Penn State, BC renew old rivalry

It may be the last meeting between the two former independents.
BOSTON (AP) -- Penn State coach Joe Paterno visited Boston often as an undergraduate at nearby Brown, and again when Penn State played Boston College every year in the 1980s and early '90s.
But when the two former independents joined conferences -- BC the Big East in 1991, and Penn State the Big Ten in 1993 -- the regular matchups between the schools stopped.
"It will be good to go back," Paterno said this past week as he prepared to play Boston College tonight.
The Eagles returned to Penn State last year, posting a 27-14 win -- just their third victory in the 22-game series that dates back to 1949.
"Penn State's a lot better than they were last year," BC offensive lineman James Marten said Wednesday. "I know they're going to take it to us."
Nationally televised
This year's nationally televised game takes on added significance -- not just because it may be the last between the teams for the foreseeable future with BC headed to the Atlantic Coast Conference -- but because both teams see it as a launching pad for a successful season after winning their openers.
BC (1-0) opened the season with a 19-11 road win against Ball State. Penn State (1-0) beat visiting Akron 48-10. "I think it will help show our program and the strides we've made the past five years, the direction the program's going," BC coach Tom O'Brien said. "There are a lot of good things about playing on national TV, especially against a storied program such as Penn State."
Last season's loss to the Eagles sent the Nittany Lions into a downward spiral that culminated in a 3-8 season. BC finished 8-5, including a 35-21 win over Colorado State in the San Francisco Bowl.
"It is a little bit of a payback, but it's more of a sense like they're our next step in what we have to do," Penn State linebacker Tim Shaw said. "They're our primary obstacle right now in trying to build this thing in the right direction, to continue winning."
That might take another effort from quarterback Zack Mills to match last week when he became the first player in Paterno's 39 years as coach to run for a touchdown, catch a touchdown pass and throw for a touchdown in the same game.
Michael Robinson is another versatile player who can play -- and has played -- everywhere in the backfield and at wideout.
"They can do some of the things Penn State is traditionally known for," said BC defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka. "Running the ball down your throat and trying to beat you with their speed."
BC quarterback Paul Peterson, who has won four consecutive starts dating to last season, will operate without last week's top rusher and without perhaps his best offensive linemen.
Redshirt freshman L.V. Whitworth, who came off the bench to run for 129 yards and a touchdown last week, is expected to miss at least four games with a left knee injury. Jeff Ross will likely play in his place.
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