GAME PROGRAM PREVIEW
Here's one of the many feature stories that you can find in this weekend's Penn State vs. Louisiana Tech Game Program. Be sure to buy your copy of the game program at the Stadium on Saturday for just $3 to get this feature and features on Anthony Adams, the women's volleyball team's national championship and others. You'll also get the rosters, stats, and all the info you need to enjoy the game.
Can't be at Beaver Stadium on Saturday? Well, you can still get the program for your collection. Just send $4 (Book Rate) or $6 (First Class) per copy to Beaver Stadium Pictorial Sales, 101D, Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA, 16802. Mail CHECK or MONEY ORDER made payable to Penn State.
Kareem McKenzie: Walk the Walk
Kareem McKenzie has seen, heard and even read the preseason football publications - the same publications that rave about his play on the Penn State offensive line - and the same publications that anointed him an All-American.
No, he didn't show interest in the magazines to create an ego. The usually soft-spoken senior tackle just wanted to see what the media had to say about him.
"I was just curious to see what they had written about me," said the Willingboro, N.J., native, who was picked as a first-team preseason All-American by Athlon Sports. "But you have to remember though, that they are just magazines and preseason hype means nothing. It's what you do in the regular season that makes you a great player and a great team." Was he flattered by the attention?
"Not at all," he said. "If you believe all the hype and buy into it, then you are going to be in trouble. You then start to think that you are the greatest player to ever play the position and then you start to slack off. I don't think that way. I'm always trying to get better and always looking to improve on my strengths and my weaknesses."
Offensive tackles and tight ends coach Bill Kenney is excited to hear that coming from one of his senior leaders.
"Kareem is a terrific young man, student and a football player," said the veteran coach of 13 years at Penn State. "He has his head on straight and I don't have to worry about him believing all the stuff that is said about him.
"No matter what is said, he will always come out and give you 110 percent. He has grown up a lot since he got here and he has the makings of being a great lineman."
That comes from a man that has seen players such as Jeff Hartings, Marco Rivera, Andre Johnson, Keith Conlin, Phil Ostrowski, Floyd Wedderburn, Kyle Brady and many others move onto careers in the National Football League.
"I hope that people will mention my name with those other guys in the future," said McKenzie, who was a member of the 1999 All-Big Ten first-team as voted by the coaches. "Coach Kenney was the man behind those men, and if I work hard and listen to what he says, then I feel that I can be one of the best to ever play here."
McKenzie's 1999 accomplishments in his first season at short tackle are the main reason for his 2000 preseason honors. In addition to his first-team selection by the Big Ten coaches, the media selected McKenzie to their second-team for the second time in as many seasons. He also showed his endurance by logging 908 snaps last season - second-highest on the team to the graduated David Macklin. McKenzie and his linemates were in-strumental in Penn State's 341-yard rushing effort in the 31-7 win over Iowa last season. The yardage was the most on the ground in four years by the Nittany Lions.
"I just love going out there and hitting people and creating holes for our running backs," the 6-7, 321-pounder said. "When I see one of our running backs gaining 100 yards or more, then I feel confident that I've done my job by helping them do theirs."
McKenzie was one of nine freshmen to play during the 1997 season. As a sophomore in '98, he played his way into the starting lineup at short guard and started the initial nine games of the season. An ankle sprain hindered his performance over the last three games, but despite the minor setback, the media still rewarded McKenzie with a spot on their All-Big Ten second team. "He has shown a lot of progress throughout his first three seasons with us," Kenney said. "Good players keep on improving and when you start to think they can't do much more, they surprise you with something else. He is that type of player."
McKenzie was named to the All-Burlington County and New Jersey all-state squads in high school. Not bad, considering he played only two years of high school football. Under the guidance of Willingboro High coach Tyrone Bel-ford, McKenzie rack-ed up numerous a-wards and distinguished himself from other offensive line prospects throughout the nation.
In addition to his local awards, Mc-Kenzie topped the list of most national All-American teams, in-cluding USA Today. SuperPrep honored McKenzie as the No. 1 rated offensive lineman in the country his senior year at Willingboro.
"I had a lot of fun in high school," Mc-Kenzie said. "It was great to win all of those awards, but I never let it get to my head. High school football helped to prepare me for other things in life and not just football."
But despite all the awards - college and high school - McKenzie is on a mission this season. One, to go out a winner and play for a Big Ten champion. And two, to be a part of the best offensive line in the conference.
"I'm excited for this season," said McKenzie, a management major who is on target to graduate in May. "It's my last go around here and I want it to be a good one. We received a lot of criticism last season for not being a more consistent running team and I took that personally. I don't want that to happen again this season. We (the offensive line) have worked hard together over the off-season to right the ship in 2000. I believe and I know that we will do it this year."
One man who is excited to hear that is the one that will count on the offensive line to protect him every game - senior quarterback Rashard Casey.
"I feel confident with Kareem in front of me," Casey said. "I'm practically putting my life in his hands to protect me. If he and the rest of the line can give me time then I feel certain we can move the ball and put points on the board."
"He's the guy that leads our offense, so I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure he has enough time to make decisions on the field that will help our team," McKenzie said of his duties to protect Casey's blindside. "If we help each other out, then our jobs are all a little bit easier. I'm excited to see what happens this season."