Penn State RB Evan Royster expects better ’09 season

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Evan Royster led the Big Ten’s best rushing attack last season and the rest of the conference can expect more of the same this season.

“For the most part I think it’ll be pretty much the same,” the junior tailback said last week. “Why go away from what was working last year?”

An excellent question, and good reason for the Nittany Lions to continue feeding Royster the ball in 2009.

Not that they will have much choice. Penn State lost several key starters from the team that won the Big Ten last fall, including three offensive linemen and all three starting wide receivers.

So the burden will fall on quarterback Daryll Clark (Ursuline) and Royster (6.5 yards per carry) to build on the breakout season for Penn State’s “Spread HD” offense.

“I’m basically just trying to make myself better,” said Royster, whose gliding running style earns him yards in traffic and the open field. “Constantly working on speed and agility, trying to make myself an all-around back, trying to make sure I’m ready for the next level when the time comes.”

Mostly, Royster is just eager to get back to the field come game time.

After rushing for 1,202 yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season, Royster was on the sidelines for most of the Nittany Lions’ 38-24 loss to Southern California in the Rose Bowl after spraining his left knee in the first quarter.

“Not being able to play was really tough,” he said. “There were a couple moments when I just broke into tears. I wanted to go on the field and help my team out, and I couldn’t go.”

He resumed workouts shortly after the team returned from spring break in early March. He said the knee hasn’t been bothering him much, though he is looking forward to a reprieve from the artificial turf in Penn State’s indoor practice facility as the weather improves.

His defensive teammates don’t enjoy chasing him on any surface.

“He’s so smooth, you think you can just go tackle him and then he lowers his shoulder and runs you over,” safety Drew Astorino said. “Then you’re nervous he’s going to run you over and he jukes you.”

Getting through the line of scrimmage might be more difficult this fall, though.

Veteran starting linemen A.Q. Shipley, Gerald Cadogan and Rich Ohrnberger have used up their eligibility and Royster knows it will take some time to get used to running behind the new unit.

“You’ve got to be running like you would behind anybody,” Royster said.

“It’s not terribly different, but it’s definitely something you’ve got to make adjustments for.”

As spring practice goes on, Royster has ceded more first-team reps to sophomore Brandon Beachum (Cardinal Mooney) to allow his younger teammate to develop.

Backups Stephfon Green (right ankle) and Brent Carter (right knee) have been limited this spring as they recover from injuries, though both are expected back this fall. That should provide Penn State more quality depth behind Royster and plenty of backfield options.

Spring practice concludes Saturday with the annual Blue-White scrimmage at Beaver Stadium.