Running back Green off to fast start at Penn State

0 Comments | Philadelphia Daily News, September, 2008 | by BERNARD FERNANDEZ fernanb@phillynews.com

THROUGH THE years, Joe Paterno's more renowned runners have been between-the-tackles bashers like Franco Harris, John Cappelletti, Larry Johnson, Curtis Enis and Tony Hunt. Even the speedy Ki-Jana Carter, who could (and did) break his share of long-gainers for the Nittany Lions' last undefeated team in 1994, was a 20-carry-a-game workhorse who packed 222 pounds onto his muscular 5-10 frame.

But every now and then, JoePa and his staff have to find touches for more compact backs whose primary asset is their ability to gain a lot of ground in a hurry. Lydell Mitchell and Blair Thomas were under 6-feet tall and 200 pounds, but rank among the most productive runners ever in Happy Valley. Last season's leading rusher, 5-9, 203-pound Rodney Kinlaw, was a pleasant surprise in...