Brandon Beachum made 2 yards for the first down and Michael Zordich scored on the next play for the winning points in Penn State's 14-10 victory at Lincoln Financial Field.
The development shows just how strange things continue to be with the Nittany Lions on offense and in the kicking game going into Saturday's home contest against Eastern Michigan.
The quarterback situation remains unsettled. Paterno said he feels no need to name a No. 1 between Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin in time for the Oct. 1 Big Ten opener at Indiana even though he's not a fan of the two-quarterback system.
"I don't know if maybe I'm making a mistake in not deciding," he said. "I'm not real comfortable having two quarterbacks. But I also wouldn't be comfortable if I did something that I felt ended up being unfair to one. So I have a dilemma."
Even with a decent game against Temple, the Penn State passing attack ranks 106th in the nation in average yards and 115th in efficiency. The Lions are 111th in completion percentage and 114th in yards per attempt.
Guard DeOn'tae Pannell said the unit is frustrated and putting pressure on itself to produce, but feels it will come around.
"We're definitely still confident," Pannell said. "We have a lot of guys back that are experienced and have played a lot of football games. So we know what needs to be done. We need to continue to improve and we'll be OK."
As for the kicking game, confidence is low. Paterno did not hint at any changes following last week's mess that saw the Lions miss three field goals and have a punt blocked.
Evan Lewis is 1 for 5 on field goals. Anthony Fera, who handles punts and kickoffs, "is getting back in the groove," according to Paterno, a suggestion he might be given a shot at field goals.
On his Big Ten call Tuesday, Paterno said Lewis has been "excellent in practice."
"I think he's got to have a little success in the game to get a little bit more confidence in himself," the coach said, "and not be worried about the bad things that can happen, just concentrate on kicking the football the way he can, and go from there."
Sounds easy, but it hasn't been easy thus far.
Nittany Notes. Paterno did not want to say "one way or the other" whether wide receiver Curtis Drake (West Catholic) will play in the foreseeable future. Drake returned from a broken left leg to play against Alabama but did not dress against Temple. . . . Paterno met before his teleconference with senior tailback Stephfon Green and told him he needs to buy into the program. "The minute I'm convinced you do that, we'll start to think about using you in the football game." Green was charged two weeks ago with purchasing alcohol for a minor. . . . Paterno was impressed with the way senior tight end Andrew Szczerba of Wilmington handled himself playing less than 36 hours after his uncle, New Castle County police Sgt. Joseph Szczerba, was killed in the line of duty. "To have the tragedy they had in their family and still be able to concentrate and do a good job, I think is a credit to him and his family," he said.
Contact staff writer Joe Juliano at 215-854-4494 or jjuliano@phillynews.com
