NOTEBOOK

Wagner gets early nod as kicker

By Jeff Rice and Vinny Pezzimenti

UNIVERSITY PARK — A reporter asked Joe Paterno about highly touted freshman kicker Anthony Fera and how he might replace Kevin Kelly, who graduated last season as Penn State’s all-time leader in points.

Paterno quickly put the question to rest, saying that the kicking duties are Collin Wagner’s to lose.

Wagner, a former all-state kicker at State College, wasn’t asked to do much during Saturday’s Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium. The junior connected on his only extra point attempt during the White team’s 21-16 victory.

The Nittany Lions will have four kickers on the roster when preseason practice opens in August. Wagner, who was the Nittany Lions’ second kicker behind Kelly last season, and Fera, one of the top rated kickers in the 2009 class, will likely battle for the top spot.

“By no means is this job locked up yet,” Wagner said.

Wagner connected on a 43-yard field goal, the first of his college career, during a victory last season at Syracuse. He also made an extra point against Coastal Carolina and kicked off three times.

That’s the extent of Wagner’s college kicking experience.

“We’ll see what he does in the game,” Paterno said.

Working in Wagner’s favor is his close friendship with Kelly. The two still share an apartment together off campus.

“I’ve pretty much learned everything from him,” Wagner said. “He’s almost my mentor right now. It’s good to come in and have someone like that can take you under their wing and teach you the ways. He’s been around for a long time. He knows what he’s doing.”

Wagner plans on spending most of the summer months working with kick snapper Andrew Pitz and holder Jeremy Boone on timing.

“I’ve got some big shoes to fill,” Wagner said. “For now, I’ve got all summer to work with the snapper and holder to get that down. Come season, hopefully I’ll be right where I need to be.”

Surprise starters

The Blue team included the likely first-team offense and the White team included the likely first-team defense. There were a couple of surprises in each group.

Senior Dennis Landolt, the starting right tackle last season, started at left tackle for the Blue squad and senior Ako Poti started at right tackle. Projected depth charts had Landolt at right tackle and sophomore DeOn’tae Pannell, who played on the White team Saturday, as the first-team left tackle.

Junior Cedric Jeffries was the starting strong safety opposite free safety Drew Astorino, though Jeffries later saw action at the other spot. Sophomore Andrew Dailey also saw time with the first-team (White) defense.

Injury report

A pair of Nittany Lions — Poti and reserve defensive end Pete Massaro, a redshirt who had been praised by coaches and teammates for having a terrific spring — were helped off the field with knee injuries.

Junior wide receiver Brett Brackett sustained a minor shoulder injury Saturday.

Six Nittany Lions did not participate due to previous injuries. They were linebacker Sean Lee (knee), defensive end Jerome Hayes (knee), offensive linemen Nerraw McCormack (knee) and Doug Klopacz (knee), running backs Stephfon Green (ankle) and Brent Carter (knee).

Handing out hardware

Penn State presented its annual spring awards at halftime. The Jim O’Hora Award for most improved defensive player went to sophomore linebacker Mike Mauti, the Red Worrell Award for most

improved offensive player went to junior wide receiver Graham Zug and the Frank Patrick total commitment award went to junior wideout Brett Brackett.