TAMPA, Fla. — Dan Connor isn't quite ready to make a decision about the NFL draft, though he's still looking for more advice.

The Penn State linebacker said Friday that he has submitted paperwork to find out his pro prospects from the NFL draft advisory board. He hasn't heard back yet, so he's likely keeping mum until after the Monday's Outback Bowl.

"I told anyone — players, coaches, parents — that everything is off until after the game," Connor said.

The junior has had quite a year, recording 103 tackles and five sacks as part of one of the nation's best linebacking corps. Connor was named a second-team AP All-American.

The focus for now is getting ready for the 17th-ranked Volunteers and their impressive passing attack. The Nittany Lions have also had to get used to the warm Florida weather — quite a change from the central Pennsylvania winters.

"It's something that you've got to prepare for in the game. You get tired quicker and hotter," Connor said in an air-conditioned conference room just before a team luncheon.

Leisure time

It's not all business when it comes to preparing for a bowl game.

The Nittany Lions on Thursday took in the rides at the Busch Gardens amusement park after practice. On Friday, they had one of many catered meals at a luncheon with Tennessee.

Then on Saturday, there's a scheduled day at the beach, including marching bands, cheerleaders and a pie-eating contest.

Changing times

There have been at least one constant in college football with all the changes to the sport over the last four decades: 80-year-old Joe Paterno is head coach at Penn State.

Paterno doesn't like new routines. "I go to work the same way today that I did 25-30 years ago," he said.

But he said younger coaches may have a tougher time sticking around as long because of increased pressures.

"When there's pressure put on the university, on the president, on the athletic director, wherever it comes from, it's tough for them to handle it," Paterno said. "At Penn State, I've been fortunate enough to outlive most of the boosters."