Replacing linemen on both sides of the ball is key for Penn State

Five offensive linemen and three on defense are gone this year.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Larry Johnson spent the second half of last season rewriting the rushing portion of Penn State's record book. But despite his 2,087 rushing yards and 7.7 yards per carry, Johnson might not be the most difficult piece of the puzzle to replace.
Wide receiver Bryant Johnson, who was most likely to draw attention away from Larry Johnson last year, has joined his teammate in the NFL. What's worse, most of the offensive line that opened so many holes for Larry Johnson has graduated.
The Nittany Lions lose four of five starters on the offensive line, and three of last year's defensive line starters are in the NFL.
In short, Penn State's success or failure this year could come down to how quickly the Nittany Lions can shore up their lines.
"It is a tough job," coach Joe Paterno said. "I don't think there is any question about that."
Mills back at quarterback
Quarterback Zack Mills returns for Penn State after passing for 2,417 yards and rushing for 201. Also back is Michael Robinson -- backup quarterback, running back, wide receiver and all-purpose-decoy -- who completed 10-of-17 passes last year and was the team's second-leading rusher.
But it's unclear how much time they'll have to operate behind a largely inexperienced offensive line. Complicating the problem, the only returning starter, E.Z. Smith, was cited for underage drinking twice in one week this summer.
Paterno said the way it looks now, his team might need to throw more than 40 times a game to win. But the players know that must change for the Nittany Lions to be successful.
"At some point we're going to have to get the line together and point out a tailback that's going to be our main guy," receiver Tony Johnson said.
Tailbacks are inexperenced
Mike Gasparato and Tim Shaw are the top returners at tailback, but combined for just 217 yards last year. Freshmen Donnie Johnson and Austin Scott may also be in the mix.
Tony Johnson, Larry's younger brother, returns after making 34 catches for 549 yards last year, and there's a bevy of young receivers looking to prove themselves, including Kinta Palmer, Terrance Phillips and Ernie Terrell.
Defensively, the task is no less daunting. Linemen Michael Haynes and Jimmy Kennedy were drafted in the first round, and Anthony Adams went in the second.
"I am a little bit concerned about the size. We don't have a 330-pounder like Kennedy. The kids that we are going to play will be 275 to 280 pounds. That is big enough if they can learn enough technique."
The Nittany Lions also lost their leading tackler, safety Shawn Mayer, and top corner, Bryan Scott.
But Paterno is high on his secondary, and with good reason. Yaacov Yisrael, projected as a starter last year at safety before a knee injury ended his season, is back. So is Calvin Lowry, who replaced Yisrael before breaking his right leg against Iowa, and Chris Harrell, who started after Lowry's injury. Rich Gardner is a returning starter at corner, and Alan Zemaitis is expected to start at the other corner.
Four linebackers return
At linebacker, starters Derek Wake, Gino Capone and Deryck Toles all return. Lamar Stewart, who started nine games at outside linebacker before Toles took the job, is also back, although Paterno said he may be sidelined by academic problems.
Penn State could be challenged early, first by Boston College on Sept. 6, then at Nebraska the next week. Michigan drops off the schedule as part of the Big Ten rotation and the Nittany Lions get Ohio State at home Nov. 1.
"There is tremendous potential on this football team," Paterno said. "Whether we can realize that potential this year or whether it is a year away, I don't know."