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JoePa, Royster on verge of milestones

Fri 3rd, September 2010

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - It's a milestone in itself that Penn State icon Joe Paterno is still coaching in the twilight of his years. So it comes as no surprise that the bespectacled legend is approaching 400 career wins.

His traditional white-laced Nike's and khaki pants have strolled the sidelines in Happy Valley since the 1960s, leaving many to wonder when Paterno will finally call it quits. It's unlikely the all-time leader in career wins among FBS coaches will shoot for the unprecedented 500-win mark since he's currently 394-129-3 (75.2).

Paterno will enter his 45th season as head coach of the Nittany Lions, who kick off the season Saturday afternoon against Youngstown State. The young squad returns 13 starters from a year ago which could make it tough for Paterno to become only the third coach in NCAA history with 400 victories, joining John Gagliardi (471) and Eddie Robinson (408). Paterno, whose tenure as head coach at PSU is the longest at one institution among major college coaches, won 300 games faster than any other at his position.

Inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in December 2007, Paterno's best years may be behind him. But his love for the sport and Penn State is as fresh as the morning dew.

"I'm feeling really good. And as long as I enjoy it, I'll continue to coach, unless I don't think I can do a good job or anybody else doesn't think I can do the job," Paterno quipped during Big Ten media day.

Let's be honest here.

Who in their right mind at Penn State is going to tell Paterno it's time for him to hang up the cuffed khakis after all of the revenue and popularity he has created in his time in central Pennsylvania?

Some may argue the game has passed Paterno by, but he can simply point towards the four Bowl wins over the past five years, back-to-back 11-win seasons, a myriad of players drafted in the NFL and nation-wide respect from both players and coaches. Paterno has also been fortunate to have great scouts who recruit top-tier athletes around the country.

Enter running back Evan Royster.

Royster is from a hot bed of talent down in Farifax, VA, and has transformed himself into one of the nation's premier backs during his days in State College. Penn State is known for sending its linebackers to the next level, a place where Nittany Lion running backs go to die. Royster will most likely be a mid-round pick in 2011 if he stays healthy and looks to avoid the bust label players such as Blair Thomas, Ki-Jana Carter and Curtis Enis are all too familiar with.

Keeping able-bodied is tough to do at any level of football. Former PSU backs Curt Warner, Tony Hunt and Thomas were able to avoid the trainer's room and are the top three rushers in school history.

Royster, who is returning for his senior season, enters the 2010 campaign with 2,918 career rushing yards and needs 481 more to break Warner's record of 3,398 yards set from 1979-82. He needs only 82 yards to become the sixth Penn State tailback to eclipse the 3,000-career rushing mark. He should get that before halftime versus Youngstown State.

"I wanted to return to finish my degree and for my final year at Penn State," Royster told PSU's official website. "I'm looking forward to next season."

Penn State fans should look forward to seeing Royster become the school's all- time leading rusher sometime in October. The Nittany Lions have three fairly easy games in their first four weeks of action (Youngstown State, Kent State, Temple) save a Sept. 11 road bout with defending national champion Alabama.

In other Penn State news, true-freshman quarterback Robert Bolden is expected to start under center for this weekend's game against the Penguins. Paterno is not well known for throwing young players into the proverbial fire, but then again this a matchup Penn State is expected to win with ease.

Paterno had to pick between several signal callers, including last year's backup Kevin Newsome.

"Based on what we have seen to this point, Bolden has a slight edge right now, but we are confident all three quarterbacks are ready to go and hope to give them an opportunity to play until we settle on the one that gives us the best chance to win," Paterno told the team's website.

Paterno should make that decision Saturday night before the team prepares for a tough showdown with the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, AL.

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