A number of Penn State football players were missing in action Saturday at the Blue-White game because of injury, but some were out of the annual football scrimmage because of poor performance in the classroom.

The most notables were rushing leader Eric McCoo and senior wide receiver Eddie Drummond, both who have not done particularly well academically this semester.

Coach Joe Paterno hasn't let Drummond practice all spring and McCoo has only suited up three times. Paterno said he told his two offensive weapons to put football on the back burner for now and only concern themselves with getting it done in the last two weeks of classes.

"They got careless, we've given them every opportunity," Paterno said. "They have to have a certain amount of responsibility."

Paterno even hinted at possibly redshirting McCoo so he can return for a fifth year at Penn State. If the football program chooses to go that route, McCoo could concentrate exclusively on his academics and not play football next season. Although nothing has been decided, if McCoo does not boost his grades in the next two weeks, Paterno might not have a choice.

But Drummond and McCoo might not be the only other academic casualties on the team. Senior linebacker Ron Graham hasn't been doing his part either, and might face reprecussions because of it. Paterno said at his spring news conference that he didn't want to discuss drastic changes in positions until things were definite, but with players not doing well academically, the team might face some changes come the Miami game Sept. 1.

"We are probably going to horse around with some kids trying some different things," Paterno said. "In all fairness to the kids involved, I think it's better off not to talk about it until they are permanent."

Since this is the time of year when players bond and make themselves a team instead of a bunch of individuals, players such as McCoo, Drummond, Graham are missing out on a crucial period.

After Saturday's Blue-White game, the Nittany Lions were talking about coming together and working out all the kinks for the upcoming season. With players on the sidelines because they haven't performed well in the classroom, they have not been involved as much with the program this spring. Not only does that hurt them as players, but it also has an overall negative effect on the team.

"During the offseason we practiced a lot together, like little drills that quarterbacks and receivers do, and we built that chemistry," junior wide receiver Bryant Johnson said.

"We have more unity. We're coaching each other. We've looked at mistakes we've made and are trying to help each other get better."

Paterno said that there might be other players that have slipped through the cracks academically, but he isn't positive. With the number of players on the squad and the limited amount of time, he said the coaching staff does its best to keep tabs on their players in the classroom, but sometimes a player might slip through.

"The ball is in their court," Paterno said of the players who were restricted from playing Saturday. "They are all capable."