Traditionally Joe Paterno looks to his upperclassmen for his leadership, but it may just be the underclassmen leading by example this season.

Even the younger players who have only recently been awarded regular playing time have made the most of the action they have seen on the field. Because of that, more have been introduced onto the depth chart, while some of the elder Lions have been taken out.

As play on the field coupled with supporting statistics show, it has actually been Penn State's young talent that has been carrying the load when it comes to offensive and defensive production.

With six out of 11 starters on both offense and defense holding a rank of sophomore or freshman, the ones making the majority of plays have been underclassmen.

Is this the reason Paterno has been dipping into some of his younger talent the last two games?

First, consider the evidence on offense.

Three of five statistical categories on offense are led by a player with freshman eligibility status.

Freshman tailback Austin Scott currently ranks first in rushing, scoring and all-purpose yards.

In fact, Scott's 343 total rushing yards on the season is twice that of the No. 2 rusher on Penn State's roster -- redshirt sophomore Michael Robinson. All of this despite the fact that Scott was named starter at tailback only two weeks ago.

Passing and receiving yards are held by upperclassmen Zack Mills and Tony Johnson respectively, but a handful of players with either freshman or sophomore eligibility are in the mix.

Closing in on them and the other placeholders on the list is redshirt freshman Maurice Humphrey, who in his two games at wide receiver has amassed 56 yards receiving.

Humphrey's athletic ability as a defensive back had the coaching staff hard pressed to keep him off the field, thus the young talent's move to wide receiver. He has since aided an otherwise struggling veteran-led wideout corps with some big catches against Kent State and Minnesota.

"I think the coaches thought that I was able to play the position," Humphrey said. "I wasn't playing that much defense and I wanted to play. I would be on the sideline and not helping the team too much. I let [Penn State wide receivers coach] Carter know about it. So when it came up that they needed more help on offense they moved me over."

A thin margin of only 22 yards separates Humphrey from Gerald Smith, the No. 2 receiver. Tony Johnson, a senior, leads the team with 253.

On the other side of the ball, it's been all underclassmen.

The freshmen and sophomores dominate the statistical categories and have held their own in making plays.

"We're young, but people don't realize we're a young force," redshirt sophomore defensive end Matt Rice said. "Every game the force gets deeper, deeper and deeper."

Rice jumped junior John Bronson on the depth chart for the starting job at right defensive end before the Nebraska game.

But the young defensive force has not been as effective as the team needs it to be, surrendering 213 rushing yards per game.

Still, the underclassmen on defense are putting up some other numbers.

Aside from tackles, in which the top three leaders are seniors, a player with underclassman eligibility leads the team in interceptions, sacks, pass break-ups, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.

"It's going to come," sophomore defensive tackle Tamba Hali said. "I don't want to put words out there, but it's going to come. We strongly feel that we can win a national championship a year from now. It's always our goal, but we strongly believe with this squad we have, a year or two from now, we can go back-to-back national championships."

Redshirt sophomore defensive end Lavon Chisley, the Lions' most consistent player on defense this year, leads the team in sacks with four, fumble recoveries with one and is in a three-way tie for the lead in forced fumbles. Fellow redshirt sophomore Alan Zemaitis is also atop a pair of categories: interceptions and pass break-ups.

These considerations in mind, Paterno has been less timid about introducing his younger talent onto the playing field.

Two weeks ago, it was Humphrey against Kent State.

This past week against Minnesota, true freshman Paul Posluszny stepped in at the position of outside linebacker for his inaugural appearance in the Blue and White.