By RON MUSSELMAN, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A.Q. Shipley vividly recalls Penn State's collapse last year in the regular-season finale at Michigan State.

"I remember being up about three scores and watching it all come crumbling down," the fifth-year senior center said. "It kind of put us in a little bit of shock."

Long before the season began, many were predicting a Red October for Penn State.

The gloomy forecast was based on the Nittany Lions' past performances against Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State and the fact that the Lions had to play those three traditional Big Ten powers during a three-week stretch.

Penn State was a combined 5-16 against that trio since 2000.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Illinois coach Ron Zook hopes to shake "Juice'' loose Saturday at Beaver Stadium. But Penn State would like to put the squeeze on the Illinois quarterback, whose given name is Isiah Williams.

WASHINGTON -- Joe Paterno's storied coaching career could end on a sour note -- if he lets it.

Two members of Penn State's Board of Trustees yesterday told the Post-Gazette that negotiations regarding a possible contract extension or succession plan for Paterno have not gone smoothly.

SAN ANTONIO -- Baseball has former Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., its all-time iron man, who played 2,632 consecutive games.