PSU FAN BLOG Exclusive: NLC Luncheon

It has been a part of the Blue-White weekend for years, yes, the Annual Nittany Lion Club Luncheon with Joe Paterno. It is a great event and it always attracts loads of people. The program includes entertainment from the Penn State dance team and cheerleaders, a few words from Joe Paterno, (where he introduces the senior players), and a question and answer session. Dan Connor was the first person Paterno introduced and all he said about him was "you talk too much...".

Joe Paterno talked about the football team, how they are going to play this season and told a few old stories. On the team, he said "we're in pretty good shape". He believes there are four seasons-winter program, spring practice, pre-season, regular season. He stresses the importance of good spring practice, "we've had alot of springs and we had a good spring practice [this year] with no injuries, knock on wood". Of course everyone is worried about the running back and quarterback situations, but Coach Paterno doesn't seem very phased at all. On the running backs he says, "we have two of the best running backs we've ever had", and he is absolutely right. Austin Scott and Rodney Kinlaw will step up and fill the shoes of workhorse Tony Hunt. Scott is more explosive than Hunt and can move up field very quickly. On quarterbacks, Paterno believes in Morelli and was sticking up for him, like he has this past season. "Morelli has paid his dues and he is ready to be the quarterback we thought he was going to be", he said and I hope is right; Morelli was one of the highest recruited quarterbacks during his senior
season in high school. On defense, Coach Paterno stresses not only quickness, but thinking one step ahead of the play and to be smart while they are playing. This coming season, Coach Paterno thinks "we're going to be a good football team".

During the question and answer session all the usual questions were asked like, "What do you think about the team?" or "Explain the tailback situation in depth.", but of course you had the ultimate Paterno fan who said "We love you Joe, no questions!". A good question that did come up was one about the BCS and Paterno says that the BCS can't keep using the "players will miss classes" excuse for not having a playoff because, kids have been missing classes for years in the NCAA basketball tournament. He knows that is money tied up in the BCS, but there is no excuse for having a playoff. One of the last questions asked was "What was your greatest moment as a coach?" and Paterno's response was "I don't know!, but one day I will eventually look back and see what moment was the best". Of course we, the Nittany Nation, think the greatest moment is yet to come.

In closing, Coach Paterno read a poem which one of his friends wrote to honor the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre. He was moved nearly to tears.