Minutes before taking the field against Kent State on Saturday, Charles Rush had to win a battle of a different kind.

In anticipation of his first start in more than three years, the Nittany Lions' left guard had to overcome his nerves to prepare for the Golden Flashes.

While his first start for the Penn State football team didn't immediately conjure images of All-America Penn State guard Jeff Hartings, Rush acquitted himself well in the Lions' 32-10 win over the visiting Golden Flashes. With a few snaps under his enormous belt, Rush said he was able to settle down and concentrate on the 11 defenders rather than any wobbly knees.

"I always get nervous before games, but this game was kind of extra nervous," Rush said. "After the first couple plays I felt comfortable."

He certainly carried his 298-pound frame as though his muscles remembered the games repetitions, despite learning of his starting position just two days before the game. Blocking for Penn State tailback Austin Scott on his 4-yard touchdown run, Rush managed to deliver a glancing blow around the left corner to a defender that had a step or two on him and seal the hole. Following a block by Sean McHugh that cleared the outside running lane, Scott was able to reach the end zone almost untouched.

All three of Scott's touchdown runs came over the left end, the side of the line ably manned by Rush and tackle Levi Brown. McHugh added a touchdown carry up the middle.

The Lions' 282 rushing yards against the Golden Flashes were more than their total from the two previous games.

Penn State also managed to keep Kent State from sacking quarterback Zack Mills.

While the statistics say the Lions played well, and the offensive line looked dominating at points in the second half, Rush said that the unit wasn't without mistakes. Center David Costlow agreed, but said Rush played well for his first game.

"To his credit, he hasn't played a lot of football and I think he contributed really well [Saturday]," Costlow said. "Some other guy, coming in there, your first start, the guy's a little wide-eyed, but Charles hung in there and he made some plays late in the game."

Rush had a similar analysis of his play and said that the most difficult game situations were pass protection schemes and discerning the defense's blitz packages before the snap.

However, it is Penn State football coach Joe Paterno whose assessment matters the most. Paterno said he was pleased with the progress of the entire line, but was happiest that he had little reason to specifically notice Rush on Saturday.

"The only time I see the offensive line is when they miss some things," Paterno said. "When someone makes a tackle, I want to know who was supposed to block him. I think Charles probably played pretty well. I thought we did all right."

If the trend is to continue, however, Rush says he'll have to continue to show his skills in practice. Penn State guard Scott Davis, who had held the starting spot for the first three games of the season as Rush struggled with an injury, is breathing down the sophomore's neck and is ready to take the job should Rush falter.

For Rush, this practice week will be another battle for the starting spot, one he says will continue for the remainder of the season. Those nerves will be there, too, but it shouldn't be as difficult a fight next time.