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Show . defense and the punting. " The Blockbuster Bowl, which STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) gave Penn State a bid to its Jan. 1 In Penn State's final season as bowl way back in May, already an independent, the Nittany Lions' believes the Lions are good talent and schedule could team up enough. Penn State, which begins to produce Joe Paterno's third na- play in the Big Ten next year, was tional championship. left out of a nationwide bowl alliThe Nittany Lions return sever- ance. The Lions can accept the Blockal top players, they've already locked up a New Year's Day bowl buster bid if they win at least six bid and, if past performances are games. Given the weakness of any clue, their first test won't their early schedule, they could be come until Oct. 10 against defendplaying for victory No. 6 against Miami. national Miami. champion ing Penn State will tune up with Cin"We could be a good football ), (4-- 7 cinnati last year), Temple 1991 whose team," says Paterao, Eastern Michigan team finished 11-- 2 and ranked No. and Rutgers (6-5-). 3. "How good? It depends on how Maryland (2-On visits Oct. (12-0- ) Miami 10, quickly our quarterbacks mature and stay healthy. I'm happy with State College. Paterno cringes when it's sugthe offense, concerned about the gested that the first five opponents are cannon fodder. By RALPH BERNSTEIN AP Sports Writer (2-9- (3-7-- 9) XHH JHBBAU3. J5wy9fc. VW. Football - '!- sive line, but says he has to build some depth. "I don't know if we have No. 2s," the coach says. He has two main concerns on defense, usually the Lions' forte. One concern is the secondary, where he must replace corner Leonard Humphries and safety Darren Perry. The second is filling in for linebackers Keith Goganious and Mark D'Onofrio, the second-an- d g tacklers last third-leadin- year. The Lions also lost Doug the school's Hel-kows- fifth-leadi- career punter. Paterno, 65 and the fourth coach in Division I history, win-ninge- st has had only one losing season in 26 years. Photos: Penn State Joe Paterno meets with President Reagan after 1980 title. After Miami, the Lions face ), Boston College West Vir(6-5- ), ginia Brigham Young Notre Dame (10-3- ) and Pittsburgh ). Notre Dame at South Bend appears to be the big challenge in the final part of the schedule. If Penn State can beat Miami and Notre Dame, the Lions would be in strong position to add another national title to the ones they won in 1982 and 1986. Richie Anderson, the Lions' top runner last season, and receiver O.J. McDuffie, whose 17.4 yards per catch led the team in 1 99 1 , lead the list of Penn State's offensive (4-7- (8-3-- 1 (.iKHftOMinnB'-tMaat- o (6-5- r-w- x - n y - c E.J. Sandusky QUUQ II iili at 4 4;Mil 0 returnees. The top tackier, Lee Rubin, also is back. quartReplacing record-settin- g erback Tony Sacca is Kerry Col220-poulins, a junior. "Collins is not very different from Sacca," Paterno says. "He is not quite as fast as Tony, but he is the same kind of kid with a big, nd i! strong arm." Sacca, whose younger brother John is one of Collins' competitors at quarterback, broke or tied 14 Penn State passing records. Last year's backup, Matt Nardolillo, left the team after the Fiesta Bowl but announced during the summer he would return. Paterno hopes for a big year from Anderson, the team's -leading scorer last year behind returning place kicker Craig Fay-a- k. Anderson averaged five yards per carry and gained 779 yards. "Anderson was awfully good at the end of last year, ' ' Paterno says. "He can be really good." Anderson had more than 90 yards per game in the Lions' last four 1991 contests. McDuffie averaged 10.8 yards per punt ret'irn last year. "He could have a really big, big year," Paterno says. "I think he has the personality and everything going for him." The Lions also should be strong at fullback with the return of Brian O'Neal, who voluntarily sat out last year. He averaged 4.75 yards per carry in 1990. Sophomore J.T. Morris is a likely challenger for the IF ml. 1 There's a Peachtree Door & Window For Every Opening in your home. Challis Stairways speanc suit we can (resign your system, wneioer massive or gotbic or contemporary with fine lines. second- JohnGerak if J job. Brett Wright Paterno likes his starting offen 1 1 1 H " "v ifT' IS 0 a |