The battle for the position was missing a couple competitors with the likely favorite, sophomore Ndu Egekeze, expected to be out until mid-November with a leg injury, and 6-foot-10 freshman Kevin Fellows, who is day to day after spraining his ankle at practice Monday.

Of the remaining forwards other than Smith, who was impressive with 20 points, McDougald seemed to be the most effective. He made all four of his first half field goals and all three of his free throws while pulling down seven rebounds. He finished the game five for seven in the field with eight boards and four blocks.

"I think I did alright," McDougald said. "I just went out and did what I had to do, did what I came to do."

Penn State men's basketball coach Jerry Dunn had been somewhat concerned with McDougald's play up to Tuesday's game, but he was happy with what the North Carolina native produced on the floor in the intrasquad scrimmage.

"Jason was the one guy of the four (freshmen) that I thought was struggling a little bit," Dunn said. "But as you can see he might have played the best out of anyone tonight. It just shows that it's just a matter of time if you have talent like Jason has and you just keep pushing what can happen."

"He's a prime example that freshman are going to have their nights, but he brings an awful lot to the table."

McDougald's solid play also garnered him the respect of the man he might see some time along side later in the season.

"This guy right here (McDougald) played a heck of a game," Smith said. "I thought he did some things very well."

While McDougald was solid, a number of the other forwards who will likely be battling for the last starting spot struggled. Freshman Jan Jagla was 3 for 9 from the field. Though he pulled down 11 rebounds, he had some clear problems handling the ball, and showed frustration when he wasn't getting calls underneath.

Junior Stephan Bekale also had a tough night, shooting 2 for 6 from the field with just four boards, while piling up four personal fouls in the first half. The fourth freshman, McKees Rocks native Daren Tielsch, was sound, however, with eight points and five rebounds.

Dunn has never allowed any speculation that any player, even Smith or probable starting point guard Brandon Watkins has secured a starting spot, and McDougald will still have to do a lot more fighting if he plans on taking the spot from injured Egekeze. However, he proved Tuesday that he will not spend his season on the bench without a battle.