For the last few weeks, Paul Posluszny has deflected talk about records and history books, veering conversation to team matters instead.

But this week, the subject couldn't be avoided any longer.

The senior linebacker is nine tackles away from breaking Greg Buttle's all-time school record of 343, a mark that has stood for more than three decades.

Posluszny has met questions about the record with a polite smile this season, adding that it's special -- but winning the upcoming game is more important. Still, maybe that's because he never spent much time thinking he'd make it this far.

"I never really thought about the tackle record," Posluszny said. "Coming in, I thought I was gonna redshirt, play on special teams a couple years and then maybe start at linebacker my senior year. Obviously, things change. If I get that, it's going to be a huge honor."

Buttle, who was named to the New York Jets all-time team, said if one player has to break his record, he's glad it's Posluszny.

After all, Buttle said he wasn't even aware he held the record until five years ago. This season, he's gotten updates on the record through his daughter, a current Penn State student.

"When I left Penn State, somebody said to me, 'By the way, you broke every tackle record at Penn State," Buttle said. "It didn't stand out as that's what it was. Nowadays, with the way they keep track of records, it's been a bigger deal since."

Buttle said Posluszny possesses the "three Bs" that make him a great linebacker: Brains, balance and brawn. Plus, he believes the Aliquippa product has become "great kid."

Penn State friend and teammate Anthony Morelli also said he's kept a keen eye on the numbers as the two have grown close.

"We're good friends, and we hang out. I definitely follow it," the quarterback said. "He's a great linebacker; he's all over the field; he makes plays -- that's all there is to it."

At 335 tackles, it's nearly inevitable that Posluszny will break the record, possibly tomorrow at Wisconsin. Buttle still holds the single-season tackle record (164) and single-game record (24), but it appears that Posluszny will break up the monopoly soon.

As for Buttle, he didn't seem to mind all that much.

"I'm proud of the way the kid handles himself, and I don't think anyone else I can think of would be better to break a record, certainly my record, as I look back and say, 'I'm happy that he did it. It's been 30 years, and I'm glad he did it because he's a hard-worker, and he's a good kid,' " Buttle said. "That's why I like him so much."