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Connor takes command of Penn State defense vs. Florida Intl

Sep 1, 2007 - 12:08 PM Florida Intl at No. 17 Penn State 12:00 pm EDT

STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania (Ticker) -- Despite the departure of Paul Posluszny, "Linebacker U" is in good hands.

Dan Connor takes over for Posluszny at middle linebacker Saturday when No. 17 Penn State commences its 2007 season against Florida International, which failed to win a game last year.

Posluszny won the last two Bednarik Awards and set the school record for tackles before moving on to the NFL.

Connor, who excelled as an outside linebacker the last two years, will be moving back inside for his senior season.

Penn State went 9-4 in 2006, including 5-3 in the Big Ten Conference.

While the Nittany Lions again should be stout defensively, whether they can contend for a Bowl Championship Series berth likely will depend heavily on the play of senior quarterback Anthony Morelli, who was inconsistent in his first season as a starter last year.

The Golden Panthers of the Sun Belt Conference had a miserable 2006 season, going 0-12 and engaging in a horrific brawl with Miami.

Don Strock quit as Florida International's coach after the season and was replaced by Mario Cristobal, a Rutgers assistant and former player at Miami.

Florida International and Duke were the only winless teams in Division I-A last year.

The teams have never played before.