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Starter Yisrael to miss first 5 games of season

Thursday, March 21, 2002

By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Penn State Coach Joe Paterno will suspend starting safety Yaacov Yisrael for the first five games of the coming season because of his arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol in November.

The five-game suspension is one of the harshest penalties handed down by Paterno in recent seasons for a player who has run afoul of the law. Other players have had off-the-field problems over the past few years, but those occurred during the off-season.

"I have to look at his commitment to the team," Paterno said. "I think it's different doing something in season and in the off-season. I don't want to be ruthless, but I don't want to be toothless. I want to be fair."

The suspension means a sophomore must emerge and develop into a starter by August. Paterno mentioned sophomores Chris Harrell, Andrew Guman and Alan Zemaitis as players who will vie for Yisrael's job.

"We have some young kids who are going to have to help us get it done," Paterno said. "Some young kids will have to come to the front. Kids who haven't played a lot are going to have to play against some very good football teams."

In a teleconference previewing spring drills that are scheduled to start Saturday, Paterno said depth in the secondary and play at linebacker will be his primary points of concern the next few months as his team tries to rebound from consecutive losing seasons.

The return of outside linebacker Derek Wake, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in the opener against Miami last year, will be a boost. Lamar Stewart, Jimi Mitchell, Tim Johnson and Gino Capone also will try to secure starting positions.

The Lions finished the 2001 season last in the Big Ten is rushing defense (206.2 yards per game) and ninth in pass defense (237.5).

"We have to be better at the linebacker spot," Paterno said. "We have some kids who have ability, but we have to improve."

Several returning starters will participate sparingly in spring drills in order to concentrate on academics, including safety Shawn Mayer, defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy and offensive tackle Gus Felder.

Felder has to graduate this spring in order to earn his fifth season of eligibility.

"Gus has a heavy load," Paterno said. "It looks as if he can do it. He's not home free by any means, but I think he can do it."

The offense is set at the skill positions with sophomore Zack Mills ready to assume the full-time duties at quarterback. Paterno said Larry Johnson will receive 20-25 carries a game as the tailback. And Bryant Johnson and Tony Johnson are established starting receivers. They combined for 78 receptions and 1,370 yards last season and developed into dangerous players by season's end.

Paterno expressed some concern about depth on the offensive line and the off-season habits of a few of the incumbents. If Felder gains his extra year of eligibility, four starters will return. The others are tackle Chris McKelvy, center Joe Iorio and guard Tyler Lenda.

"There's some kids behind them who will push them," Paterno said. "I'm not completely pleased with some of the older guys. They're not having the type of winter program I would like for them to have. One of them is overweight, and another has missed some classes. I don't think we'll have great depth on the line, but I think guys such as Nick Marmo will challenge the older guys and may give us some depth."

Marmo, a 6-foot 5-inch, 290-pound tackle, is a redshirt sophomore from New Castle, and Paterno said he is ready to take on a bigger role.

"Marmo is having a really good winter program and is starting to mature," Paterno said.

Paterno said he feels better about his offense now than he did at this time a year ago.

"In some ways we're in better shape, but we have to stay healthy," he said.

NOTES -- Redshirt freshman Charles Rush, who spent time on the offensive and defensive lines last season, is playing defense this spring. ... Paterno said sophomore defensive back Scott Sanden is contemplating whether he would like to continue playing football at the Division I level. ... He also said there is still some uncertainty concerning the legal status of senior tight end R.J. Luke, who was involved in a fraternity fight in July.