STATE COLLEGE - Sit Paul Posluszny at a table in front of TV cameras next to vocal teammates Michael Robinson and Alan Zemaitis, and the Penn State linebacker seems like a wallflower.

On the field though, Posluszny, a junior, has made quite an impression on his teammates. So much so that Posluszny is the first junior to be elected a captain on the football team since 1968.

Zemaitis, a senior cornerback and fellow captain, says Posluszny - he calls him "Puz" - has been leading by example with his reckless, no-holds-barred style of play since the linebacker was a freshman.

"When he came in, it was a different tone," Zemaitis said Thursday during a rare late-afternoon, midsummer news conference at the Penn State football facility. "Just through his presence and the way he attacks things."

Captains were elected in May, but this was the first time all three players spoke together to the media since then.

Posluszny is one of the main cogs on a Penn State defense expected to be solid again this upcoming season. Nine starters return from last year's defensive unit that didn't allow more than 21 points a game.

Last year, linebackers Posluszny and Dan Connor, then a freshman, were the first underclassmen to lead the team in tackles (104 and 85, respectively) since Brandon Short and LaVar Arrington in 1998.

This summer, Posluszny says he's taking his new captain responsibilities to heart. So far, most of the tasks are more logistical than anything else, like scheduling meetings and keeping track of Penn State's incoming freshman.

"One piece of advice I was given: To be a great captain, you don't have to say a word," Posluszny said. "I just try to take advantage of the situation and lead by example."

Posluszny isn't shy about reciting some lofty goals, like getting Penn State back to a Rose Bowl and a Big Ten championship.

That might be asking a lot this year considering the Nittany Lions finished 4-7 in 2004 (2-6 Big Ten). While the defense stood out, the offense struggled last season.

Spring practice brought hints that could change. Though a freshman, wide receiver Derrick Williams is expected to add some much-needed speed to the offense. Another freshman, Justin King, is listed at cornerback but also had big plays on offense during the spring game.

Williams, like King, graduated from high school early and enrolled at Penn State this past spring, allowing him to practice with the team. That precious practice time has allowed Williams, especially, to become more familiar with the offense, said Robinson, a senior

quarterback and another captain. Notes: Rabid

Penn State fans will get a chance to put on pads and their own blue-and-white uniforms next year as part of the inaugural Penn State Football Fantasy Camp. For $4,490 per participant, campers will train at the Penn State's posh football facilities, learn from coaches and play in a flag football game at Beaver Stadium. Net proceeds will go toward providing additional academic resources for Penn State football players, the school said. ... Zemaitis has been named to the preseason "watch list" for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive back.

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On the Net:

Penn State football: http://www.gopsusports.com/Football/home.cfm

AP-ES-07-08-05 0009EDT