Who let the dog out?

Joe Paterno did. But he didn't unleash this much-beleaguered hound because he felt bad or because he owed him something. He did it because this dog had earned the right to be let loose.

Senior outside linebacker Ron Graham has been released from Paterno's proverbial doghouse because of his work and the Pittsburgh native has immediately made his presence felt.

After playing sparingly and mostly in spot situations over the course of the Nittany Lions' first five games, Graham was inserted as the starting strong side linebacker last Saturday against Ohio State.

And he didn't fail his coach. Graham made four tackles and provided solid run support against the Buckeyes' punishing running attack.

But according to Paterno, Graham's best play could be yet to come.

"Ron is getting better," Paterno said. "I don't think Ron is quite the dominant player he can be yet. Ron has an awful lot of ability and, obviously, has had his missteps and maybe just needs to play."

Graham came to Happy Valley in 1997 from Penn Hills High School, where he led his team to a 15-0 record and a PIAA Class AAAA state title in 1995. He was also named a high school All-American by several national publications. He and classmate, LaVar Arrington, were supposed to become one of the most dominant outside linebacker tandems to ever play college football.

But while Arrington lived up to his end of the bargain, Graham hit a few potholes on the path to stardom.

"It's just been a long road," Graham said after last Saturday's game. "I've put in a lot of hard work and I'm coming back from academic trouble, weight trouble, position changes and things like that. Now it just feels a lot better because all of the hard work has paid off and I'm getting my opportunity."

Paterno is thrilled to see that Graham finally has the willpower to keep his weight under control.

"He is finally less than 260 pounds," Paterno said. "I would love to have him under 250 pounds if I could get him down that far but he is getting better."

Graham's teammates are equally proud of him. Junior defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy has been impressed with Graham's willingness to hang around the practice field even after the day's work is over.

"Ron's been paying his dues," Kennedy said. "Ron's been out there running extra conditioning sprints and some other extra things on his own to increase his playing time."

Kennedy said one reason Graham may have turned his game around on the field is because of some responsibilities he has off of it.

Graham has a young daughter and like a good father should, he's taking the initiative of making sure that he can provide the best for her. The improvement Graham has shown in the classroom will certainly help. But the healthy salary an NFL contract guarantees would surely promise a solid financial background for a family.

"I know if I had a child to take care of I'd be on the grind," Kennedy said. "I'd be out there conditioning and doing everything. I'd probably be about 290 (pounds) right now. I wouldn't even be 330. I'd do everything in my power to help me have a successful future and maybe to get to the NFL. Maybe that's the way he's thinking now."

And Graham knows there's only one way to keep this newfound success heading in the right direction.

"Nothing can replace hard work," Graham said. "You just have to go out there and keep plugging away, know you're assignments and just execute."