Penn State Nittany Lions
2000 overall record: 5-7
Conference record: 4-4 (t-5th)
Returning starters
Offense: 5
Defense: 6
Kickers: 1
2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Eric McCoo* (692 yds)
Passing: Rashard Casey (2,001 yds)
Receiving: Tony Stewart (451 yds)
Tackles: James Boyd (109 yds)
Sacks: Jimmy Kennedy*, Michael Haynes* and Justin Kurpeikis (6 each)
Interceptions: Shamar Finney*, Bhawoh Jue and James Boyd (3 each)
What's new
The word "new" is not typically associated with Joe Paterno, but this season, he should become the new leader in wins by a Division I-A football coach. Paterno needs just two more victories to pass Paul "Bear" Bryant as the winningest coach in major college history. Paterno currently has 322 career wins in 35 seasons.
Battling it out
Though Eric McCoo has been the starter, he is being pushed for his job by Omar Easy and Larry Johnson. McCoo practiced sparingly in the spring as he concentrated on academics and did not play in spring game. Easy and Johnson both had excellent springs to make the race much closer. Regardless, all three should see plenty of game action as they did in 2000.
Eye catcher: OLB Tom Williams
Williams is a fifth-year senior and a transfer from Lafayette College. He played a little bit last year but does not yet have a tackle in a Division I-A game. In the spring, however, he was very active and moved to the top of the depth chart. He has proven to be a very instinctive and hard-nosed player.
Budding star: WR Bryant Johnson
After making only four catches as a sophomore last year, Johnson had a great spring. He made five catches for 103 yards in the spring game and was named the most improved offensive player during spring drills. He enters the fall listed as the No. 1 flanker.
Brad Edwards researches college football for ESPN and is a contributor to ESPN.com throughout the year.
