The biggest complaint in Penn State's first four games was that the wide receivers weren't catching any balls. Bryant Johnson, Eddie Drummond, Tony Johnson and the rest of the receivers were letting passes drop through their hands.

The Nittany Lions receivers were consistently inconsistent.

But that changed in the team's first win at Northwestern and continued for a second time last Saturday against Ohio State.

"We just can't be average, youšve got to be great," wide receiver Tony Johnson said. "What separates us is making those tough catches. We just took a new approach to the game these past two weeks."

Critics were blaming the quarterback, be it junior Matt Senneca or freshman Zack Mills, but coach Joe Paterno put the blame on the receivers. Against the Wildcats, Bryant Johnson caught eight passes for 129 yards, tight end John Gilmore had five catches and even tailback Eric McCoo caught five balls, including the game-winning touchdown pass from Mills.

Last weekend against Ohio State, it was Tony Johnson's big day as the sophomore corralled five balls and Bryant Johnson and McCoo combined for six.

As the receiving game improves, so do the Lions. With a plethora of receivers and an ever-evolving passing game, improvements can still be made.

"We didn't catch everything versus Ohio State, but we are getting better," Paterno said. "I have felt from the beginning that we would be all right in that area and we are getting better."

The Lions have been improving, and confidence is the major factor. Although senior Eddie Drummond is still struggling as a receiver, everyone else has excelled in the last two games.

Bryant Johnson has shed the stereotype of having slick hands and McCoo has been used more out of the backfield as a receiver. McCoo, who led Penn State the last three seasons rushing, has emerged as a threat catching the ball.

The Red Bank, N.J., native leads the Lions with three receiving touchdowns.

"It's just a matter of playing with confidence," McCoo said after the Ohio State game. "It's incredible what can happen to a team when they get a big touchdown like we did at the end of the game last week."

Even though Penn State has improved tremendously, putting confidence back in the receiving game, there is still a lot to be done. Drummond, who was moved to the backfield against Northwestern, continues to struggle at receiver. Drummond only has six catches on the season and still hasn't scored a touchdown in six games.

"Eddie just has to have some success," Paterno said. "Eddie is too good of a football player not to get back to where he can have some fun playing."

Tony Johnson said Drummond will be fine. A couple drops shouldn't question his talent.

"I'm not worried about Eddie," he said. "He's dropped two balls, so what?"