Of all the questions Penn State faced entering this season, none surrounded the units receiving most of the blame for the Nittany Lions' two losses: special teams.
In the fourth quarter of a 21-10 loss to Iowa on Sept. 26, Penn State had a punt blocked by Adrian Clayborn, who scooped the ball up and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown.
In last week's 24-7 loss to Ohio State, the Lions gave up punt returns of 41 and 45 yards, respectively, to Ray Small. Each ensuing drive ended with Buckeye touchdowns, and again Joe Paterno was left to answer questions about his philosophy on special teams.
That's because Penn State does not list a special teams coach on its official Web site, as it instead splits different special teams duties among its assistant coaches.
Of the 55 BCS-conference schools, 14 others do not list anyone in charge of special teams, although there are shades of gray among the 40 schools that do list coaches with special teams duties.
Michigan lists a special teams coach on its Web site under its quality control staff. A quality control coach is essentially an information-gatherer for the head and assistant coaches.
Only eight of the 40 schools list just one coach whose sole duty is special teams. The other 32 schools list at least one assistant coach who has another title in addition to his special teams duties.
"It's working. We've just got to do a little better job, get some better people in there," Paterno said this week. "That's my problem, all right? I've got to make sure we get guys in there that can get the job done.
"It's not the scheme. It's not the coaching. It's a question of whether I'm giving them enough time or I've emphasized it enough and the whole bit."
Paterno hinted that changes may be coming against Indiana Saturday and said he may not have played the best people on special teams earlier in the season because he did not want to burn a year of eligibility for a true freshman.
Complicating the situation was the number of injuries Penn State's linebackers suffered this season.
Michael Mauti tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee in fall practices, Navorro Bowman missed two games with a groin injury and Sean Lee missed three games with a sprained left knee.
Kenny Jackson, a former Penn State and NFL player, said linebackers are more valuable to special teams units because of their athleticism.
"If you look at an NFL roster, there are so many more linebackers because they can play special teams," Jackson said. "The position is that vital. That's why Penn State is having problems, because there have been too many injuries and Joe is caught in a dilemma."
The dilemma is now whether or not to overwork players returning from injuries by using them on special teams.
Jackson, a wide receiver and punt returner for Penn State from 1980-1983, said special teams duties were split among the assistant coaches when he played as well.
"I know what everybody's saying, and everybody's looking at it and trying to nitpick," Jackson said, "but you gotta sit down and think how long it's been in effect and how long it's worked."
Among all Football Bowl Subdivision schools last season, Penn State ranked 10th in kickoff returns, 11th in net punting, 39th in punt returns and 65th in kickoff coverage.
This season, the Lions are ranked 114th in kickoff returns, 115th in net punting, 107th in punt returns and 63rd in kickoff coverage.
In the Big Ten this season, Penn State ranks last in kickoff returns, ninth in net punting, 10th in punt returns and third in kickoff coverage.
The net punting numbers overshadow punter Jeremy Boone's success. Boone is second among Big Ten punters with a 44.1 yard per punt average.
"Jeremy Boone did a great job in hitting the ball last week against Ohio State and in some cases I think he may have actually outkicked the coverage," linebacker Josh Hull said, adding, "With that said, the guys that are on the front line protecting Jeremy, we need to do a better job getting down the field and executing the tackles."
Fortunately for the Lions, their kickoff coverage units have been solid. That will be tested in the next two weeks since their final two opponents, Indiana and Michigan State, are ranked Nos. 2 and 1 in the conference, respectively, in kickoff returns.
"When it comes to the return game, it is just getting in, watching film and knowing where the kicker is going to kick the ball -- Is it going to be left, right or rugby?" Indiana kick and punt returner Tandon Doss said. "You just have to know what the kicker is going to do and how their coverage is going to come down the field."
