Week 1: Coastal Carolina at Penn State

Joe Paterno’s age and length of tenure at Happy Valley lived in the news all offseason and will continue to detract from his team’s mission at hand. Perhaps the distraction can be a positive for Paterno’s 2008 club, as the offense lacks an identity, and for the first time in years the defense lacks a dominating force at linebacker. Saturday’s game against Coastal Carolina is a cakewalk, to be sure, but it should offer insight into whether Paterno can pull one last winning season out of his pocket.

On Tuesday the team named Daryll Clark its starting quarterback. Last year Clark attempted more runs than passes, but he will have Deon Butler and Derrick Williams to turn to when he does unload. Both can be expected to have big days this weekend.

The Chanticleers won three of their final four contests of 2007 to finish with a respectable 5-6 mark, but they haven’t played a team of Penn State’s caliber. Coastal Carolina returns 15 starters but its top two offensive playmakers from a year ago – running back Mike Tolbert and wide receiver Jerome Simpson – have moved on. This one could get ugly in a hurry.

Notes:

A win will tie Paterno with Bobby Bowden for most career wins – of course, Bowden’s Seminoles have the week off.

Coastal Carolina won a share of the Big South title in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Nittany Lions starting running back Evan Royster led the team in yards per carry last year (6.3) but carried 10 or more times in just three games. He now must assume a much heftier workload.

Key Player (Chanticleers) – Keith Graham, WR

The freshman wide receiver has been pegged by many to one day replace Simpson as the Chanticleers go-to receiver. His first test: a hungry and physical Penn State back seven. Welcome to college football, Keith.

Key Player (Nittany Lions) – Anthony Scirrotto, S

The offseason loss of linebacker Sean Lee was devastating. This is still a club that will earn its way with its defense, however, and the senior strong safety is now arguably the team’s top playmaker on that side of the ball.

Penn State by 41