D-line will have considerably more depth than during Saturday’s Blue/White game.
Tony Davis and Justin King are the new “IT” guys at cornerback. Both are playing with a confidence that no fans would expect from such a young secondary. As I’ve been saying for a few weeks now, I feel that this secondary that Penn State will be entering the season with has more raw talent and much more speed than the outstanding group from the last two years. Once they begin to jell like Zamaitis, Philips, Lowry, and Harrell did, I am convinced that they will be much, much better. The depth in this year’s secondary seems to be unparalleled in the 2006 college football world. Knowledge Timmons and incoming recruit A.J. Wallace will be outstanding backups, and should see significant playing time like Justin King did in 2005.
DE
99 Jim Shaw | 6-3, 264, Sr., 3V
86 Mike Lucian | 6-2, 276, So., 1V
54 Jed Hill | 6-2, 251, So., 1V
DE
47 Josh Gaines | 6-1, 263, So., 1V
87 Chris Rogers | 6-2, 257, So., 1V
94 Tom Golarz | 6-1, 232, Fr., RS
DT
13 Jay Alford | 6-3, 288, Sr., 3V
53 Steve Roach | 6-1, 308, Sr., 3V
97 Richard Cheek | 6-1, 292, Sr., 3V
DT
95 Elijah Robinson | 6-2, 287, So., 1V
92 Ed Johnson | 6-1, 290, Sr., 3V
93 Chris Baker | 6-2, 290, Fr., RS
OLB
31 Paul Posluszny | 6-1, 238, Sr., 3V
45 Sean Lee | 6-2, 222, So., 1V
51 Joe Cianciolo | 6-0, 224, Sr., 3V
MLB
40 Dan Connor | 6-3, 225, Jr., 2V
46 Tyrell Sales | 6-2, 234, So., 1V
19 Andy Kubic | 6-4, 204, Sr., 3V
OLB 20 Tim Shaw | 6-1, 237, Sr., 3V
5 Jerome Hayes | 6-0, 236, Fr., RS
52 Dontey Brown | 6-2, 236, So., 1V
CB
1 Justin King | 5-11, 179, So., 1V
25 Devin Fentress | 5-9, 175, So., 1V
10 Lydell Sargeant | 5-9, 176, So., 1V
CB 11 Tony Davis | 5-10, 193, So., 1V
21 Knowledge Timmons | 5-9, 181, Fr., RS
22 Darien Hardy | 5-10, 202, Sr., 3V
28 Willie Harriott | 5-8, 176, Fr., RS
S
6 Donnie Johnson | 5-11, 209, Sr., 3V
37 Spencer Ridenhour | 5-11, 199, So., 1V
80 Mark Rubin | 6-2, 213, So., 1V
S
24 Nolan McCready | 6-0, 202, Sr., 3V
7 Anthony Scirrotto | 6-0, 192, So., 1V 2
2 Darien Hardy | 5-10, 202, Sr., 3V
NEXT WEEK
-Blue/White game review.
That wraps this week’s “Around the Town, with Penn State Football.” Come back every Sunday night for more weekly round-ups of what’s going on in Nittany Lion football. And as always, please e-mail me your thoughts, opinions and questions!
|
Penn State 