Blue White Illustrated

A P R I L 1 9 , 2 0 1 7 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 2 spring, when the starters shut out the backups, 37-0. "You'll see the spring game will be a lit- tle bit different this year," Franklin said in March. "I don't want to go ones and twos vs. everybody else. I want to have ones vs. twos and hopefully, for the first time, have a really competitive scrimmage. That should be fun and exciting." Most of the Nittany Lions' marquee players are back this year, with Trace McSorley, Saquon Barkley and Mike Gesicki among others returning to the offense and Jason Cabinda and Marcus Allen back on defense. But there are some areas in which the Lions will look quite different this fall, and chief among the revamped position groups are the of- fensive line and the defensive backfield. There's been some mixing and matching in both areas this spring, and some of those changes will be on display in the Blue-White Game. On the offensive front, sophomore Connor McGovern has been moved to center in place of Brian Gaia. A year ago, Gaia was the only lineman to start all 14 games at the same position, while Mc- Govern started nine games alongside him at right guard. But Gaia has since gradu- ated, and his departure has had a ripple effect that may or may not be perma- nent. In switching back to center, which was where he played at Lake-Lehman High and where he started his Penn State ca- reer last spring, McGovern drew upon the experience he gained as a freshman starter. "I think it helped me last year because now I know what they're doing when they're out there and I know what's going on every play, so it helps me know what everyone is doing on the line. It helps to give out better calls." McGovern said. "When the linebacker is pushed over, I know when to give certain calls now, so I think it's helped in that aspect." Elsewhere on the offensive line, Ryan Bates has been at leA tackle, where he started four games at the end of last sea- son due to injuries to other players. Chasz Wright has been the first-team right tackle, while Steven Gonzalez is at right guard and early enrollee Mike Mi- randa at the opposite guard spot. That arrangement could be subject to change before the start of the season with the eventual return of injured starters An- drew Nelson and Brendan Mahon. On defense, the Lions have also had to make some major adjustments in their secondary. They lost strong safety Malik Golden to graduation, and cornerback John Reid went down this spring with what could prove to be a season-ending knee injury. Those losses will thrust some of Penn State's young defensive backs onto cen- ter stage on Saturday. While the Nittany Lions return a pair of senior starters in Allen, a free safety, and cornerback Grant Haley, as well as a veteran backup cor- nerback in Christian Campbell, the team will assuredly need some of its younger players to step up. That list could include true freshman cornerback Lamont Wade, an early enrollee who is expected to make his Penn State debut on Satur- day. Cornerbacks coach Terry Smith said he's seen good things this spring from both rising stars and experienced veter- ans. "Grant Haley is having a tremendous spring. Christian Campbell is also having a tremendous spring," he said. "Both of those guys have played a lot of football for us and we consider both of those guys returning starters. They're having great springs, getting better." Smith continued, "A young guy who is jumping on the scene is incoming fresh- THE BLUE-WHITE GAME AT A GLANCE WHERE Beaver Stadium WHEN 3 p.m., April 22 TV/RADIO The Blue-White Game will air live on the Big Ten Network. The radio broadcast will air live on the Penn State Sports Network and at GoPSUSports.com. ADMISSION/PARKING There will be no admission fee for Penn State's spring game. Also, season-ticket holders who purchased season parking permits for the 2016 season received a white 2017 Blue-White Game parking permit with their 2016 tickets and parking permit sheet last summer. Season-ticket holders planning to attend the Blue-White Game are asked to hang their permit as they approach Beaver Stadium. Previously issued Blue-White Game parking permits that are lost will not be replaced. Season- ticket holders with a white permit and patrons with pre-purchased permits will be able to park in the lots closest to Beaver Sta- dium. Fans who do not have a parking permit that came with their 2016 season tickets or did not purchase parking permits in advance will be charged for parking on game day. During Blue-White Weekend, there will be a $20 charge (cash only) for game day RVs and cars, and a $60 charge (cash only) for the overnight RV lot (for all fans who arrive on Friday with an RV). Buses also will be charged $60 (cash only). Beaver Stadium parking lots will open on game day at 8 a.m. Gates A, B, C and E will open at 1:30 p.m. Team arrival for the Nittany Lions will be at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Curtin and Porter roads. AUTOGRAPH SESSION The annual autograph session with the Nittany Lions will take place from 12:15 to 1:05 p.m. at gates A, B, C, E and F. The players will be permitted to sign one item per person to give as many fans as possible an opportunity to meet the squad. OTHER EVENTS The Fan Fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include numerous displays and vendors, as well as slides and games for kids. It will be located on Curtin Road near Beaver Stadium, as it is during the season. … The eighth annual Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run/Family Fun Walk to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania is set for 11 a.m. Sun- day, April 23. Participants will finish at the 50-yard line in Beaver Stadium for the 3-mile run or 1-mile walk. For more information, visit specialolympicspa.org.

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