After some problems earlier this season, Penn State is still in the midst of finding an identity at running back. And the fallout of that is beginning to seep into Austin Scott's private life.
Scott, a fifth-year senior splitting time at running back, has struggled to hold onto the football the past two games, fumbling three times. He's received a negative backlash from some fans. In fact, he said he has recently received two hate e-mails that question his return for a fifth year and suggest he quit the team because of his recent fumbles.
"It's tough because when you do good, everyone's there cheering on your side," Scott said in a phone interview. "When you mess up, you don't have good luck. It flips for the worse. It's like, 'Man, I didn't do nothing wrong. I'm here playing football. I made a couple of mistakes. I didn't kill anybody.' Whatever happens on the field, happens on the field. It shouldn't go into the rest of my life."
Scott said he hasn't spoken with Joe Paterno about the fumbles yet. He's also still unsure if he or Rodney Kinlaw will start on Saturday against Illinois.
So far, it's uncertain just how the situation has affected the team as the Big Ten schedule starts rolling. But at least for this week, both backs have received normal reps in practice, other players said yesterday.
"Scott's been trying," Paterno said this week. "He's been very conscientious about wanting to overcome the fact that's he's put the ball on the ground a couple of times. I hate to give up on him. He's been a good kid; he's worked hard. He's been patient. I think he deserves every chance we can give him to prove that he belongs in there."
Scott's third quarter fumble against Michigan halted an eight-play drive that reached the Wolverine 11-yard line. Against Buffalo, Scott fumbled on subsequent series in the first quarter.
In both games he was quickly relegated to the bench. He didn't return to the game after fumbling at Michigan and sat out until the third quarter against Buffalo.
"I've never been a fumbler," Scott said. "It's the first time ever in my life that I've had so many consecutive fumbles in these games. It's hard for me because you're looking for answers. When it comes down to it, I just have to focus more on holding on to the rock, adding that part into the equation. I'll be fine."
And though Scott did say he's received some encouraging mail, he became yet another Penn State player to get a negative reception from fans. Quarterback Anthony Morelli said last season he received e-mails suggesting he commit suicide. In the mid-1970s, Penn State quarterback Chuck Fusina famously got death threats from Pitt fans during the week preceding the game.
Scott's revelation yesterday comes at the height of national consciousness for the criticism of college athletes. This weekend, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy blew up on a newspaper columnist for her criticism of one of his players, saying college athletes don't deserve to be attacked.
Criticism of college athletes -- unpaid but still high profile -- has become a tricky matter lately.
"When stuff goes bad in the game, you're getting hate e-mails, and it's in the paper," Scott said. "It's like, 'Then who has to deal with that?' The player. And people don't understand that there's good sides of it and there's bad sides of it. The bad side is even worse. You read in the paper and they see on TV, but they don't deal with how the play is emotionally taking it, you know what I mean? It's easy when you're doing good."
Scott entered Penn State five years ago as one of the nation's most sought-after recruits. He played early, gaining the most yards of his Penn State career during his freshman season (436).
This year, however, is the first time Scott is the featured back. He has rushed for 262 yards and five touchdowns on 57 carries this season. Kinlaw leads Penn State in rushing yards with 313 yards.
The competition for the lead role has been a big question for the Lions all season. That can strain aspects of life, Scott said.
"It's been difficult when they [the media] try and tear us apart," Scott said.
"Me and Rodney are friends. When they ask questions trying to get controversy between us it's hard because you don't want to sound a certain way toward the other person."
Collectively, Kinlaw and Scott have led a Penn State rushing game that ranks 44th nationally and ninth in the Big Ten. That's been largely without Scott the past two games.
This weekend will be a chance for Scott to get in step and, perhaps, silence some critics.
"If I go the rest of the season my normal me, which isn't a fumbler, and I keep on being productive, the first four games are going to be gone," he said.
