Penn State returns four playmakers

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Deon Butler, Derrick Williams, Justin King and Jordan Norwood are back.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Deon Butler saw Derrick Williams standing nearby on the Beaver Stadium turf and challenged his teammate to a race.

"Derrick I might beat you in a race! Hey Derrick!" Butler yelled to Williams, who didn't respond. "He's not even going to listen right now."

Last season, opponents didn't listen — and learned the hard way. The speedy Butler and Williams were part of a talented quartet of first-year playmakers who helped resurgent Penn State win the Big Ten crown and the Orange Bowl.

The foursome returns for their sophomore years, bolstered with the confidence that comes with success.

Butler, Williams and Justin King added explosiveness to the once-bland offense. Local product Jordan Norwood emerged as a sure-handed receiver who wasn't afraid to go over the middle. He capped his season with six catches for 110 yards in against Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

"We just know what we are capable of. We got a year under our belt, whereas last year, we went in blind. We didn't know what to expect," Butler said. "The team knows how it feels to win, what it takes to win."

Williams was injured

Butler, a converted defensive back, was the team's leading receiver as a red-shirt freshman with 37 catches and nine touchdowns last season. He may not have caught so many balls if not for Williams' season-ending left arm injury last October during the last-second loss to Michigan.

A highly touted recruit, Williams lined up all over the field his freshman year — taking handoffs from the backfield, running end-arounds and catching deep balls. He emerged as a threat to score every time he touched the ball, finishing his shortened season with three rushing touchdowns and one receiving score.

That's quite a hefty load from 79-year-old coach Joe Paterno, who once hesitated giving freshmen so much responsibility so early in a season.

"We just have to see how it plays out, but obviously you want to see Williams get his hands on the football as many times as possible because he is such a good athlete," Paterno said about Williams' role this year.

Wiliams got bigger

The 6-foot Williams has bulked up a little this year, perhaps to better withstand the pounding he'll take from being a focal point of the offense. A scar lines the back of his upper left arm, where doctors repaired the injury.

Williams' contributions will be key toward the development of new starting quarterback Anthony Morelli. The strong-armed junior replaces dual-threat and team leader Michael Robinson, now in the NFL.

"With our receiving corps, getting that year underneath your belt matured us in a lot of ways," Williams said. "We can read defenses better, know what our offense has do on a play and try to go out there and execute."

King, recruited to Penn State as a cornerback, played both ways last year. This season, it's all about defensive back, since Paterno must replace all four starters from last year's secondary.

King has switched jerseys, too, trading in No. 7 for No. 1. He figures to be a threat returning kicks, but is mainly a one-way player now.

Defense is "where he's best suited," Paterno said. "If we stay healthy, I think Justin will play corner. Period."

Tuesday, August 15, 2006