STATE COLLEGE— Derrick Williams' career has come full circle.

Penn State's freshman sensation in 2005 is now the steady captain in 2008 trying to help steer the Nittany Lions back into the BCS. He was part of a first-year class that helped coach Joe Paterno get the then-struggling program back on the winning track with a Big Ten title and an Orange Bowl victory.

"We love being compared to the 2005 season, but we're definitely trying to create our own" memories, the senior receiver said.

He might want to start a scrapbook, if only to commemorate what could be another momentous season in his coach's Hall of Fame career.

Paterno's 372 career victories are one behind his good friend, Florida State's Bobby Bowden, for most among major college coaches. They'll likely be tied for the record after Penn State's Saturday season opener at home against Division I-AA Coastal Carolina, since the Seminoles don't start until the following week.

Then there's the matter of Paterno's contract.

It expires after this season, and he and school administrators have put off talks about his future until then. Both sides agree Paterno doesn't need something in writing to keep a job that he's had for a record 43 seasons.

The immediate focus is on 2008. There are holes to fill at quarterback and linebacker, and injured Nittany Lions must return to add depth on the defensive line.

The schedule-makers didn't do Penn State a favor with this October trifecta in consecutive weeks: at Wisconsin; Michigan at home; and at Big Ten favorite Ohio State.

At least there are positions of strength that Paterno can cross off his worry list.

Shipley leads an experienced and potentially dominant offensive line. Williams returns with fellow seniors Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood to form a sure-handed and productive wideout trio.

It's good news for whomever Paterno decides to install as the new starting quarterback in what's expected to be more of a spread-style offense similar to the one used successfully in 2005.

Senior Darryl Clark and redshirt sophomore Pat Devlin, backups the last two years to Anthony Morelli, are the candidates.

On defense, "Linebacker U." will be short on star power with career tackles leader Dan Connor now in the NFL and the presumed next leading man, Sean Lee, out for the season with a right knee injury.

There's plenty of talent and depth at the position, but not a lot of experience — at least the kind of experience and fiery leadership that Lee would have brought.

In the Big Ten, Penn State could realistically finish anywhere from second to fifth or sixth. The talent is there for a third-place conference finish (behind Ohio State and Wisconsin), a trip to a Jan. 1 bowl game and a 10-win season.