Receivers galore in Penn St. game

Isaac Smolko caught three passes and Adam Senk won an award.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Joe Paterno didn't want to single out one receiver as the most improved when he spoke before Saturday's Blue-White game.
The wide receivers showed why, excelling as a unit while lacking an individual standout performance as the Blue team won 24-7 in the final scrimmage of Penn State's spring practice on Saturday.
Ten different wide-outs caught passes as the Nittany Lions concentrated on attacking the middle of the field. Ryan Scott, who was urged by Paterno to leave the team before spring practice, led all receivers with five catches for 101 yards.
Two Youngstown--area players were in the spotlight for Penn State.
Isaac Smolko, a red-shirt junior tight end from Springfield High, had three catches for 26 yards.
Adam Senk, a red-shirt junior fullback from Cortland and Warren JFK High, received the Frank Patrick Memorial Award, for a junior class squad member who consistently follows through on all responsibilities, including academics, off-season preparation, in-season commitment, demeanor and community spirit.
"I'm glad he decided to stay," quarterback Zack Mills said of Scott. "He's a guy who always had the talent and for whatever reason could never put it together."
Trying to rebound
Now under the leadership of former Lions quarterback Mike McQueary, the wide receivers are trying to rebound from a dismal season plagued by dropped passes and missed routes.
Mills had the best control of the offense, which has undergone several changes under new coordinator Galen Hall. Mills completed 7-of-11 for 118 yards for one touchdown. The teams combined for 509 yards passing.
"Well, Galen likes to throw the ball, so that's nice," Mills said. "We've been working all spring on getting that middle of the field, and it worked out today."
The quarterbacks and wide receivers spent most of spring practice together, a plan apparently hatched by Hall.
"If they did that, it was Galen and Jay's call," Paterno said, referring to his son Jay Paterno, the quarterbacks coach.
"Last year, the wide receivers would hear one thing and we would be told another before the game," quarterback Michael Robinson said. "Then when there was an interception, we'd be looking and trying to figure out whose fault it was."
Terrell Golden, who was a red-shirt last fall, caught four passes for 54 yards including a touchdown from Robinson. Golden ran a fade and Robinson's pump fake left him wide open.
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