Penn State Veterans Recall ’96

Penn State fullback Mike Cerimele was only a freshman and did not get into the game when the Nittany Lions played USC in the 1996 Kickoff Classic. But he has vivid memories of that day.

Like many others, Cerimele recalls former Penn State tailback Curtis Enis rushing for 241 yards and three touchdowns while leading his team to a 24-7 victory.

“He just went out there and ran over people,” Cerimele said. “They couldn’t handle him.”

Outside linebacker Eric Sturdifen was also a freshman and he did play a few downs in the fourth quarter. But his recollections are a little hazier.

“It was hot,” he said. “I wasn’t really paying attention to the game because I didn’t think I would play.”

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The Trojans have settled on a defensive secondary for their season opener.

As expected, Kris Richard will play right cornerback and Troy Polamalu will be the strong safety. At left cornerback, Darrell Rideaux beat out Chris Cash in one of the tightest competitions of summer camp. Ifeanyi Ohalete won the job at free safety if only because he is a senior.

“He’s got the experience for a game like this in New York,” Coach Paul Hackett said. “I think this is a perfect situation for him.”

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In another expected move, David Newbury was named starting kicker. The junior clearly outperformed his competition, senior David Bell and freshman John Wall, in recent weeks.

Still, Hackett waited until the final day of camp to make the decision official. Newbury had just made two 37-yard field goals in practice when Hackett walked up and gave him the news.