UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
The long wait for football to return in Happy Valley is over. Welcome to game week for the 2011 Penn State
football season.
The Nittany Lions have
been on the practice field since Aug. 4 prepping for the 125th season on the
gridiron. On Monday, Coach Paterno
released the final preseason depth chart leading up to Saturday's clash with
Indiana State.
The coaching staff
will again spend the week evaluating several spots on the depth chart. For now, let's take a look at some of the
notable items on the latest depth chart.
Offense:
- Rob Bolden and Matt
McGloin are currently sharing the top line at the quarterback position. As we have written throughout the preseason,
both Bolden and McGloin have split reps with the first team at practice. Both players have looked much more
comfortable under center after a season of game experience.
- Senior guard
DeOn'tae Pannell has emerged on the top line at left guard after a strong
preseason. Sophomore John Urschel and senior Johnnie Troutman are vying for the
starting spot at right guard for Saturday's opener. Seniors Quinn Barham and Chima Okoli have
been consistent at the tackle positions during preseason practice, as has junior
Matt Stankiewitch at center.
- Take note of Nate
Cadogan moving back to tackle (behind Barham at LT) after playing tight end
during the 2010 season and during spring practice. With the depth at both positions, the
coaching staff moved Cadogan back to the offensive line.
- Silas Redd is poised
for a strong sophomore campaign at the tailback position. Redd and junior Brandon Beachum will see the
bulk of the carries on Saturday.
Additionally, sophomore Curtis Dukes is primed to play a role in the
running game. Senior tailback Stephfon
Green is back on the roster, as well.
- Penn State will
field a deep corps of wide receivers in 2011.
Redshirt sophomore Shawney Kersey has taken a significant step forward
during preseason practice. Kersey will
play a big role at receiver, alongside veterans Derek Moye and Justin Brown. Look for Devon Smith to play a key role in
the rotation, as well. After battling
injury throughout the 2010 season, senior Andrew Szczerba is back healthy at
tight end.
- Freshmen wide
receivers Bill Belton and Allen Robinson have put themselves in a position to
potentially earn playing time during the early stages of the season after a
strong preseason practice period.
- It is worth noting
that depending on the formation for the opening play of Saturday's game, the
Nittany Lions could start with three wide receivers or a tight end (Szczerba)
and/or a fullback (Joe Suhey or Michael Zordich).
Defense:
- It has been a long
road back to the starting lineup for defensive ends Eric Latimore and Jack
Crawford, who both battled injuries last fall.
Latimore, Crawford and Sean Stanley have all spent time with the first
team during preseason practice. Devon Still and Jordan Hill have the potential
to be a potent duo in the middle of the defensive line.
- At linebacker, the
most notable change since the post-spring depth chart is Michael Mauti shifting
to outside linebacker and sophomore Glenn Carson moving to the top spot at
middle linebacker. Carson is another Nittany
Lion who has played very well during the preseason. Additionally, Gerald Hodges (OLB) is poised
to play a big role on the defense in 2011.
Sophomore Khairi Fortt has shifted from outside linebacker to the
middle.
- The Nittany Lion
secondary is the most experienced group on the Penn State depth chart. The starting rotation of D'Anton Lynn (CB),
Chaz Powell (CB), Nick Sukay (FS) and Drew Astorino (Hero) will make up an
all-senior defensive backfield. After
playing receiver for much of his career, Powell is relatively new to the
secondary, but Pennsylvania native has found a home at corner. Veteran corner Stephon Morris and safeties
Malcolm Wilis and Stephen Obeng-Agyapong bring significant game experience to
the secondary, as well.
- Like the wide
receiving corps, freshman cornerback Adrian Amos has played well during the
preseason and will potentially see action during the early portion of the
season.
Special Teams:
- Sophomore Alex
Butterworth has been the primary punter during preseason practice. Butterworth stepped in for injured Anthony
Fera in the final three games of 2010.
The Indiana native averaged 38.1 yards on 12 kicks last season.
- Former wide receiver
Evan Lewis has exhibited consistency during the preseason as a placekicker. Lewis has made a superb adjustment following
three seasons as wide out. Freshman
kicker Sam Ficken has also shown a strong leg, and he will vie for playing time
early in the season.
- Center Ty Howle will
handle the snapping duties on field goals and PATs, while senior Jon Rohrbaugh
will handle the punt snapping.
- Chaz Powell and
Devon Smith bring superb speed to the special teams unit on kickoff
returns. Justin Brown and Smith will
play a significant role in the punt return game.
Check out the full depth chart here:
Stay tuned for much more on GoPSUsports.com as we close in
on the Indiana State game.
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Media Specialist Tony Mancuso on Twitter @GoPSUTony
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