When Penn State takes the practice field this afternoon, the Nittany Lions will practice for about 90 minutes in just helmets and shoulder pads.

Compared to a USC practice, which usually runs at least two hours, the Lions don't practice a lot. But coach Joe Paterno said what his practices lack in length, they make up for in energy.

"We don't practice much, we practice less than probably anybody in the country," Paterno said during his press conference yesterday. "We don't do a lot. But what we do, it's intense. There is some banging around."

The reason for the short practices is simple, Paterno said. He wants to keep his players fresh and try to avoid injuries.

He said most injuries occur when players are tired. As their legs weaken, their technique breaks down and they get sloppy. The result is players not as prepared to take a hit as they would be at full strength.

But at the same time, Paterno's running a football program and his job is to help his players improve each day.

He said finding the right balance between practicing and not draining the players' energy is one of his main tasks. And now that there are depth issues on the defensive line, finding the right combination is even more imperative.

The Lions are down to 10 scholarship

defensive linemen, but Paterno said they still need to practice all-out and go against the Lions' first-string offensive line. Just because a few players are out doesn't mean he can try to protect the remaining players during practice.

In fact, he said, with so many inexperienced guys in line to see more playing time, they actually need more full-speed reps during practice.

"It's more important that you give them more game-like situations now than if they were experienced guys on it. You want to make them better, you can't put some people in there that don't know what they're doing against them.

"They need to get a feel of what kind of athlete they're going to play against on Saturday."

But don't think for a second that Paterno's going to adjust his practice schedule to speed up the learning process. He doesn't want to lose the season just to get some players experience.

So the Lions are going to go for just an hour and a half today and an hour and a half tomorrow, just like they did last week and just like they'll do again next week.

"They've got to have good legs on Saturday," Paterno said. "You don't want to leave the game on the practice field, simple as that."

After winning its opening pair of games by an average of 43.5 points, Paterno said he's concerned about his team thinking future opponents will just lie down at the sight of the Lions' gaudy statistics.

"I'm always worried, regardless of who is down the stretch, because if you don't get better, you get worse," Paterno said. "You get careless, sloppy, and the first thing you know, you're not playing your game."

But right tackle Dennis Landolt said Paterno and his coaching staff are good at motivating their players.

Landolt said the coaches make sure practices are intense and players are focused in the film room.

"You have to make sure you're ready, anticipate everything," Landolt said. "You approach everything the same way, and not take anything lightly or worry to much about anything."

Being able to be as prepared for an early September game against Syracuse as a team would be for a matchup with Ohio State is the sign of a good team, Paterno said.

Great teams, he said, are made when they make a fourth quarter comeback or win in a hostile environment, something this team has not had to do yet.

Until then, Paterno said, he won't know how good his team really is.

"We're not home free," Paterno said. "Don't get too excited yet. We've got a long, long way to be a good football team."