Penn State holds conference calls for reporters and players each week,
giving media from across the state a chance to pick the players'
brains for about 15 minutes. This morning, I was on calls with Anthony
Morelli, Jordan Norwood, Tony Davis and Gerald Cadogan. (Austin Scott
was a no-show.)

Below, I've compiled some newsworthy -- and not-so-newsworthy -- items. Enjoy.

* NOTHING is known about FIU. The Golden Panthers have a new coach,
Mario Cristobal, who brought in a new staff last season. So players
and coaches have studied tape of Rutgers and Miami, both schools where
Cristobal coached. Morelli said: "We're just trying to prepare for any
and everything they could throw at us."

* Yesterday, Justin King said Lydell Sargeant, a starting cornerback,
would be the nickel back and that A.J. Wallace would assume the corner
position in those situations. Today, Davis said he was the nickel
back. Asked who would come in to play safety for him when he moves to
nickel, Davis said, "We're not really sure on that right now." I guess
we'll have to wait and see on that one.

* Davis, who never played safety in high school, said he's "feeling
really comfortable" at safety, his new position.

* The offensive line has jelled off the field, Cadogan said. The
linemen eat dinner together, play paintball together, go to the pool
together. "As a whole," Cadogan said, "we've been doing a lot more
stuff together this summer."

* Cadogan's favorite plays as a lineman: counter plays and screens. He
likes to get out ahead on screens and "show my speed off a little
bit." Easy, big fella. It's hard to talk about showing speed when D-Will is
galloping with the ball behind you.

* Terrell Golden's vocal presence is a main reason he was selected captain.

* Norwood will no longer wear red contacts. Last season, the 5-foot-10
receiver wore the dayglow lens because they are supposed to help
vision by blocking some sunlight -- and because they look intimidating.

* Morelli commented on Mickey Shuler, who is likely is starting tight
end this week because of Andrew Quarless' suspension. "I think he'll
be able to fill that spot very well," said Morelli, citing Shuler's
size and hands.

That's all I have for now. Check back later and we should have more updates.

See you around campus,
Mark