There are no fond memories of an afternoon Joe Paterno spent in South Bend, Ind., one year ago.
"We stunk out the place," Paterno recalled from the Nittany Lions' 41-17 loss to Notre Dame in the second game of the 2006 season. "Notre Dame was a better team that day than we were."
Paterno answered questions about that day during his weekly press conference yesterday afternoon. Meanwhile, 480 miles away, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis gave reporters a detailed, piece-by-piece account of this year's Nittany Lions: everything from running back Matt Hahn's weight -- "he's not 250, he's more like 235" -- to comparing the style of running back Austin Scott to last year's starter, Tony Hunt.
While the two coaches answered questions, a picture began to emerge of two teams that have progressed in different ways during the past year -- differences that will continue to unfold Saturday night in Beaver Stadium.
The Lions that traveled to Notre Dame last year were "still shaky about a lot of things," Paterno said, admitting that he may have been out-coached in that game. But he pointed out that Anthony Morelli is a much better quarterback this year than he was in last year's game against the Irish, during which he completed 21-of-33 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown.
"That was a tough job for him last year," Paterno said.
It was an explosion on Notre Dame's offense that overshadowed Morelli's efforts that day and ultimately drove the Irish to a 10-3 finish in 2006 and a berth in the Sugar Bowl.
But the men who drove the Irish down the field are no longer on their roster. Quarterback Brady Quinn, who threw for 3,426 yards; running back Darius Walker, who rushed for 1,267 yards; and wide receiver Jeff Samardzija, with 1,017 yards receiving in 2006, are all gone.
Yesterday, Paterno downplayed the Irish's season-opening loss, a 33-3 rout at the hands of Georgia Tech in which the Irish cycled through three quarterbacks.
"Notre Dame had absolutely no breaks," Paterno said. "The only thing that bothers me right now, going into this football game, is people don't realize how good Notre Dame is. That score is not anywhere indicative of what happened."
When the Irish take to the practice field this week, the focus won't be on last year's game, Weis said. It won't even be on the Lions. Weis said this week is about the Irish focusing on themselves, what they need to do internally.
"You obviously have a good team you're going against who is coming off a 59-0 win that is playing at home," Weis said. "We know how good they are on offense and defense. ... But realistically, the bigger issue internally is us."
Tight end update
Paterno doubts tight end Andrew Quarless will play against Notre Dame. Quarless was held out of last week's game against Florida International after receiving an underage drinking citation in mid-August.
Paterno said Quarless would have to work his way into the tight end rotation once he returned.
"I'm not gonna say, 'OK, give me a hug,' " Paterno said of Quarless.
Sophomore Mickey Shuler started Saturday in Quarless' absence and junior Jordan Lyons also saw time on the field.
Shuler finished the game with four catches for a total of 54 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter.
