Penn State in Fla. already
Sunday and Monday will be off days before the Nittany Lions resume practice.
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- The Penn State football team is getting a few extra days of sun and fun before facing Florida State in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3.
Coach Joe Paterno brought the Nittany Lions to South Florida on Tuesday to start preparations for the Orange Bowl. Paterno, the Associated Press Coach of the Year, said Thursday that he likes to arrive early for bowl games to allow his players time to enjoy the host city and get prepared.
"We've always come a little bit early," Paterno said. "It gives us a chance to have the kids together without a lot of distractions. Right now I'm working them pretty good here."
Penn State practiced at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton on Wednesday and Thursday and will do so again today and Saturday before leaving for Miami on Saturday afternoon.
On Saturday night, the team and members of their families will have a Christmas party. Sunday is an off day and possibly Monday, which will still give the Nittany Lions a week of practice before facing the Seminoles.
Keep away from the stingers
While the players are making the most of the extra work, they are trying to have some fun. Junior linebacker Paul Posluszny, who is from Aliquippa, Pa., was at the beach for the first time in his life, but said he is afraid of all the jellyfish.
"I'm staying away from those," he said.
The team also celebrated Paterno's 79th birthday, which was Wednesday. Senior quarterback Michael Robinson said the players had a cake and sang to Paterno. The players didn't give Paterno any gifts, but a few ideas were mentioned.
"I'd probably spend some money on him to take a driving course," senior cornerback Alan Zemaitis said. "He doesn't drive too well. He might need a chauffeur."
Robinson said he might get Paterno a new pair of his trademark glasses.
"I don't think they make those glasses anymore," Robinson said.
Like two-a-days
Penn State's last game was Nov. 19 against Michigan State, so the players are using the extra practices to get back to basics and regain their timing. Robinson compared it to two-a-days prior to the season.
"When you have this long to wait for a bowl, you don't want to get bored with the same preparations," Robinson said. "Coach Paterno does a great job of mixing some things up and making practice a little bit different. With all this time, it works out in our favor."
Posluszny said half the practices have been about fundamentals and the other half facing "a mock Florida State" with the scout team.
"The more time the better," Posluszny said. "There is a certain point when it can be too much, but overall it's going to be a good experience being down here and getting the chance to practice more."
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