RB looks to keep Penn St. in 'Hunt'
Thursday, August 24, 2006 He gained 1,000 yards last year for 19th-rated Nittany Lions. STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Quiet and unassuming, running back Tony Hunt doesn't draw much attention, except when he's on the football field. The 1,000-yard rusher returns for his senior season for No. 19 Penn State, and that's good news for coach Joe Paterno given that backups Austin Scott and Rodney Kinlaw have been banged up this preseason. When healthy, there's quite a bit of talent and potential in the backfield. At this stage of camp, 10 days before the Nittany Lions open at home on Sept. 2 against Akron, running back is one of the few positions the coach is confident about discussing. "We're pretty good in that position," Paterno said Wednesday during a 15-minute chat with reporters between practices. That statement was notable given that Paterno said he wasn't certain about some other spots in his lineup, like the offensive line and the secondary. The hard-nosed Hunt tops the preseason depth chart. "Scott is a little bit behind Tony right now because he had the ankle injury" suffered this preseason, Paterno said. Paterno said that Kinlaw, too, had been banged up, but the coach didn't offer more detail. All three backs practiced. It was Scott's performance in Penn State's 26-23 triple-overtime Orange Bowl victory against Florida State that opened talk of competition in the backfield. Hunt suffered an ankle injury on the third play and did not return. Scott came off the bench and scored two touchdowns, rushing for 110 yards on 26 carries. "I still couldn't believe I was in the game and that this was actually happening," Scott said at Penn State media day earlier this month. "I was overwhelmed the whole time." Hunt is all-purpose back The general consensus is Hunt is the better all-purpose back. Paterno said Hunt was a good receiver and blocker. Former Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson, now with the San Francisco 49ers, often said Hunt was the catalyst to Penn State's stellar offense in 2005. Despite the praise, Hunt said he doesn't waste time setting personal goals. Last season, he rushed for 1,047 yards on 174 carries, good for 5 yards per carry. "If you say you want 1,000 yards, why not 1,200?" he said. "If you say 1,200, why not 1,400? So just play and practice hard and whatever happens, that's what is supposed to happen." He also said he has recovered completely from the injury. "My ankle has been fine for a while now, so it's not an issue," he said. "I practiced [on it] all spring, so it's not much different than a game." Paterno has voiced concern about Hunt's grades, though the issue isn't serious enough to keep Hunt out of the team's plans. Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.