Football columnist Wade Malcolm is a pessimist. In his column in Monday's paper ("PSU will continue to underachieve" Mon. Oct. 18) Malcolm laments how Penn State won't finish well this year, will underachieve next year and do poorly in the years to come. How can he say that? How can he write that? The players read this stuff, too, and they can recognize it when they lack support. Have a little faith for pete's sake! We have young players making great contributions to the team. We had a great recruiting class last year and will probably do well again this year. And never, ever, ever doubt Coach Paterno! Ever! He knows what he is doing. The game hasn't past him by. He made be old, but when I'm that age I hope to maintain his sharpness and energy. The next two years will be good. We will do well. I know I said that about this year, but being on campus, seeing the games, knowing what the players can do has me excited. Excited about the rest of this year and the years to come.

The coach isn't the problem, the program isn't the problem, it is nay-sayers like Malcolm who beat everyone on the football team down.

And when you write about something negative use the frowning photo, not the grin. It makes your words hurt that much more.