A HISTORICAL LOOK:
24 GREAT UNSUNG NITTANY LIONS

Some may have been forgotten because they were surrounded by name players, or their careers were terminated by untimely injuries, or they because they never made an all star squad. Many of them only started a year at State. None of them became successful in the NFL.

We thought the other readers, especially recently emerging Penn State fans, would like to hear about them. Hopefully, some others will contribute their favorites to the discussion as well.

OFFENSE

OL John Kulka, 66-68

JoePa's breakthru team in 67 [Gator Bowl] had a fine offensive line which had to be rebuilt before the next season. One of the carry-over starters was an unpumped-up tackle who helped generate a high powered running attack for the undefeated 68 squad. He was John Kulka.

OL Pat Duffy, 87-90.

The unathletic looking twin brother of outstanding Penn State center Roger Duffy, Pat held down an OT spot in a key Lion rebuilding year, 1990...grew to admire him because when I first saw him on the field in person, I thought Joe had recruited him merely to get his brother.

OL John Nessel, 72-74.

A big 6-6 All American guard [sometimes tackle] who looked dominant, but no one ever seemed to talk about him...surprised when he was cut by the NFL as a rookie...must have been an injury of some sort.

OL Todd Moules, 82-85.

Tough, really tough.

C Bucky Greeley, 90-94

Didn't really appreciate him until he departed. Bumped a skinny looking future dentist named Jack Baiorunos [72-74] from this list.

WR: Eric Hamilton, 84-86

Averaged over 20y per reception for 1986 National Champs. Would have made a bigger impression in the 1990's passing attack.

WR: Greg Edmonds, 68-70

Might have been the slowest starting wr of Paterno era, but he was always open. Led Lions in catches in 69 & 70 and is still #10 all-time.

TE: Brad Scovill, 77-79

Chuck Fusina's go to guy in 1978. Under-sized, but sure handed.

QB Tom Shuman, 72-74

Believe it or not, Penn State had a fabulous offensive squad before the 1990's; the team records of the undefeated 1973 Orange Bowl winners were those shattered in 1994...The QB in 73 was Tom Shuman - enuff said...He also led the Lions to a Cotton Bowl victory after the following season despite the loss of both rbs and both wideouts...22-2 as a starter...edged out undefeated starter Chuck Burkhart for this list...Burkhart only had heart, Shuman had an arm, too.

DB Steve Geise, 74-77

Productive overachiever who had some shining moments ...This was a difficult unsung position to fill because Penn State features the TB so much and always recruits real talent there.

FB Jon Williams, 80-83

Joined with Curt Warner to form a dynamic backfield on the 82 championship squad. Saw some great service as a tailback before and after...injuries jinxed a pro-career.

K Nick Gancitano, 81-84

Talk about unsung! Still #1 in career FG accuracy at 77.6%!

DL Jim Deter, 87-91.

Former linebacker who lifted a lot of iron and became a slightly undersized NT...a terrific scrapper...whenever he got banged up and left the field, the other teams seemed to move the ball a lot better.

DL Mike Russo, 83-86.

Anchor and policeman of the 1986 National Champ's defensive line...tremendously strong.

DL Gregg Gattuso 80-83.

Played a similar role to Russo's on the 1982 National Champs, but he was even more active...From the 1981 Notre Dame game thru the 1983 Sugar Bowl, Gattuso was as productive as Mike Reid or Bruce Clark at their peaks...Before and after that -- he was ordinary.

DL Jim Heller, 70-72

Undersized DT, even for his era...Heller is the only non- linebacker on PSU's top ten career tacklers.

DE/LB Lincoln Lippincott III, 66-68

A stand-up defensive end, sort of a strong outside linebacker, the long-armed, lanky Lippincott started for only one year, but it was an 1l-0 team...No one got outside this guy - he was a textbook player at maintaining outside responsibility...Became a Naval aviator.

LB Larry Ludwig, 70-72

A hyperactive and small OLB, Ludwig started for one year and won the fans' hearts...Saved 72 West Virginia game when hauled down a break away runner from behind.

LB Chet Parlavecchio, 78-81

Really rough and mean...the kind of player Joe should recruit more frequently...Opened 1981 Fiesta Bowl with fumble provoking hit on Heisman winner Marques Allen.

LB Gary Gray, 69-71.

Undersized ILB who had 211 tackles in two years as a starter after backing up Hall-of-Famer Dennis Onkotz as a sophomore...Amateur hypnotist.

DB Sherrod Rainge, 85-88.

A really slow DB who had great instincts...Led 88 & 89 teams in interceptions.

DB Buddy Ellis, 71-73

Raw little tough guy who battled everyone on every play... Teamed with Jim Bradley in 73 to form what was Paterno's first really athletic defensive backfield...10th in career intercepts.

DB Greg Ducatte, 69-71

Maybe one of the best run supporting safeties to ever show up in Happy Valley. Built like a linebacker, Ducatte was an early version of Mark Robinson.

P Brian Masella, 72-74

Thirty-eight yards per kick for his career with zero blocked in 159 attempts.

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Mail: MIKE