The best way to erase the sting of failure is to look forward to the next opportunity to succeed.

For that reason, when the final seconds ran off the clock at the Capital One Bowl, the disheartened Penn State football team and its fans started looking toward Aug. 30, when the 2003 version of the Nittany Lions will take the field for the first time.

The thought of that date doesn't bring quite as strong a feeling of hope and optimism as the beginning of this season did. Over this past offseason, Lions fans pumped themselves up over a team that returned the greater part of a 2001 squad that won five of its last seven games after an 0-4 start. The return to prominence had begun, and with loads of talent and experience returning it was expected to continue.

Those same fans are looking toward the 2003 season with uneasiness. Leaving is a group of accomplished seniors that battled through the Lions' hardest times in Penn State football coach Joe Paterno's reign in Happy Valley and led their resurgence. Remaining is a talented group of young players that lacks experience in some important posi-tions.

The man who had the most statistically impressive season in Penn State history is leaving the biggest hole. Tailback Larry Johnson graduates after a 2,000-yard season with no clear heir to his position.

The player best suited to inherit the spot might be redshirt freshman multi-back Michael Robinson, who finished second on the team in rushing yards with 263. However, Robinson will be busy battling for the starting quarterback job with sophomore Zack Mills in the spring. Paterno still feels he has enough viable candidates to fill the position.

"We have five or six guys who have a chance to be good," he said. "They're not going to be Larry Johnsons. But you work around that."

Next in line is redshirt sophomore Mike Gasparato, Johnson's backup this season. He rushed for 158 yards on 32 carries, mostly in mop-up work. Gasparato's classmate Pete Gilmore also returns, but will need to drop weight to get out of Paterno's doghouse and into the race.

Freshman Tim Shaw, the Lions' third-string tailback, will also have a shot at the job, as will a number of freshmen who redshirted, the most heralded being Cincinnati native Donnie Johnson. Verbally committed incoming freshman Austin Scott, who rushed for over 3,800 yards and 53 touchdowns for PIAA Quad-A champion Parkland H.S., is a darkhorse candidate.

Flanker Bryant Johnson also leaves a big hole, but the Lions have a number of talented wideouts prepared to fill it. Split end Tony Johnson will likely become the go-to receiver. Redshirt sophomore Gerald Smith, the Lions' third receiver in three-wide sets, should see his role increase, as should backups Ernie Terrell and Kinta Palmer. Tight ends Casey Williams and Mike Lukac return, as do fullbacks Sean McHugh and Paul Jefferson.

The offensive line is another major issue with four starters gone. Junior Chris McKelvy and redshirt freshman E.Z. Smith both got significant time at left guard this season, so they should be able to fill the guard spots next year. However, Paterno hasn't been pleased with the play of the rest of the players who will return to fight for positions.

"We're going to need some kids to rise to the occasion," Paterno said. "We have some good young people with a lot of potential. I've got to get inside their heads and make them realize what they've got to do to be good.

"They were inconsistent, not tough all the time, made some mental mistakes, things like that, but we'll see what happens."

Redshirt junior Damone Jones will have a shot to start at left tackle to end his injury-plagued career. He will likely battle redshirt freshman Tommy McHugh for that position. Redshirt junior David Costlow and redshirt sophomore Nick Marmo are the early favorites for the center job. Redshirt freshmen Tyler Reed and John Wilson and redshirt sophomore Scott Davis will also be battling for playing time.

The defense is a little more solid. The Lions are at least three deep in returnees at all three linebacker positions. The secondary loses free safety Shawn Mayer and cornerback Bryan Scott, but with freshman Calvin Lowry and junior Yaacov Yisrael returning from injury and sophomore Chris Harrell back at Hero, one of those three should be able to move over to take Mayer's spot. Redshirt freshmen Alan Zemaitis, Gio Vendemia and Anwar Phillips will have a shot at Scott's job.

The defensive line is the biggest concern with three possible NFL draftees leaving in Michael Haynes, Jimmy Kennedy and Anthony Adams. Sophomore John Bronson, the lone returning starter, will have to become the group's leader.

"I think John Bronson's going to turn around, because he's going to have to," Haynes said. "He's an older guy, and everyone's going to look to him for leadership. I think he's going to rise to the occasion for the D-line."

Highly recruited defensive tackles Tamba Hali, a true freshman, and Charles Rush, a redshirt freshman, give the Lions a talented interior. Athletic redshirt freshman Lavon Chisley is the early favorite for the other defensive end spot. Redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Davis and redshirt freshman Matt Rice will be able to add depth at end.