Paterno Not Sure His Lions Can Hack It

Penn State Coach Joe Paterno said he is having second thoughts about opening the season against USC in the Kickoff Classic in East Rutherford, N.J.

“If I had known how good Southern Cal was going to be, I probably would not play it,” Paterno said at a media conference Tuesday.

Paterno talked about losing key players to graduation and the NFL draft last spring. He talked about facing Carson Palmer and the Trojans’ speedy, experienced defense.

At USC’s training camp at UC Irvine, Coach Paul Hackett wasn’t buying any of it.

“If you look at Joe Paterno’s history, he’s going to say that about every opponent,” Hackett said. “He’ll even say that about Akron.”

Then he offered some mock humility of his own, citing USC’s 6-6 record last season and wondering why Penn State would be so concerned about a .500 team.

“Coach Paterno has had outstanding teams for 35 years,” Hackett said. “I don’t think this year will be any different.”

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If USC is hoping for an edge over Penn State, the Trojans might look to the schedule--the class schedule.

While USC’s fall semester does not begin until Monday--the day after the Kickoff Classic--Penn State students and players started back to school this week.

“It’s really tough,” Paterno said. “They’re running around, trying to find their classes.”

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With USC left guard Trevor Roberts suffering from a strained foot, it is looking more and more like Lenny Vandermade will start Sunday. If so, the redshirt freshman will play his first college game on national television at Giants Stadium.

A high school All-American at Mater Dei, the 6-foot-4, 270-pound Vandermade said he never imagined becoming a starter when training camp began 2 1/2 weeks ago.

“I’m a little excited,” he said. “And a little nervous.”

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Darryl Knight, a junior reserve linebacker, has left the team for personal reasons.

Knight played in 10 games last season, making 19 tackles and deflecting two passes. He shared the team lead with eight tackles in a season-ending victory over Louisiana Tech.

His brother, Ryan, led the Trojans in rushing in 1985 and ’86. Another brother, Sammy, was USC’s leading tackler a decade later and now plays for the New Orleans Saints.

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Cornerback Antuan Simmons, who will be redshirted this season while recovering from abdominal surgery, was named special captain and will be on the field for the coin flip at the Kickoff Classic. He will be joined by defensive captains Zeke Moreno and Ennis Davis and offensive captains Petros Papadakis and Eric Denmon. . . . Training camp ends today with an early afternoon practice at UC Irvine. The Trojans will have a short practice at USC on Thursday morning before departing for New Jersey. . . . A number of freshmen will make the trip: safety Matt Grootegoed, linebacker Kenechi Udeze, receiver Keary Colbert, tailback Chris Howard, offensive tackle Joe McGuire, quarterback Matt Cassel and tight ends Gregg Guenther Jr. and Alex Holmes.