While defense is usually the backbone of any good team, it seems the success Penn State will have this year is largely predicated on the play of the offense. How that unit performs is still up for debate.

Few questions were answered in the Nittany Lions' season-opening 23-13 win over South Florida. The Nittany Lions were not expected to become an offensive juggernaut overnight, but the performance raised serious questions about how this team would perform against the stronger teams in the Big Ten.

The running game did bring a smile to Joe Paterno's face. RB Tony Hunt got off to a great start by carrying the ball 15 times for 140 yards and getting into the end zone once. He looked quick, powerful and decisive, and he took some of the pressure off starting quarterback Michael Robinson.

However, even with a solid ground game and a choking defense in support, Robinson looked ordinary at quarterback. He completed 9-of-15 passes for 90 yards, but missed open receivers several times. Robinson also ran 17 times for 43 yards.

He was not terrible and he was forced to throw on the run, but opportunities for big plays were not taken advantage of because Robinson missed open receivers. It wasn't all his fault, as Robinson had to throw on the run because the Bulls were able to put quite a bit of pressure on him.

"On a couple passes downfield," Paterno said, "Mike had to run for his life."

Paterno had said during the week that he was going to try to get backup Anthony Morelli into the game, but the closeness of the contest didn't allow it.

However, Morelli may be Paterno's best option when it comes to throwing the ball downfield. If the venerable head coach doesn't get Morelli in there, he may be denying his team its best opportunity to compete later on in the season against the toughest Big Ten opponents.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Freshman WR Derrick Williams may be the most explosive player on the team. He caught 3 passes for 38 yards in his debut and Penn State fans are anxious to see him with the ball in his hands.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We did a lot of things well. A lot of three-and-outs. But we'd rather get a doughnut, man. We wanted to get 40 points (on offense) and have a zero on the other end." -- Senior CB Alan Zemaitis on the performance of the Nittany Lion defense in the season-opening 23-13 win over South Florida.

--CB Alan Zemaitis is a playmaker. He picked up first-quarter Courtney Denson fumble and ran 16 yards for a touchdown. Zemaitis also had five tackles and two passes defensed.

-- LB Tim Shaw had a hand in 10 tackles and forced the Denson fumble that Zemaitis returned for a score.

STILL NEEDS SOME WORK: Is Joe Paterno being obstinate by failing to give Anthony Morelli an opportunity to throw the ball. Paterno stuck with senior Michael Robinson throughout the game, even though Robinson missed open receivers.

--QB Michael Robinson was on the run throughout the game. The offensive line, led by OLT Levi Brown, needs to do a better job of protecting him.

--The Nittany Lions need to give their defense more of an opportunity to rest. South Florida won the time of possession battle, 32:03-27:57.

ROSTER REPORT: Sophomore starting MLB Dan Connor did not dress for the game. He stood on the sideline because he is suspended indefinitely as a result of his involvement in a series of harassing prank calls. ... C E.Z. Smith, a starter last season, watched in street clothes. He returned to the team on Tuesday after missing spring and summer workouts, a punishment that resulted from a January incident in which he used a bow and arrow to damage a campus apartment. ... DT Jim Shaw sustained a knee injury in the second quarter and it was not immediately known how long he will be out. Joe Paterno does not have a lot of depth at the position. ... OG Tyler Reed replaced Robert Price in the second quarter. ... DE Lavon Chisley will miss his senior season as a result of poor grades. ... WR Mark Rubin (ankle) will miss the full season.