CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Penn State preview

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Penn State Nittany Lions

Rebuilt squad looks to send JoePa over top

College Football: The New Century

'99, 10-3, 5-3 Big Ten

Coach

Joe Paterno (35th season, 317-83-3)

Key offensive players

Rashard Casey, QB, Sr.
Paterno vows to stick with the Alamo Bowl Offensive MVP despite pending legal troubles.

Eric McCoo, RB, Jr.
Can dart well enough to make people miss and is strong enough to run over some defenders, too. Averaged 5.1 yards per carry in '99.

Kareem McKenzie, OT, Sr.
The 6-7, 320-pound lineman earned first team All-Big Ten honors last season.

Key defensive players

Justin Kurpeikis, DE, Sr.
Intense competitor turned in nine sacks as starting right defensive end last season.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Mike Reid, DT, 1966, 68-69
"Defensive stalwart of Paterno's first great teams."

Brightest Moment: Winning national championships in 1982 and 1986.

Lowest Moment: President Richard Nixon socked it to the Nittany Lions by proclaiming Texas No. 1 while attending the Longhorns' 1969 game against Arkansas. The writers and coaches agreed despite PSU finishing 11-0.

James Boyd, SS, Sr.
Ranked third on the squad with 69 tackles.

Key newcomer

Deryck Toles, LB, Fr.
Redshirt freshman is expected to make a big contribution in the depleted linebacking unit.

Throwback player

Hard-working, intense Justin Kurpeikis cherishes a conversation and autograph he has from legendary tough-guy Chuck Bednarik.

21st century player

Penn State might have lost the ultimate new-age player in linebacker LaVar Arrington, but replacement Shamar Finney is known by his teammates for his flashy dress, including bright red suits and fedoras.

Fast Fact

The Nittany Lions have the nation's best record (421-131-7, .759) since 1950, when Joe Paterno joined the staff as assistant.

Outlook

No team lost more talent from last season, including top NFL draft pick Courtney Brown at defensive end and the entire linebacking unit of LaVar Arrington, Brandon Short and Mac Morrison. All together, the Nittany Lions must replace nine defensive starters. But there is plenty of talent if it develops. Outside linebacker Aaron Gatten had been impressive as Arrington's backup, totaling 15 tackles in the 1999 season opener. The offense must replace only four starters and might have to carry the Nittany Lions in the early going. Penn State opens with USC in the Kickoff Classic at East Rutherford, N.J. Paterno didn't want to play but got outvoted by his players. "We're going into it with the attitude that we're another football team that will have to struggle to win games," he said.

-- Mark Ambrogi