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The offense was a major disappointment as the quarterbacks couldn't throw, the receivers couldn't catch, and the running backs couldn't do much behind a young offensive line that struggled. While this year's attack won't make anyone forget about the 1995 Nittany Lions, new offensive coordinator Galen Hall seems to have brought a spark and excitement. Expect more passing and better production from the receiving corps despite the loss of 2003's leading receivers.
Star of the offense: Sophomore RB Austin Scott
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior WR Gerald Smith
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore OT Levi Brown
Best pro prospect: Scott
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Scott, 2) Brown, 3) QB Zack Mills
Strength of the offense: Quarterback
Weakness of the offense: Receiver
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Zack Mills, Sr. - Injuries, inconsistency, and receivers that couldn't
catch all plagued the talented Mills last year. Never about stats, Mills
started off his career as the type of quarterback who wasn't flashy, but
made plays with his arm, feet and head. Then last year everything fell apart,
hurt as much by an ankle injury as anything else, only throwing six touchdown
passes to go along with five interceptions to go along with 124 rushing
yards. Before he was able to just be part of the Penn State attack, now
he has to be the reason the offense works.
Top Backups
- Michael Robinson, Jr. - Robinson continues to be one of the more dangerous
quarterbacks in the Big Ten thanks to his rushing ability, but his passing
didn't come around last year, despite a huge day against Wisconsin, only
completing 45% of his throws with five touchdown passes and five interceptions
in place of Zack Mills. He can also lineup as tailback and wide receiver
with too much athleticism to keep on the bench.
- Chris Ganter, Jr. - Ganter's job is to hold on kicks as the clear number
three in the quarterback rotation. He went 0 for 3 in a limited role last
year, but he's dangerous as a holder able to throw on a fake field goal,
or run like he did for a touchdown against Virginia. Don't be stunned if
he makes more of an impact this year after looking decent this spring finishing
the spring came completing 13 of 25 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns
with no interceptions.
The Skinny: The talent is there, now it has to come through as Zack
Mills has to cash in on his promise after starting his career as one of
the Big Ten's most promising all-around backs. Michael Robinson has throwing
issues, but opposing defensive coordinators have no interest to see him
under center. New offensive coordinator Galen Hall wants to throw the ball
more, and that seems to have rejuvenated the quarterbacks.
Player to keep an eye on: Chris Ganter ... Quarterback Rating: 7.5
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Austin Scott, Soph. - The 214-pound Scott came to Penn State as a much
ballyhooed recruit and came through with a good first season leading the
Nittany Lions with 436 yards and five touchdowns. While that might not seem
like much, it wasn't bad considering there was no passing game and the offensive
line stunk. He has the talent to be a superstar with the right help around
him, and he's going to be the player the offense revolves around even though
there's going to be more passing.
- Paul Jefferson, Sr. - Jefferson used a redshirt season to be ready to
take over for Sean McHugh this year and he'll be a more-than-adequate fill-in
for one of the team's top players.. He's a solid 259-pound blocker with
good hands able to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Top Backups
- Mike Gasparanto, Sr. - The starter coming out of spring ball last year,
Gasparanto didn't play thanks to several injuries. He isn't nearly as talented
as Austin Scott or Tony Hunt, but he has enough experience to provide reliable
depth.
- Tony Hunt, Soph. - The 6-2, 218-pound Hunt is the biggest tailback in
the mix with outstanding athleticism and good hands. He's a great young
backup to have behind Austin Scott.
- Brian Gilmore, RFr. - It'll be up to the 243-pound Gilmore and junior
Adam Senk to provide the fullback depth. Paul Jefferson won't need to sit
much, but this is an area that needs development.
The Skinny: It's all up to Austin Scott. He has the type of talent
to become the sort of out-of-the-blue superstar that Larry Johnson became
a few years ago, but he also needs the line in front of him that L.J. enjoyed.
There's decent depth to share the workload. Paul Jefferson should be one
of the Big Ten's best fullbacks.
Player to keep an eye on: Paul Jefferson ... Running Back Rating: 7
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Gerald Smith, Sr. - The former defensive back has been a decent receiver
over the last two seasons making 26 catches for 327 yards and a touchdown
despite missing the last few games of the year with a concussion. He's a
good player with nice upside, but it remains to be seen if he can shine
as the team's go-to, number one guy.
- Gio Vendemia, Jr. - The former defensive back brings outstanding athleticism
to the receiving corps. He'll have a battle on his hands with Terrell Golden
for the flanker job, but he has the smarts and skills to be a solid producer.
- Tight end Isaac Smolko, Jr. - The 6-5, 257-pound junior found time last
year with injury problems and poor play plaguing the rest of the tight ends.
He mostly played on special teams, but he made one catch for three yards
and a touchdown.
Top Backups
- Terrell Golden, RFr. - Golden redshirted last fall and looked like a star
in the making at times this spring. He has excellent speed with great size
providing a 6-3, 209-pound target who is a great route runner considering
his inexperience.
- Ryan Scott, Sr. - Scott was wasn't doing much and didn't appear to have
much going for him in his career getting to the point where Joe Paterno
suggested he quit the team. That might have been the wake-up call as he
looked great this spring leading all receivers in the spring game with five
catches for 101 yards.
- Terrance Phillips, Jr. - With the rest of the receiving corps having production
problems last year, Phillips turned into a decent producer as the season
went on finishing with eight grabs for 136 yards and a touchdown with a
team leading 12 yard-per-catch average. He'll be backing up Gerald Smith
needing to be a top deep threat.
- John Bronson, Sr. - Bronson was an average defensive end last year making
28 tackles, two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss when pressed into starting
duty. He's switching over to tight end to add a physical blocker with decent
athleticism.
The Skinny: The team's top five pass catchers from last year are
gone, but you're not going to see many tears shed as the receiving corps
flat out stunk. The talent and athleticism was there, but there was one
major problem; no one could actually catch the ball. Look for a night-and-day
improvement as this year's inexperienced group appears to be far sharper
and should put up big numbers with the ball being thrown around more.
Player to keep an eye on: Terrell Golden ... Receiver Rating: 6
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Levi Brown, Soph. - Brown was thought of as one of the team's rising
defensive tackle prospects, but he moved to the offensive line and turned
in a solid season starting every game at left tackle. With his size and
feet, he's expected to progress into a top tackle.
- Guard Charles Rush, Jr. - The former defensive lineman needed a while
to get the hang of the offensive side, and now he should be a solid producer
with a year of experience under his belt. He started eight games on the
left side.
- Center E.Z. Smith, Jr. - Smith was all ready to be one of the team's better
guards before getting hurt last spring. The 276-pound junior was a little
small to play guard and should shine moving to the the middle.
- Guard Tyler Reed, Jr. - Reed was one of the team's best linemen last year
and was among the most consistent. The 303-pound junior started the final
ten games of last year on the right side and could quickly grow into an
All-Big Ten caliber talent.
- Tackle Andrew Richardson, Jr. - The 294-pound Richardson will get the
first shot at taking over the right tackle job. The former tight end is
athletic and should be decent in time.
Top Backups
- T John Wilson, Jr. - The 319-pound junior is one of the team's bigger
linemen with a little bit of experience. He's not the talent that Levi Brown
is, but he can step in and start without a problem.
- G Scott Davis, Sr. - Davis isn't the team's best lineman, but he's good
enough to start if needed getting the nod in four games last year. An ankle
injury cut last season short and limited him this spring. He'll push for
time behind Charles Rush on the left side.
The Skinny: Experience has to translate into production as the line
only paved the way for 3.7 yards per carry, but wasn't horrible in pass
protection only allowing 19 sacks. As players like Levi Brown and Tyler
Reed get older to provide a few anchors, this line will get better. E.Z.
Smith could quickly become a star at center.
Player to keep an eye on: Levi Brown ... Offensive Line Rating: 6.5
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