It's been a long time of waiting for the Penn State football team.

The Nittany Lions haven't appeared in a bowl game this century, with their last post-season gig coming in the Alamo Bowl Dec. 28, 1999. Those two seasons look brief compared to the team's drought in Ohio State's Horseshoe, a place the Lions haven't won since joining the Big Ten in 1993.

This Saturday, the Lions will be presented with the opportunity to snap both streaks with a win against the No. 4 Buckeyes. A victory would ensure Penn State of a .500 record, which is necessary to be bowl eligible.

Nevertheless, Penn State football coach Joe Paterno isn't worried that his team will look ahead to post-season play, much less let up if a post-season berth is locked up.

"If you start thinking about whether you are going to a bowl game or not when you go out to Columbus to play the fourth-rated team in the country in one of the great stadiums of the world, that is not even very hard to focus on this week," Paterno said. "We are thinking about going out there and fighting for our lives against one of the really good football teams in the country."

Missing in action

Wide receiver Bryant Johnson has spent the season making a name for himself nationally by burning defenders, but this week, it's his quarterback who thinks Johnson got burned.

The senior is averaging 18.5 yards per catch and appeared on the watch list for the Biletnikoff award, which goes to the country's top receiver every year, but was not among the finalists. Fellow Big Ten receivers Brandon Lloyd of Illinois, Charles Rogers of Michigan State and John Standeford of Purdue were all among the finalists.

Mills was shocked when he found out about Johnson's exclusion yesterday.

"I feel bad for Bryant, he deserved it," Mills said. "I think it's going to pay off for him eventually. They'll see in April and next fall how good he is."

Mills added that he thinks opposing defenses have disrespected his go-to man all season, evident in the lack of double teams and focused coverage Johnson has received so far this season. Mills also said he thinks part of the reason Bryant Johnson has been left in man-to-man coverage is because of the impact Larry and Tony Johnson have received at running back and receiver, respectively.

"It has to go with Tony and Larry as well," Mills said. "Pick your poison, are you going to put an extra guy back there or are you going to try to stop [Larry Johnson]."

Not there yet

Cornerback Bryan Scott has spent his Penn State career dogged by his potential.

The senior who's almost as well known for his off-field talents such as singing and playing piano as he is for his work on the field, has frequently been described as a good player on the verge of being great. While Paterno still thinks Scott needs some work, he thinks he's improving.

"Where I have tried to challenge him all the time is, we are one step here, one step there and maybe one step someplace else away from being better than just good," Paterno said. "Bryan could, maybe, make a play here or there where he would take charge of the football game."

Out of the infirmary

After playing nicked up for a couple of weeks, it appears the Lions are getting healthy. Paterno said left guard E.Z. Smith, who missed some of Northwestern game with an injured shoulder, will be ready to go this week.

Mills said his shoulder, which has been bothering him is as good as it will get this season and Larry Johnson said the hamstring he injured at Wisconsin is healthy.

However, Paterno also said tight end Casey Williams won't be able to go this week and is questionable for next week against Illinois.