Having three talented players at one position is a mixed blessing.

On one hand, you have experience and a solid insurance policy. On the other, you're faced with the undesirable task of deciding who plays at what time.

Penn State football coach Joe Paterno will have to sort out that very problem this season, as the Nittany Lions return seniors Eric McCoo and Omar Easy and junior Larry Johnson at tailback. Johnson and Easy were both impressive in Saturday's Blue-White game in McCoo's absence.

Johnson led the White team with 56 yards on 13 carries, while Easy had six rushes for 61 yards for Blue, including a 52-yard scamper in the first quarter.

"Both of them had good springs," Paterno said of Johnson and Easy before the game. "They run hard. They've done some things very well. Overall the running back situation is very good."

McCoo has only practiced with the team three times this spring, and did not see action Saturday because of academic reasons, said Paterno. Penn State's leading rusher for each of the past three seasons, McCoo may redshirt this season so that he can focus on his studies.

"It depends on how he does academically," said the coach.

Johnson, who was second on the team behind McCoo last season with 358 yards rushing, displayed both speed and power Saturday, dragging would-be tacklers along with him. He said afterward that he would like to tote the football on a more regular basis this year.

"All running backs want the ball as much as they can get it," Johnson said. "I've been conditioned to be impatient and always want the ball. If I get more and more carries, I'll get in a rhythm and I'll be set with that."

Easy also revealed a hunger to start. A fifth-year senior who has been used sparingly throughout his career, Easy possesses good size and sprinter's speed.

"This tailback situation is something else. You never know what is going to happen," Easy said. "I'm hoping if there's one guy that it will be me. And I hope if there is a rotation that I will be part of the rotation."

Good running backs are nothing without strong blocking, but the offensive lines came to play Saturday. White's line, which was very likely the starting five Penn State will utilize in the fall, quieted some of their critics and sprung the Lion backs for a number of long runs.

"They did an outstanding job," Johnson said. "We knew the offensive line was going to be an important role on this football team. I think these guys stepped it up today."

Offensive tackle Gus Felder returned the credit, citing the numerous occasions where the Penn State backs found yards when it appeared that there were no yards to find.

"All our backs like to make something happen," Felder said. "If there is no hole, they are willing to make a hole. The offensive line just has to find a way to get them through there."

Which of those running backs will be heading through the holes the most frequently this season is yet to be determined.