The receiving corps has been changing almost as quickly as the receivers are dropping passes.

In the past two weeks, Gerald Smith, Donnie Johnson and Maurice Humphrey have all moved to wide receiver.

Smith and Humphrey both shifted to offense from the defensive backfield and Johnson is a converted running back. Ryan Scott saw his first significant action with the Nittany Lions against Kent State. He didn't catch a pass.

With all the switching of positions that have taken place, both Kinta Palmer and Ernie Terrell played less against Kent State than they had in the previous three games.

Despite the drops, Michael Robinson is not worried about the wideouts.

"They'll pick it up even more for Big Ten play," Robinson said. "We're not worried."

Johnson was a part of the crowded backfield, before moving prior to the Nebraska game. Against Boston College, he lined up for one play at receiver and took the ball on a reverse for eight yards.

Penn State football coach Joe Paterno said following the season-opener against Temple that Johnson might be switched. In the three games when he was listed as a running back, he didn't have a carry.

The switch hasn't been easy for Johnson as he has always been a running back and has to learn a whole new position at a Div. I college.

"It's taking me a while right now, but I'm learning my steps," Johnson said. "It's completely different than running back in that there are so many details that you have to pick up on. I think in about two weeks I'll be at where I need to be at."

Against Kent State, Johnson played a handful of plays, including a reverse that went for 21 yards. Johnson has yet to catch a pass, but he knows when he gets the opportunity to do so that he'll make the plays.

"I know I'm not going to drop any balls," Donnie Johnson said. "I don't want to sound cocky, but I'm not going to drop too many if I get out there."

McHugh said the switch that Johnson is making is easier than the one that Humphrey made from defense. He said that moving to offense from defense is almost like playing two different games.

"He's used to hearing the plays," McHugh said. "You have a pretty good idea what everyone is doing. It's a little easier because you're used to the terminology and have a basic concept of what is supposed to happen."

Smith has the advantage over Humphrey with the switch as he played wide receiver all last season, finishing as the team's fourth leading receiver with 11 catches and a touchdown.

After being a sound receiver in his return against the Cornhuskers, Smith dropped a couple passes, including one in the end zone. On Saturday, he caught a pass for nine yards.

Throughout the second half Penn State lined up in a three wide receiver set with Humphrey, Johnson and Scott. Neither Terrell nor Palmer were including in these packages. The duo that started opposite of Tony Johnson prior to Kent State, didn't have a catch against the Golden Flashes.

The Lions are working to find a solid rotation and when Donnie Johnson is finally a consistent part of that rotation, he'll be satisfied.

"I don't think I'm happy [right now]," Johnson said. "I'll be happy when I'm out on the field. I'm just trying to learn what I have to learn and be out there as soon as I can."