Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Lost & Found

   By Douglas Fox

   ============================================================== This
story is a sequel to "Drive for Excellense" It is written from the
perspective of Kyle Martin.  All characters, situations and actions are
completely fictitious.

   The previous stories in the series are:

   Algonquin Memories, The Tailback & The Cheerleader, Second Chance At
Love, Love By The Side of the Lakes, Finding Balance, Finding Answers,
Drive for Excellence.  These stories can be found at
/~Douglas_Fox/stories.htm

   Any resemblance to reality is purely coincidental.  These teenagers
practice unsafe sex repeatedly.  No one should do this in real life.  Real
unsafe sex leads to pregnancy, AIDS and death.  Be safe!

   ===================================================

   Chapter 1

   --------------

   "Unka Ky!  Unka Ky!" My four year old nephew Connor cried as he dashed
into the hallway where the wedding party was waiting.  Connor was closely
followed by his identical twin brother Noah.  "Is the wedding gonna start
soon?"

   I glanced down at my watch.  "Not for another twenty minutes." Noah and
Connor hadn't been able to pronounce their `L's' when they started talking
three years ago.  I've been Unka Ky since then.  My brother Andy's sons
looked so cute in their tuxedos.

   Andy asked, "Do you have the pillow for the ring?" Noah pulled it from
behind his back and showed it to his father.

   Noah asked, "When do you put the ring on it?"

   Andy suggested, "Just before the wedding starts.  Why don't you two go
see Mom-Mom?  She might need your help." Andy suggested.  The twins raced
off to find our mother.

   My best man and my best friend growing up, Ed Fritz, asked, "Are you
ready for this Kyle?"

   Am I ready?  I looked down the hallway at my wedding party: Ed Fritz,
Jeremy North, Hal Long, my older half brother Will Henry, and my younger
brother Andy.  My college friends Christian Hunsecker and Damian Thompson
were in the church helping seat my guests.  All my closest friends were at
my side.  I had been preparing for this day for years.

   "Yes.  Everything feels right." I answered.

   Ed said, "I've lost count how many times you've told me `This is the
girl.  This one is for life.' There was Penny in ninth grade, Julie in
tenth grade, back to Penny for the rest of high school, in college there
was..."

   I interrupted, "Enough!  I have it right finally.  Forget all the ones I
lost.  I found the right girl."

   Jeremy added, "Kyle's right.  He's the luckiest guy in the world that
she'll have him."

   These guys didn't know how lucky I was.  My mind started to drift back
to four years ago, when I was starting college.  I stared out the window
into space.

   My reverie was interrupted by Will's half brothers bursting in on us. 
Ethan and Cody Henry were from Will's dad's third marriage.  They were
spending the summer in Lancaster County with their grandfather.  Ethan and
Cody were spending a week with Will and his wife Abby.  I insisted the boys
had to come to my wedding.

   "Did you know the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers just
walked in the door?" Ethan asked.

   I answered, "Of course.  He's my friend.  Zack Hayes and I played
together in college."

   Cody added, "He came in with his brother.  Doesn't his brother play for
the Seahawks?"

   I confirmed, "Sam does."

   At fourteen Ethan and Cody had the Henry build.  Tall and thin.  They
had grown into good looking young men since I saw them four years ago at
Will's wedding.  Ethan and Cody were fanatic football fans.  They were
going to be heaven today.  I'd invited twenty some teammates from Penn
State - current and past players.

   Ethan realized who was standing beside me first.  He gawked at Jeremy
and asked, "Mr.  North, can I get your autograph?"

   Jeremy chuckled.  "Sure thing."

   Ethan fumbled in his pockets.  "I don't have any paper."

   "Don't worry about it kid.  I'm not going anywhere today.  See me at the
reception.  I'll sign whatever you boys have." Jeremy explained.

   "Thanks Mr.  North." Ethan said.  Cody echoed his brother.

   "You can call me Jeremy." Jeremy added.

   Ethan and Cody were still standing there when three more of my friends
popped into the hallway.  Their eyes bugged out when they saw who my
friends were.

   Zack Hayes, Aaron Morano and Chip Brinton stepped into the hallway. 
Zack stated, "The happy day is here.  It's been a long time coming.  Good
luck Kyle."

   "Thanks Zack." I answered.  We noticed Ethan and Cody standing there,
mouths open wide.  I asked, "Have you met Will's younger brothers?"

   "No." I introduced Cody and Ethan to Zack, Aaron and Chip.  They were
nearly speechless in the presence of real NFL players and a big time
college quarterback.

   Our circle of friends talked about our experiences in football.  Hal
looked around the circle.  He asked, "Do you realize that between all of
us, we've accounted for five high school and college championships?"

   The rest of us looked around the circle of friends.  He was right.  I
said, "We've been blessed by football." We were quiet for a few moments. 
"We've been blessed in life."

   "Amen." "Indeed we have." "Yes, you're right." My friends agreed.

   I asked, "Jeremy, when are you getting married?"

   Jeremy answered, "Not until next winter.  Things are too crazy right
now. I want a real honeymoon and time with Kath after we marry."

   "I hear you.  My honey and I didn't want to wait.  Now is the right time
for us." I turned to Hal.  "What about you?"

   Hal laughed.  "It will be awhile.  Tammy's starting grad school in
August.  We aren't going to talk about it until after I am sure that I have
a job beyond the summer."

   I teased Ed.  "I assume you're going to be a perpetual bachelor?"

   Ed replied, "I'm happy playing the field now.  I'll settle down when I
finish college next year.  I'm not ready to be tied down yet."

   Zack teased, "You say that now.  Wait until the right girl finds you. 
You aren't going to want to run around every Saturday night anymore.  Take
it from someone who has been there and done that.  I wouldn't trade married
life for anything."

   I asked, "How is Laurie?"

   "The rug rat?  She's great.  We left her with mom.  Mom loves it when we
get back home and she gets time with her granddaughter." Zack answered.  I
knew Zack was teasing when he called his 12 month old daughter a rug rat.
Laurie was daddy's little girl.  Zack doted on his first child.

   I asked Aaron, "How's Tania doing?"

   "She's doing well.  She complains that she feels like a whale.  She's
only seven months along.  I don't know what she will be like when our son
is due." Aaron married his four year girlfriend three years ago when the
two of them graduated from college.  Aaron added, "You'll see what it is
like Kyle someday."

   "Yes... Yes I will." I answered.  Zack, Chip and Aaron excused
themselves.  They went back to their seats.  I had ten minutes until the
ceremony.  My groomsmen left me to my thoughts.

   I thought back to that day four years ago when I left home, a callow
youth seeking glory on the football field and his place in this world.  I
lost and found love as I matured.  I was fortunate to finally find my life
mate.  I was fortunate too to have survived four years of craziness in
college.  I had changed so much since that day I crossed the Susquehanna on
the way to Penn State.

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

   The stadium loudspeakers blared, "TOUCHDOWN!  Number 87, Freshman Kyle
Martin of Paradise, Pennsylvania scores first for Penn State."

   The other announcer continued, "This is an auspicious debut for the
young man from Lancaster County.  This is the first time he has touched the
football on the field in Beaver Stadium."

   HONK!  HOONNKK!  I woke from my daydream.  The light was green!  I
quickly turned left off Park Avenue onto Bigler Road.  I snickered to
myself as I drove down University Drive.  That was a hell of a day dream.
Score a touchdown on your first touch of the ball when you start college.
Only in my dreams.

   I drove two blocks south and turned onto Pollock Road.  I pulled my red
VW Golf into the assigned parking lot.  My directions said I was to report
to Pollock Commons to check in and get my room key.  I sighed and gathered
up my housing information.  College was officially starting for me!

   I walked across the grass in the commons area.  Five of the ten dorms in
Pollock Halls faced the grass commons in front of Pollock Commons Center.
Pollock was going to be my dining hall, post office, and snack bar for the
next year of college.

   I walked in the double doors and down the hallway.  I passed the post
office when I saw a sign on the far wall.  It said "Freshmen Arrivals ==>"
I followed the sign.  I stopped at a door that said "Housing and
Residential Life".  I went inside.

   A young man, maybe in his early twenties said, "Full name please?"

   "Kyle David Martin"

   He scanned down a list.  "407 Hartranft Hall."

   I confirmed my room assignment.  He handed me the key to my room.  "Your
roommate, Mr.  Hunsecker, has checked in already Mr.  Martin.  Did you
contact him before you arrived?"

   "Yes.  Christian and I are friends from back home.  We requested that we
room together."

   "That's good.  Check in with your resident assistant when you get to
your floor.  Mr.  Klein is in room 419.  It is on the right when you get
off the elevator." the man said.  He handed me a map and a card.  "This is
your parking pass.  You can park here to unload.  You have a half hour to
unload.  Return your parking pass to me and move your car to the East
Parking Deck." He pointed at the parking lot beside the Pollock Library and
then to the big parking garage across from East Halls.  I knew where it
was. I had just passed it on the way in.

   I thanked the man and headed back out to my car.  I had turned a corner
in the hall when I heard a familiar voice.  "Kyle!" I looked up.  It was
Trevor Conwell and his parents.

   "Trevor!  It's good to see you." I declared.  I knew Trevor from my
state semi-final playoff game last fall.  Trevor's a big guy.  He goes
6'-3" and probably 240 pounds.  He plays defensive end.  I say I knew
Trevor from the state semi-final playoff game.  Actually my best friend
quarterback Ed Fritz knew Trevor much more intimately from that game. 
Trevor had sacked Ed three or four times and had at least a dozen hurries
in the game.  Of course Trevor's team advanced to the state championship
game and we went home.

   Trevor introduced me to his parents.  Mr.  Conwell thanked me for
letting Trevor stay at my house last spring when Trevor, my roommate
Christian Hunsecker and our friend Chip Brinton had attended the Blue and
White football game at the end of Penn State's spring practice.  My friend
and former high school teammate Zack Hayes invited us to come to a party
later that night.  Trevor and Chip had gotten a little drunk at the party.
I put them up at my house so Chip wouldn't hurt anyone trying to drive from
my house in Lancaster County down to Unionville, Chester County.

   I asked, "Where are you staying?"

   "I'm in Hartranft Hall, room 420.  How about you?" Christian asked.

   "I'm in 407 Hartranft."

   "I guess we'll see a lot of each other." Trevor added.  We shook hands
and headed our separate ways.

   I moved my VW down the road to the correct parking lot and headed for
Hartranft Hall.  Wheeled dollies were in the entranceway near the
elevators. I grabbed one and headed back to my car.  I loaded it up to
overflowing and carefully wheeled it back down the small hill to Hartranft
Hall.  I took the elevator up to the fourth floor.

   I pushed the dolly off the elevator.  I was barely out when someone
called out.  "Kyle.  Welcome to Penn State." I looked up.  It was Pete
Klein, the starting strong side linebacker on the football team.

   "You're the resident assistant?" I asked.

   "Guilty.  The pay is pretty decent and I get a private room." Pete
explained.  He pointed across the hall.  "You're in 407.  It's over there."
I saw the room number on the door.  It was located just to the left of the
elevators.  "Get your stuff moved in Kyle.  When you're done move your car
over to the East Parking Deck.  Meet me at my room, 419, at noon.  I am
going to take all the freshmen over to the dining hall for lunch.  We have
an orientation after lunch.  Any questions?"

   I didn't have any.  I pushed my dolly over to my new home and tried to
unlock the door.  "It's open Kyle." Christian called from inside our room.
I pushed the door open.  Christian was unloading things from boxes on the
floor into one of the two closets in our room.  Christian's parents,
Randall and Evelyn, were sitting on a bed.

   Mr.  Hunsecker asked, "Are your parents still downstairs Kyle?"

   "No.  I told them I could handle moving into the dorms on my own. 
They're back home."

   "Evelyn wouldn't allow Christian to do that.  We had to come up and see
that Christian is properly settled in." Mr.  Hunsecker explained. 
Christian, Mr.  and Mrs.  Hunsecker helped me move my first load of things
into our room.  I went downstairs and loaded the dolly with the rest of my
possessions.  I finished quickly with the Hunseckers' help.  All my things
were piled on the floor in the middle of the room.

   When everything was moved in Christian asked, "Which bed do you want?"

   The beds were on the right as you walked in the door to the room.  One
was along the hallway wall.  The other was along the right side wall of our
room.  One closet was on the left side of the room behind the door.  The
other closet was along the right wall against the outside wall of our room.
Two desks were placed along the left wall between the closet and the
outside wall.  The room had a large window that looked out onto the grassy
commons in the center of eight of the Pollock dorms.  We had a small
refrigerator and a microwave in the center of the room.

   I looked at the two beds.  Christian had already put some of his clothes
in the closet nearest to the door.  I pointed to the bed along the hallway
wall and suggested, "Why don't you take that one.  I'll take this bed." I
pointed at the bed along the side wall.

   "That's cool." Christian continued unpacking boxes.  Mr.  & Mrs. 
Hunsecker helped Christian.

   "I need to put my car in the parking garage.  I'll see you in a little
while." I said.  I took the parking pass back to Pollock Commons and then
drove my VW up the road to the East Parking Deck.  It took me eight minutes
to walk the couple blocks back to my dorm.  The campus map I had told me
that this was going to be a relatively short walk compared to some walks I
was going to take on campus.

   Mr.  and Mrs.  Hunsecker were getting ready to leave when I got back to
our room.  Mr.  Hunsecker said, "I'm so happy you are going to be
Christian's roommate Kyle."

   Mrs.  Hunsecker added, "Yes, I was concerned about what sort of person
Christian was going to associate with.  Your being an Eagle Scout makes me
comfortable with my boy going out into the world."

   I answered, "I think Christian and I will be a good match.  It will be
nice to have a friend while I get used to college."

   Mrs.  Hunsecker hugged Christian.  "I love you honey." She gave him a
kiss on the cheek.  Christian blushed.

   "You boys behave yourselves.  Listen to what the coaches tell you to do.
Study hard." Mr.  Hunsecker added.

   "Yes sir." Christian replied.

   "We'll do our best Mr.  Hunsecker." I added.

   Christian and I filled the fifteen minutes until lunch time by
continuing our unpacking.  We headed out to meet Pete Klein at 11:55. 
Christian and I ran into more players by the elevator.  Trevor Conwell
introduced us to his roommate, Anthony Kennedy.  Tony was a linebacker from
Tea Neck, New York.  He's a big African-American - maybe an inch shorter
than me, but much heavier.  It turned out that Damian Thompson was on our
floor in room 409.  He was rooming with Giancarlo "GJ" DeLuca.  GJ was
short - 5'-10".  He played cornerback.  Shawn Byrd, the cornerback who
visited Penn State last fall with Christian and me was rooming with Jason
Nicholson.

   I was surprised to see Jason here.  I asked, "What are you here for?  I
thought only freshmen had to report today."

   "Coach Burton insisted I come.  I'm considered a freshman even though
I've been here for a semester." Jason explained.  Jason had graduated from
his high school in Norfolk, Virginia a semester early.  He started classes
and practicing with the team last winter.

   Pete Klein led us downstairs and across the commons area (he called it
the quad) to Pollock Commons Dining Hall.  The eight of us followed Pete
upstairs.  He held his ID card up for the clerk at the door to scan.  He
handed a piece of paper to the clerk.  "These are my charges for the day."
He explained.  The clerk waved us through.

   Pete explained the dining hall operation as we went through the line. 
They had salads, sandwiches, wraps, pitas and hot entrées.  We loaded up
our trays and found an empty table.  Pete filled lunchtime with a briefing
about food services for us for the next few weeks.  We would get our meals
today and tomorrow before dinner here in this dining hall.

   When the rest of the team reported we would eat at the Nittany Lions
Training Table, another dining hall in the Pollock Commons.  We would eat
there until classes started in three weeks.  After that we were expected to
eat there for our dinners.  Breakfast and lunch would be at the regular
dining room.  The team nutritionist wanted to be able to keep tabs on what
we ate to keep us properly prepared for football.

   Pete introduced us to Cooper Barnes when he came in leading another
group of eight freshmen ball players.  Cooper was the starting kicker for
the team.  He's a tall guy - maybe 6'-1" but skinny.  Cooper's body
proportions were unusual - he has extremely long legs for his height.

   The last RA/team leader brought in six more freshmen a couple minutes
later.  Pete introduced him as Beaumont Cherry, the only Canadian on the
team.  Bo was a wide receiver like Christian and me.  He was 6'-2" with
pale skin and jet black hair.  He talked with a French accent.

   Pete, Bo and Coop took the group of twenty-two freshman across campus to
the security office.  We spent an hour there while security made up photo
ID cards for each of us.  They explained that these were our tickets to all
university services - dining halls, library services, health care, access
to the dorms, everything.  We had to wear them on a lanyard around our
necks so security could identify us as students at the university.

   The three RA's led our group of 22 freshmen back across campus to the
Lasch Football Center.  We had a 3 o'clock briefing with the coaches.  We
ended up in the team auditorium.  Coach Burton and two other coaches I
didn't recognize walked in at exactly 3 pm.

   Coach Burton started talking immediately.  "Welcome to the Pennsylvania
State University and the Nittany Lions Football team gentlemen.  I am
delighted to see all of you here.  I've recruited over half of you, met
with more and have spoken with all of you since you signed your letters of
intent.  You are joining the one of the top football teams in one of the
most challenging conferences in the nation.  Thanks to winning the national
championship last season, we will be the premier game on nearly every
team's schedule this season.  We have a big target on our backs gentlemen
and I am counting on all of you to help us defend our championship this
season.  I believe you are up to the task.

   "I want to introduce our team coordinators.  Almost all of you will be
working with one of these two men.  On my left is John Schroeder.  His name
is spelled with an `OE' but is pronounced as a long `A'.  Coach Schroeder
is the offensive coordinator.  On my right is Larry Czerwinski, our
defensive coordinator.  He usually known as Coach `C'." Both coaches waved
to us while Coach Burton continued talking.

   He talked about our schedule for the rest of August.  We would have two
a day practices with position meetings, film study and learning the
playbook to fill in the rest of our time six days a week.  We would have
Sundays to relax and recover from the week's exertions.

   Coach Burton continued his introduction.  "The next topic I want to
address is personal conduct.  Each of you represent the Nittany Lions, your
107 teammates, your coaches, the 85,000 students and facility at this
university and the 800,000 alumni of this university.  That is a weighty
responsibility.  You will be under a magnifying glass for the next four
years.  Every action you take will reflect on the Lions and our fans.

   "Each of you signed a letter of intent last winter.  This document is a
binding contract between you and the university.  It includes a conduct
detrimental to the team clause.  You void this contract if your conduct
harms the team's image or reputation.  I expect every team member to
conduct himself like the proverbial preacher's wife - totally proper and
above board in every way.  Improper conduct will bring you suspension from
games, suspension for a season, loss of you scholarship or dismissal from
the university.  I do not expect that I will need to use those discipline
measures.

   "One important concern I have is drugs.  All drugs you use -
prescription drugs, over the counter drugs or illegal drugs - must be taken
through the team's medical staff.  They need to know everything you use.  A
seemingly harmless over the counter cold remedy could have a NCAA banned
substance in it.  You put your scholarship, career and your team at risk.

   "All of you are eighteen or older.  You may legally smoke cigarettes or
cigars if you chose.  The team does not ban this.  I still strongly urge
you not to smoke.  This habit weakens your stamina.  Your job on our team
requires you to be in excellent physical condition.  Why would you want to
do something that will harm your ability to perform on the field?  I don't
know.  You can go to the Ritnour Center if you are a smoker.  They have
help for students who wish to quit smoking.

   "The next topic I want to discuss is alcohol.  I know each of you well
enough to know none of you is above the legal drinking age.  I don't expect
to hear about you gentlemen drinking, getting drunk or getting arrested for
underage drinking.  This would reflect badly on our program.  This could be
grounds for suspension or dismissal from the team.  Does anyone have any
questions about the alcohol policy?"

   No one spoke up.  Trevor, who was sitting beside me, elbowed me and
whispered, "Didn't you and I go to a team party last spring where they
happily let me drink as much beer as I wanted?"

   "Yes.  I remember.  Did you notice how Coach said he didn't want to hear
about it happening instead of he didn't want us drinking."

   "Yeah.  You're right."

   "I'm going to talk with Zack Hayes tomorrow and get the scoop on what we
can do.  I expected I'd be able to have a beer occasionally while I was
here." I answered.

   Coach Burton continued with his talk.  "The next topic I want to talk
about is sex." Coach was met with a lot of sniggers and a few cat calls.  A
couple guys called out.  "Yeah.  That's what we want."

   Coach Burton paused until the commotion died down a little.  "I'm sure
none of you would ever engage in pre-marital sex." Coach got some more
sniggers.  "Seriously, you need to be very careful if you choose to engage
in sex outside a committed relationship.  When the rest of the freshmen
class arrives in three weeks you will get a detailed talk about sexually
transmitted diseases, sexual harassment and date rape.  In the meantime I
want each of you to exercise care if you engage in sexual relations.  Make
damn sure that she really wants to do this.  No really does mean no.

   "Please use protection if you must engage in this behavior.  You can get
condoms from the Ritnour Health Center if you don't have any.  I recommend
that you refrain from sex for the next few weeks.  All of you are going to
need to focus all your energy and attention on preparing for the coming
football season.  During the season I want you to refrain from sex the
night before the game.  Get a good nights sleep so you are ready for peak
performance on game day."

   I glanced over at Christian on my right.  He was blushing.  I leaned to
him and whispered, "I guess Bev doesn't get any nookie on Friday nights."

   Christian's face turned a deeper shade of pink.  He whispered back, "No!
Certainly not."

   Coach Burton continued on.  "The last topic I wanted to talk about this
afternoon is the team playbook.  Each of you will be issued one when before
you leave today.  Study it.  The sooner you learn the plays the sooner you
have a chance to get on the field and contribute to the team.  The playbook
is property of the university.  You must safe guard it at all times.  You
are responsible if anything happens to your playbook.  God help you if you
lose it.  It is a confidential document and can't be shared with anyone
outside the team.

   "You gentlemen have free time this evening to finish getting settled in
your rooms.  Tomorrow you can relax while the remainder of the team moves
in.  We have a team dinner at the Training Table at 5:30 followed by a team
meeting at 6:30 here.  Does anyone have any questions?"

   No one did.  Coach Schroeder stood and called out.  "Offensive players
meet with me for your playbooks." Coach Czerwinski called the same thing
out for the defensive players.  Coach Burton called out, "Mitch, see me.  I
will get you your playbook." Mitch was easily the shortest guy in the room.
He was African-American and couldn't have been more than 5'-10" or 5'-11".
I thought to myself - kicker.  He has got to be a kicker.

   I waited my turn in the crowd of kids standing around Coach Schroeder.
One by one he handed huge blue notebooks out to each of us.  He recorded
the number on the notebook on a sheet of paper as he issued each one to a
player.  I stepped forward when he called, "Martin." I took my playbook. 
It had to be 4 or 5 inches thick.  It weighed at least twenty pounds.

   How in God's name am I going to learn all these plays?  Zack had warned
me that I was going to work hard, but my God!  Was it even possible to
learn all of this?  Christian seemed as shocked as me at his playbook.

   It was after 4 in the afternoon.  I followed the other freshmen as we
lugged our playbooks back to our dorm.  Jason was the only freshman who
wasn't bothered by the playbook.  That day his six month head start on
college seemed like a pretty smart idea.

   Christian and I went back to our room, sat back on our beds and started
browsing through the playbook.  Things were foreign to me from the first
page.  My high school team numbered the players along the line from left to
right.  When Drew McCormick ran between our left guard and the center he
hit the "23" hole.  Penn State numbered the gaps instead.  At Penn State it
was the 3 hole.  Everything was different - the names of the plays, the
line calls, the numbering scheme.  The only thing that didn't change was
the position names of the players; if you didn't include the "hero" who was
called a strong safety elsewhere.

   Christian asked, "Can you believe this Kyle?"

   "No.  It's going to take forever to understand this thing."

   Christian and I sat and began our studies.  After the initial shock wore
off I went to work understanding and memorizing the numbering scheme and
nomenclature.  I worked on it for about 45 minutes.  I was getting hungry.

   "Christian, are you ready for dinner?"

   "Yes." He sighed.  "I need a break from this." He dropped his playbook
on his bed with a thud.

   "I'll see if Damian, Jay and their roommates want to come too.  Why
don't you go across the hall and check in with Trevor." I suggested.

   "Sure thing." Christian answered.

   I went down the hall two doors and knocked.  "Damian, GJ.  Christian and
I are going to dinner.  Do you want to join us?"

   "Sure." "Sounds good." came from their room.

   I continued down to the end of the hall to Room 413.  "Jay, Shawn - are
you guys up for dinner.  Some of us are heading over to the dining hall
now. They assented enthusiastically.  The five of us met Christian, Trevor
and Tony at the elevator.  I realized we forgot Pete.  I knocked at his
door.  A bunch of us are going to dinner now.  Do you want to join us?"

   Pete cracked the door open.  He was half dressed.  He was in his
stocking feet in a dress shirt and slacks.  An untied tie hung from his
neck, his collar turned up.  "Sorry guys.  Thanks for the invite.  My girl
and I have a dinner date this evening."

   "Your girlfriend is here already?  I didn't think students reported for
three weeks."

   "Brenda is here for summer semester.  I haven't seen her since June.  We
have a big night planned." Pete explained.

   "I understand completely.  You two have fun tonight." I replied.

   We took the elevator down to the ground floor and walked over to the
dining hall.  It was spaghetti night.  We filled our trays and found an
empty table.  Our dinner conversation centered on our new playbook. 
Everyone was amazed at its size, except Jay.  He assured us we would learn
it soon enough if we worked on it.  He said he was over half way through
memorizing the book.  The rest of us were shocked.  Jay had been studying
the playbook for six months.  We got to know each other better over dinner.
The other guys seemed like they would be good friends.

   Some of the guys decided to take a walk around campus after dinner to
get their bearings.  Christian and I headed back to our room to finish
unpacking.  I was comfortably settled in by 7:30.  I set up my laptop.  The
directions Pete gave us were easy.  I was on-line in five minutes.  I
composed a quick e-mail to Penny and sent it off so she would know things
were going well for me so far.

   I went back to studying my playbook.  Christian assembled his computer
while I was reading.  Christian struggled with it for half an hour.  He
finally asked, "Do you know anything about computers?"

   "A little.  I'm not the expert in my family, but I can try to help you.
What's wrong?"

   "I've tried to follow the directions, but I can't get logged onto the
network.  It keeps giving me a `network not found' error." Christian
explained.

   I went over the directions Pete gave us earlier in the day.  I checked
all the settings but couldn't find anything wrong.  I spent about fifteen
minutes and wasn't able to get it working.

   "I guess I'll just wait until Monday and call for support people on
campus." Christian said.

   "No.  I have a better idea.  I can call tech support right now."

   "It's Saturday night.  They won't be working."

   "Trust me.  I can get us help with one phone call." I dialed home.  Dad
answered the phone.  "Hey Dad, it's Kyle." I explained how I was doing and
then asked him to put my sixteen year old brother Andy on.  Andy talked
Christian and me through the problem quickly.  I had assumed that
Christian's computer was set up to find an IP address automatically.  It
wasn't.  Andy explained where to find the DHCP settings.  I switched DHCP
on so it would get an IP address from the router.  It connected
immediately.

   I said, "Thanks for your help Andy." Christian chimed in, "Thanks Andy."

   I added, "Kiss Connor and Noah for me and tell them their Uncle Kyle
said good night." I hung up the phone.

   Christian looked confused.  "Uncle Kyle?  Who are Connor and Noah?"

   "Andy's boys."

   "Andy... has boys?  Isn't he uh... younger than you?" Christian asked.
He clearly was shocked at the thought of Andy being a father.

   "I guess I never thought to tell you before.  Andy got his girlfriend
pregnant last summer.  She gave birth to twins the night after my prom."

   "I can't believe your brother actually laid with a girl.  I guess he is
paying the price now for fornicating." Christian said.  I thought it was an
odd way of saying it, but I understood what he meant.

   "Andy's paying dearly for his mistake." I said.

   "I'm glad Bev and I don't have to worry about anything like that."

   "I know.  Penny and I are careful too.  I know she isn't going to be
getting pregnant anytime soon."

   I went back to studying the playbook.  Christian went on-line and sent
his girlfriend Beverly Umble an e-mail describing his day.  I was getting
antsy from sitting too much that day.  I felt a need to get back to my
normal training routine.  "I'm going to see if we can use the weight room
at the Lasch Building.  I haven't worked out in three days."

   "That's cool.  Do you think we're allowed to use it?" Christian asked.

   "I'll go talk to Pete.  I'm sure he'll know." I headed across the hall
to Pete's door.  I almost knocked when I heard a girl groan.

   "Ooooohhh... yesss...." she squealed.  I chuckled to myself.  Another
one of Coach Burton's recommendations bit the dust.

   I returned to the room.  Christian asked, "What did Pete say?"

   "I couldn't ask him.  He's entertaining his girlfriend." I explained.

   "He couldn't be.  Coach Burton said..." Christian was blushing again. 
My roommate certainly wasn't comfortable talking about sex.  "He's
really....  with a girl?"

   "I hope it is a girl... from the sounds they were making.  If it was a
guy..." Christian shuddered when I mentioned that.  I added, "I'm sure he's
with a girl."

   Christian pondered this for a moment.  He asked, "Maybe we could talk
with Jay.  He'll probably know if we can use the weight room."

   "Good idea." I answered.  We went down the hall and talked with Jay.  He
figured it would be OK.  Shawn and Jay decided to come along with us.  Jay
took us over to the Lasch Building.  I felt a little like a burglar.  The
building was nearly deserted.  Jay took us to the weight room.  It was
dark. Jay turned the lights on for us.  Christian, Shawn and I decided to
start with some curls.  Jay went further down the room to one of the weight
machines to work on his leg strength.  We had only worked a few minutes
when an older man dressed in a security uniform came in the room.  He
demanded, "You three - what are you doing in here?  This equipment is for
football team members only."

   I offered, "I'm..."

   Jay came across the room and said, "Joe... Joe, it's OK."

   "Oh... Mr.  Nicholson.  These gentlemen are with you?"

   "They are Joe.  This is Kyle Martin." I waved.  "Christian Hunsecker."
Christian stood and nodded to the guard.  "Shawn Byrd - my new roommate."
Shawn smiled and nodded his head to the guard.

   Jay explained, "We've been studying the playbook for half the night.  We
needed some physical activity."

   "That's fine.  You men make sure you turn out the lights when you are
finished tonight." Joe said.  He turned and left the weight room.

   Jay explained, "That's Joe Anders.  He is one of the night security
guards.  He's a good guy.  When he gets to know you better he might share
some of his wife's cookies with you.  You want to be on Joe's good side."

   Christian, Shawn and I worked the free weights for awhile.  Jay
eventually showed us how to use the weight machines.  I could see
immediately that they would give me a good work out.  If only our high
school team had equipment like this.  Who knows how many state
championships we could have won?

   I suggested we go for a run when we were done in the weight room.  The
other guys agreed.  Jay led us around his preferred route on campus.  It
felt like a couple miles.  It wasn't up to my usual run, but it felt good.

   I went straight over and showered when we got back to our room. 
Christian grabbed another shower stall in the bathroom a few minutes later.
It had been a long day.  I changed into a clean pair of boxers and lay down
on my bed.  I grabbed my MP3 player and turned on my tunes.  Christian
returned a couple minutes later.

   Christian asked, "I'm going to read a little before bed.  Is that OK
Kyle?"

   I glanced at the clock.  It was a quarter to ten.  It had been a very
long day since Penny woke me up at 6:30 in the morning.  "Sure, that's
fine."

   Christian pulled his Bible off the bolster beside his bed.  He flipped
it open to somewhere in the New Testament and started to read.  He closed
the Bible after about fifteen minutes.  Christian asked, "Did you happen to
check when church services are tomorrow?"

   "No." I answered.  I really hadn't planned to go.  I would have liked to
sleep late in the morning and be a little bit of a heathen instead.  I
decided I'd be sociable and go after all.  Christian looked through the
student orientation papers we received in the morning.

   "Catholic Mass is a 9 o'clock, Lutheran services are a 10 and general
Protestant services are at 11.  Which would you go to?"

   "I'm Presbyterian - I guess the general Protestant service."

   "Me too.  I'm a Mennonite."

   "Are you?  I didn't know that." I answered.  Christian nodded yes.  "My
Grandpa and Grandma Martin were raised as Mennonites.  They chose not to
join the church."

   "I understand.  That isn't unusual." Christian said.  He reached up and
flicked off the light switch beside his bed.  "Good night Kyle."

   I thought about everything that had happened to me that day.  I woke up
in the morning cuddled against my girlfriend.  Now I was 120 miles away
from home sleeping in a strange bed.  My comfortable life as a boy was
over. It was time to grow up.  I fell asleep listening to my music. 
Fortunately my MP3 player had sleep mode.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------------

   I woke with a start to the sound of an alarm clock buzzing.  I stared at
my clock with bleary eyes.  It said 7:01!  I rolled back over and tried to
ignore Christian.  He tried to be quiet but it didn't help.  I heard every
little noise he made and it annoyed the hell out of me.  He finally went
across the hall to the bathroom.  I couldn't fall back to sleep even with
silence.  My body was still on summer camp time.  I should be up and over
at the pool life guarding by now.

   I tossed and turned for fifteen minutes while Christian was out of the
room.  He came back, turned on his desk light and read quietly.  I tried
for almost an hour to fall asleep again.  I just couldn't.  I gave up and
climbed out of bed.

   Christian greeted me with a cheery "Good morning Kyle."

   "Mmmmph....  Yeah." I grunted in response.  I'm definitely not a morning
person.  I gathered up my shower things and went down the hall to the
bathroom.  I took my shower and did my other morning duties.  Christian had
the curtain open on our big window and had the lights on when I returned. I
dressed.

   When I had my clothes on Christian asked, "You ready for breakfast?"

   "I guess."

   "Do you think we should see if the other guys want to join us?"

   "No.  Sunday morning is quiet time.  We should just go.  They'll be all
right without us." I suggested.

   Christian and I found the dining hall was nearly deserted.  There were
eight kids in the whole room.  We went through the line and got eggs,
bacon, home fries and fruit.  Christian spotted GJ DeLuca sitting by
himself.  We joined him.

   "Good morning." Christian said.

   "Good morning GJ." I added.

   "Hi guys." He answered.  "Can you believe my sleepy head roommate is
still in bed?"

   I replied, "Imagine that." I thought Damian showed very good judgment. I
kept that thought to myself.  We sat down and started our breakfast.  We
talked a little with GJ, comparing notes about each other's backgrounds. 
GJ was from Pittsburgh.  He played cornerback.  He finished his breakfast
before Christian and I were done.

   GJ explained, "Please excuse me guys.  I have to get going.  Mass is in
fifteen minutes."

   Christian said, "See you later." Christian and I finished breakfast. 
Christian headed back to our room.  I wandered around Pollock Commons
looking for a place to get a newspaper.  I found a box with the New York
Times.  I picked up a copy and headed back to the room.  I spent the
morning reading the paper while I waited for the church service.

   Christian and I needed the campus map to find the Chapel.  We waited
outside a few minutes until the Lutherans were done with their service.  I
noticed it was named the Eisenhower Chapel, in honor of past university
president Milton Eisenhower.  He was General and later President
Eisenhower's younger brother.  The chapel was half full for the service. 
The minister, Pastor Maxwell, had a good sermon.  I was kind of glad
Christian dragged me to the service by the time we sang the final hymn.

   We headed back to our room, changed into shorts and T-shirts and went
searching for any of the other football players on our floor.  All of them
were gone.  We decided to head to over to Pollock for lunch.

   We bumped into Tyler Madden moving his things in when we went for the
elevator.  I remembered him from Zack's party last spring.  I had talked
with him a little bit then.  Tyler greeted us politely and excused himself.
He had to hurry up and get his car unloaded before the security patrol
ticketed his car for parking too long in the lot beside Mifflin Hall.

   We caught up with our new friends after we went through the brunch line.
Christian and I joined them at their table.  Most of us headed back to our
rooms when we finished lunch.  About the only thing we had to do was study
our playbooks.  I studied for a couple hours and then went over to the
Lasch Building for my daily workout.

   I bumped into Aaron Morano and Jacob Washington at the weight room. 
Aaron greeted me warmly.  He told me Zack wasn't here yet.  He had been
delayed on Sunday morning.  I left my phone number with Aaron and told him
to have Zack give me a call when he got to campus.  I went running when I
finished lifting.  I grabbed a shower and dressed up a little for our team
dinner.

   Pete took all or us from our floor over together to the Training Table
dining room in Pollock for dinner.  We went through the line for our food
and found a table.  We eight freshmen from 4th floor Hartranft sat
together. Pete Klein split to sit with his friends.

   My new friends and I gawked around the room, spotting some of the team's
stars.  Football players continued pouring into the room.  The coaches sat
at a table at one end of the dining room.

   Zack Hayes, Aaron Morano, Evan Foster and Jacob Washington came in. 
Zack waved to me as he waited in line for his dinner.  The four roommates
stopped by my table when they had their food.

   Zack said, "It's good to see you here Kyle.  Are you ready for some
football?"

   "I guess Zack.  We'll see soon."

   "You'll do well Kyle.  Work hard.  Study your playbook.  Remember what I
told you about attitude." Zack said.

   "I'm just here to learn and help any way I can." I answered, quoting
Zack's advice to me every time we talked about me coming to Penn State.

   "Good.  We can get together tonight after things are done." Zack said.

   "Sounds good Zack." I answered.  Zack, Aaron and their friends headed
off for another table.

   GJ DeLuca asked, "He's the starting quarterback on our team.  Why'd he
come to talk with you?"

   I explained to GJ and Tony about how Zack had recruited me to play high
school football four years ago, had coached me, drilled me and helped me
learn to play.  He had recruited me for the past two years to follow him to
Penn State.  The rest of the guys at our table already knew about my
friendship with Zack.

   When I finished explaining our relationship, Tony said, "You're lucky
Kyle.  I'd love to have someone like him to help me prepare for this."

   "I know.  I've been blessed with a great friend.  I owe my scholarship
to Zack." I answered.

   We went back to our dinner.  I took my tray over to the clean up staff
when I finished and sat back down with my friends.  I knew all of us were
going over to the auditorium in the Lasch Building when we were done with
dinner.

   I looked over the room.  I was amazed at the number of players on our
team.  I knew in my head that we had 108 players.  I was still shocked to
see this many people in one place and all members of the same football
team. Would I ever make way to the top of the depth chart and actually
play?

   These guys were bigger than I expected.  Back home I was the tallest guy
on our team.  Even though I was a wide receiver, by the time I was a senior
most of the players on the team were lighter than me.  I'm 6'-4 ½" inches,
but I'm still probably only average in height in this group.  Two thirds of
the team members outweighed me.  This was going to be a lot tougher than I
realized before.

   One other thing was going to be very different about this experience.  I
grew up in the center of Lancaster County.  The area was settled by German
farmers 250-300 years ago.  We had six families of African-Americans in our
school.  Two of my high school teammates were African-American.  My parents
always taught me to be understanding of the differences between people.  I
liked to believe I wasn't bigoted, but how would I know if I was?  I had so
little experience dealing with them.  The team was roughly 50%
African-American.  I was going to find out if I was as tolerant of others
as I thought I was.

   Antwaan Booker and Aaron Morano interrupted my daydreaming.  They got
the group's attention and asked for silence.  Antwaan announced, "We have
some scrubs in our presence.  They think they deserve to wear the Blue and
White."

   Aaron continued, "I think they need to earn the right.  What do the rest
of you think?" Everyone cheered and called out their approval, except us
freshmen.  We knew who they were talking about.  Aaron and Antwaan headed
straight for my table.

   Aaron looked at me and demanded, "Who is Beaver Stadium named for?"

   I was in luck, I knew this one.  "Colonel James Beaver, commander of the
148th Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Civil War." Aaron smiled at me.

   Antwaan tapped Christian on the shoulder.  "Who is Pattee Library named
for?"

   Christian stammered, "Uh... um... Mr.  Pattee?"

   Antwaan demanded, "Any body?" No one at our table knew.  "These scrubs
don't have a clue.  Who was the Pattee Library named for Aaron?"

   "Long time Professor of American Literature Fred Lewis Pattee."

   Antwaan said, "Right you are.  What is Professor Pattee's other claim to
fame Aaron?"

   "He wrote the Pennsylvania State University's Alma Mater."

   Antwaan grinned.  "It's a lovely song.  Wouldn't you guys like to hear
it?" The crowd in the dining hall cheered.  "Scrubs, get up front.  I want
to hear the alma mater."

   The freshmen headed to the front of the room.  We glanced around and
stared at each other.  We whispered to each other, "You know it?" No one
did.

   Aaron spotted Jay still sitting at our table laughing at us. 
"NICHOLSON! You're a freshman too.  Get up there with the other scrubs.  I
want hear the song.  NOW!"

   Jay hurried up and joined our group.  He stood out front and said,
"Follow along with me guys." He sang weakly and probably out of tune.

   "I do not know the words

   to this song.  I have no

   idea what they are.

   Something, something, something."

   The rest of us tried to follow his lead.  Our teammates cracked up. 
Antwaan stepped forward and demanded.  "What the hell was that?"

   Jay explained, "It's the only words I learned."

   Aaron said, "That was dreadful.  Before you guys even think of touching
a Nittany Lion uniform you better learn this.  No dinner until you learn
the alma mater.  Is that clear?"

   All of us agreed quickly.  We slinked back to our seats to the laughter
of our older teammates.  Coach Burton stepped to the front and announced.
"Clear the tables gentlemen.  We had our entertainment for this evening. 
Head over to the auditorium.  The team meeting starts in ten minutes."

   The dining room cleared rapidly.  I followed the crowd heading down
Hasting Road to the Lasch Building.  We filed into the team auditorium and
found seats.  The coaches took seats along the front wall of the room. 
Coach Burton stepped to the lectern in the center of the room and motioned
for quiet.  Coach Burton nodded and Coach Schroeder turned down the lights.


   The projector showed a clip of Phil DiStefano tossing a touchdown pass
to Glenn Walker.  The lights came back up when the clip was done.

   Coach Burton said, "Gentlemen, that was fun last winter wasn't it?" The
older team members cheered the pictures from their victory over Kentucky
last January to win the national championship.  "Look around the room. 
Seventeen seniors graduated or moved on.  Three juniors and two sophomores
have left.  We added twenty-two freshmen.  We have a new head coach, a new
offensive coordinator and a new defensive coordinator.

   "Last year's team was the national champions.  We aren't that team
anymore.  We haven't won any games.  What is worse, that team has made our
work dramatically harder.  Every team that we play has looked at the
schedule and circled the day we play them in red.  They will be up for a
game against us.  This is their chance to redeem themselves by beating on
the national champions.

   "We are going to have to work twice as hard just to have a chance to
match last year's record.  I believe we have the ingredients here to be an
excellent team again this year but we have a huge amount of work to do in
the next month to be ready.  I look forward to working with each of you to
make this team the best around.

   "I'm sure most of you are wondering if I am ready to take Coach Paterno
place.  Coach Paterno has promised to help me as I need it.  Coach Paterno
also promised to stop in and yell at a few of you just for old times sake.
Coach Paterno will also continue to be associated with our team.  He has
agreed to oversee the academic support staff for our team.  You guys know
what that means.  He is going to be on your cases until you have the best
grades in the Big Ten.  Remember as student-athletes you are students first
and athletes second.

   "I want all of you to remember that you have responsibilities to the
football team - study, preparations, practices, and conditioning.  All of
you need to balance your academic work with your athletics."

   The lights dimmed again.  A clip of Aaron Morano intercepting a Kentucky
pass in the championship game flashed up on the screen.  It was followed by
a clip of Cuch, (Dominic Cuchiella, who played Hero for the team)
intercepting a wayward pass in the same game.  The final clip was of Zack
throwing the touchdown last season against USC.  The lights came back up.

   Coach Burton said, "I believe we have the ingredients here to be a very
good team.  It's going to take hard work, dedication and study to turn us
into that team." The team cheered our coach's speech.

   This sounded like the end of the meeting.  Hah!  Coach Burton continued
on discussing the team's policies on drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and personal
conduct.  Coach Burton also reminded us that we were subject to random drug
tests at any time in the school year.  He reviewed our schedule for the
next three weeks.  He discussed our playbooks, the study time he expected
and described all the mental preparations we would need to be members of
this team.  The meeting seemed to drag on forever.  It was after 9 o'clock
when he finally finished.

   The team filed out of the auditorium and headed back to our dorms after
that.  Christian and I headed back down Hasting Road towards our dorm
behind Zack and Aaron.  They noticed us following them as they turned the
corner at Hastings, Bigler and McKean Roads.  Zack asked, "Hey, we're
having a few friends over to hang out this evening.  You guys want stop
by?"

   "Sure Zack.  That sounds cool." I replied.

   Zack asked, "Christian?"

   "No thanks.  I'll pass.  I want to get a good night's sleep before
tomorrow." Christian answered.

   "I'll see you later Christian." He headed back to our dorm.  I followed
Aaron and Zack along McKean Road past Nittany Hall to the second group of
two story apartments.  I followed them up to the front door of #7.  I
followed my friends inside.  Zack and Aaron had a four person townhouse
apartment this year.  Evan Foster was already here with a couple players I
hadn't met yet.

   Evan introduced me to Colin O'Shea and Anders Voight.  Colin was a
sophomore from York, Pa.  who played quarterback.  Anders was a wide
receiver like me.  He was a junior.  We found seats in the living room. 
Aaron grabbed some beers from the kitchen and asked, "Anyone thirsty?"

   We all took one.  Jacob Washington and Antwaan Booker came in as we got
settled.  Aaron produced a couple more beers.  Antwaan stared at the big
pile of boxes by the stairs.  "What the hell is this Hayes?"

   "My stuff.  I didn't have much time to move in this afternoon." Zack
explained.

   "What in the heck were you doing?" Aaron asked.  He turned to us.  "This
guy showed up twenty minutes before dinner tonight.  What were you doing
all day Zack?"

   "Uh... actually it was what I was doing all night." Zack chuckled.  "I
had a date with an old friend from high school."

   Aaron grinned, "How does a date last night translate to you showing up
here at 5:10 in the afternoon?"

   "Well, Jessie and I did a little more than go out last night.  We did
dinner and a movie.  It was fun.  She told me after the movie that her
parents were away for the weekend.  She used to be a cheer leader.  She's
still a knock out.  You guys know how it is.  I ended up spending the night
with her."

   I asked, "Jessie?  A cheerleader?  Are you talking about Jessie
Hamilton?"

   "Yeah.  That's right.  You know her too?" Zack answered.

   "Know her?  Hell she almost got my virginity when I was a freshman."

   Colin seemed interested in the course of our conversation.  He asked,
"Almost?"

   "I didn't have a condom.  She settled for teaching me about cunnilingus.
The two of us managed to get together later.  She is one hot babe." I said.

   Zack continued his story.  "Jessie is insatiable.  She boffed my brains
out last night.  We didn't get to sleep until 2 am.  She wanted me again
this morning - twice.  I didn't get home until 11:30."

   Aaron asked, "Why did it take you five and a half hours to get here?"

   "I hadn't packed yesterday.  I needed to do that before I came up here."

   "You're something else, you know that?  When are you going to stop
bedding girls and settle down with a serious relationship?" Aaron asked.

   "I can't afford the time now.  I've got to get ready to be the starting
QB.  I don't have time for a relationship." Zack explained.

   I laughed.  "You haven't changed at all in the past four years Zack. 
Then you couldn't make time for a girlfriend because you wanted to play
well enough to get in a good college.  Now you don't have time for a
girlfriend because you need to get ready to start.  What will it be next
year?  I don't have time, I want to get ready for a career in the NFL. 
Then what?  Prepare to be a starter?"

   "Listen to your young friend.  He's got the right idea.  Life is the
journey.  It isn't a destination.  You need to share your life with
someone." Aaron said.

   "Yeah - right.  You've been stuck with the same girl since we were
freshmen." Zack teased.

   "Not stuck.  We love each other." Aaron replied.

   "I suppose you two are going to tie the knot someday."

   Aaron smiled.  "We may do that.  We've talked about it."

   Zack answered, "You have your way.  I have mine."

   The conversation turned to football.  The guys talked about the
championship season.  Then they started telling JoePa stories.  Zack
brought more beers around for all of us.  They talked about the times they
got chewed out by Coach Paterno for one screw-up or another.

   After Zack told a story about Coach Paterno chewing him out after one
interception I asked, "This sounds so weird.  It doesn't sound like the
Coach Paterno that I've met.  He seems like such a nice guy."

   Everyone else laughed at my comment.  Antwaan said, "You aren't a
recruit anymore.  The coaches don't need to be nice.  You're signed. 
Expect them to chew your ass off if you make a mistake, even a little one."
The rest of the group nodded and confirmed Antwaan's observation.

   All the guys told stories of Coach Paterno chewing them out at various
times.  Zack told about his experiences his first year, using his
faux-JoePa voice.  "Hayes, what the hell was that?" "Hayes, you're killing
me!" "Hayes, that's the dumbest thing I've ever seen!" "Hayes, you throw
the ball to the guys with the blue shirts!"

   Aaron confirmed, "The accent's off but it was like that our first year."

   Zack added, "Joe's a demanding SOB, but that's a good thing.  He pushed
us to be the best."

   Colin asked, `Do you think Coach Burton can do that for us?"

   Zack said, "I hope so.  Coach Burton has always been the nice guy who
came in to smooth things over after Coach Paterno chewed your ass off.  I
hope he can be a hard nosed SOB too."

   We all agreed that we would need that this season.  It was nearly
eleven. Our little party broke up.  I headed back to my dorm room.

   The room was dark and Christian was sleeping already.  I stripped down
and was ready to climb into bed when I remembered.  I hadn't written Penny
that day.  I turned on my desk light and fired up my laptop.  I read
through Penny's e-mail to me.  I started writing her.

   Christian snapped at me.  "Go to bed Kyle.  I need to sleep."

   "Sorry.  I need to write Penny today.  I promised her I'd write every
day.  I'll be quick." Christian grumbled but didn't say anything else.  I
wrote my lover a quick note about my day and how much I missed her.  I
turned everything off and climbed in bed.

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

   Bzzzt....  Bzzzt....  I glanced up at my cock.  It was 6:45 in the
morning!  I groaned.  Christian reached up and turned his alarm off. 
"Jesus!  Why so early?  We don't have practice until 9 am." I grumbled.

   "I need time to learn the alma mater.  I don't think we'll have any free
time after practice gets done and before dinner." Christian answered.  He
paused for a second and added, "Please don't take the Lord's name in vain."


   "Sorry" I answered.  I wasn't used to censoring my language around guys
my age.  Christian headed over to the bathroom.

   I tried to go back to sleep.  Not too successfully.  Christian came back
fifteen minutes later.  He tried to be quiet, but every sound he made
annoyed me.  He dressed and then fired up his computer.  It took Christian
about ten minutes to find what he was looking for.  Christian's computer
quietly played it.

   I listened to Christian play it three times.  We could learn this song
before dinner.  I gave up on sleeping any more and got up.  I went over to
Christian's desk and leaned over his shoulder.

   "I'm printing out the words for everyone.  I don't know how we're going
to learn the tune though." Christian said.

   "How did you get it to play the song before?"

   "I clicked here." Christian answered.  I took the mouse and hovered over
the link.  I saw it was a WAV file.

   "We can download it to my MP3 player and pass it around today so the
other guys can learn it too." I suggested.  I dressed and then downloaded
the file to my player.

   We were ready to leave our room for breakfast when Christian nudged my
dirty clothes from yesterday.  I had left them on the floor by my bed last
night.  "You going to leave these here?" he asked.

   "Oh, sorry." I gathered them up and threw them in my laundry bag in my
closet.  Christian and I headed over to the Training Table dining hall for
breakfast.  The place was nearly deserted.  We grabbed breakfast and sat
down with GJ DeLuca.  Team members straggled in one or two at a time.  By
the time we finished eating most of the players arrived.  I stopped by Pete
Klein's table on the way out.

   "Hey Pete.  Are we supposed to have Penn State shirts and shorts today?
I don't have any." I asked.

   "Relax Kyle.  Wear whatever you have.  The equipment people will be
issuing you everything you need this morning.  Make sure you are at the
practice field BEFORE nine."

   "Got it Pete." I said.  I joined Christian and GJ.  They had been
passing copies of the alma mater out to the other freshmen.  Shawn Byrd,
Elijah Berks and Mitchell Jackson already had found the song on-line too.
Elijah was an offensive tackle from New Oxford, Pa.  Mitch was a punter
from Rochester, Pa.  They had memorized it already.

   Christian, GJ and I headed back to our dorm rooms to get ready for
practice.  I loaded my playbook, a water bottle, and my MP3 player in my
daypack.  We got to the practice fields beside Lasch and Holuba about ten
minutes before nine o'clock.  Christian and I were pleased to see that
almost all of the older players brought their playbooks too.  A few of the
freshmen left them back in their rooms.

   One practice field ran east-west from Lasch towards University Drive. 
The other two field ran north-south from the first field towards Holuba
Hall.  The fields were in excellent condition.  It was going to be a
pleasure to practice here.

   The older players all dressed in Penn State shorts and shorts.  The
clothes looked pretty beat.  They definitely were left over from last year.
The freshmen wore an odd assortment of shirts and shorts.  Mine and
Christian's were scout trip T-shirts.  A lot of the other guys wore things
from their high school football teams.

   The old shirts on the upper classmen also revealed things about their
owners last year.  More than a few of their owners had bulked up in the
past year.  The most noticeable was Tyler Madden.  During my official visit
last fall Coach Paterno had teased Tyler when we were in the chow line
behind him that he needed to eat more so he was ready to tackle the Ohio
State running backs.

   Tyler's shirt was stretched tight over his well developed muscles.  He
wasn't going to have any problem tackling a running back this year.  I
needed to make sure I didn't give him a good target on the field when we
practiced.  I didn't want him to get a clean shot at me.  He looked like he
would hit like a Mack truck when he tackled you.

   The coaching staff appeared out of Lasch Football Center two minutes
before nine, Coach Burton in the lead.  The players waited expectantly for
directions.  Coach Burton glanced at his watch.  At exactly nine o'clock he
whistled and called all the players together.

   Coach Burton had just started his welcoming pep talk when he spotted two
players hurry out the side door of the Lasch Building and hurry for the
huddle of players.  Coach glanced at his watch and yelled, "Zizka!  Rosen!
What time do your watches say?"

   The bigger of the two guys was probably 6'-2", 240 pounds.  He looked
like a linebacker.  "Sorry coach.  Max and I thought we were meeting in the
auditorium this morning."

   Coach Burton continued staring at the two offenders.  "What time is it?"

   "Two minutes after nine." Ziska replied.

   "What does that mean?"

   "Laps?" Ziska asked.  Coach Burton nodded yes.

   Rosen said, "Let's go Karol." The two guys started their laps around the
three fields.

   I nudged Zack and whispered, "It doesn't seem like Coach Burton is going
to be too easy going."

   "We'll see.  The Hungarian Twins pull this shit all the time." Zack
whispered back just as Coach Burton started on his pep talk again.

   "What?" I asked.

   "I'll explain when we take a break later." Zack answered.  We turned our
attention to Coach Burton.  The Hungarian Twins had finished their ten laps
as Coach Burton finished talking.  He had the team line up.  We did some
stretching exercises followed by calisthenics to warm up.

   We spent about forty-five minutes warming up.  The coach broke the team
up into five groups and sent us around the complex for equipment pickup, 40
yard run, 1 mile run, weigh-in & measurements and conditioning evaluation.
This part of the morning was similar to what we did back at high school.

   I ended up in a group with Zack Hayes and Trevor Conwell.  Our group was
doing the conditioning tests first.  Zack explained about the Hungarian
Twins comment from earlier in the morning.  Maximilian "Max" Rosen was born
in Hungary.  His parents immigrated to the United States soon after he was
born after the Iron Curtain collapsed.  He was a sophomore and a wide
receiver like me.  Karol Zizka's grandparents fled Hungary during the
revolt in 1956.  His grandparents and parents were very traditional.  They
indoctrinated Karol in his heritage.  Max and Karol hit it off last year as
soon as they met.  Karol was a year ahead of Max - he was a junior.

   Pete Klein was leading our group.  He introduced us to Paul Collins, the
Conditioning Coordinator for our team.  He and his staff were there to help
us get in physical condition to play Big Ten football.  He tested each of
us for strength, agility and flexibility.  Mr.  Collins spoke with each
player briefly, except for the freshmen in our group.  He took about five
minutes with each of us.

   Mr.  Collins had me describe the exercise program I had been following
in the past.  He didn't tell me it was a bad program, but I could tell from
his face that my training was going to change significantly.  He told me we
would get together later in the week to work on my training program.

   Pete took our group to the locker room next.  Pete introduced us to
Larry Fitzgerald, the equipment manager for the team.  Mr.  Fitzgerald was
older, probably approaching sixty.  He was average height, bald with an
unruly ring of white hair around his head.  He took a look at us, grinned
and asked, "What'd you bring me Pete?"

   "More fodder for the Big Ten." Pete answered.

   Most of the guys grinned and called out "Hey Larry." "How's it going
Larry?" "Good to see you Larry."

   Mr.  Fitzgerald issued T-shirts, shorts, jock straps, a cup, socks and
towels to each of us.  He told us, "You gentlemen, look around the locker
room and find your locker.  You can put your gear there.  Freshmen, come
see me.  I need to get you a uniform number."

   I looked around the room, finally finding my locker half way down the
long wall.  A taped sign said, "Kyle Martin WR".  I piled my things there
and headed back to talk with Mr.  Fitzgerald.

   "What's your name son?" he asked with a smile when I reached him.

   "Kyle Martin."

   He scanned a list.  "Wide Receiver.  What number did you have in high
school?  Do you want it again?"

   "Number 87 and yes, I'd love to have it again Mr.  Fitzgerald."

   "Call me Larry.  May I call you Kyle?" he asked.

   "Sure Mr.  uh... Larry." I answered.

   "I'm sorry Kyle.  Derek Whitaker already has that number.  Any other
choices?"

   I thought about Greg Harrison, my high school teammate killed sixteen
months earlier by a drunk driver.  Greg had a scholarship offer for Boston
College but had died before he could use it.  I decided it would be an
appropriate way to honor my friend by wearing his number in college.  "How
about 82?"

   "I'm sorry Kyle.  One of the other freshmen took that number a couple
minutes ago." Larry explained.

   "Oh... Who?"

   "Christian Hunsecker.  Maybe you could talk to him and work something
out.  Do you know him?"

   "Christian is my roommate.  I forgot he wore 82 in high school.  Is 85
available?"

   "Yes it is Kyle.  Shall I put you down as Number 85?" Larry asked.

   "That will be fine." I answered.

   "You know Derek is a senior.  You could probably get Number 87 in the
spring after he leaves the team."

   "Thanks Larry.  That would be great."

   Pete took our group outside.  We ended up with Coach Burton, Coach
Schroeder and Coach "C".  They were timing each player on the 40 yard dash.
We hung out 40 yards downfield of the coaches, waiting for our turn.  I
loosened up and tried to stay relaxed.  I meditated a little like Coach
Powell, my high school track coach, taught me.

   Finally it was my turn.  I got set as Coach Schroeder yelled, "On your
mark... Get set...." I crouched, visualizing myself sprinting down the
field.  "GO!" I exploded forward, leaning my whole body forward.  My legs
kicked hard as I pumped my arms, elbows swinging high.  I increased my
stride as I reached full speed ten yards down the field.  I continued
driving myself forward, arms pumping.  I pushed myself harder, striving to
show my coaches that they recruited the right guy.  I pushed hard past the
forty yard line and slowed to a walk.

   I turned and looked back at the coaches.  The three of them were huddled
together staring at the stop watch.  All three of them had big smiles.  I
had done well.  I walked back to the cluster and asked, "How was my time?"

   Coach Burton looked up at me and smiled.  "It was a good time.  Have you
ever done 4.30 before?"

   I stared at Coach Burton.  "4.30 seconds?  No - I've never run that
fast."

   "This time is almost a tenth of a second faster than what you showed us
last fall.  Can you explain it?"

   "The only thing I can think of is the help my high school track coach
gave me last spring.  He worked with me to help me increase my
explosiveness at the start." I explained.

   "What ever it was, it certainly worked for you."

   "Did anyone run faster than me?"

   Coach Burton answered, "Not yet.  I haven't timed Aaron Morano or Leslie
Jones yet.  They usually post the best times on the team."

   "Thanks coach."

   I waited with the rest of our group while they finished their 40 yards
runs.  Pete took us to the one mile run after that.  My time was average
for the distance run - 4:51.  Most of the juniors and seniors in our group
beat my time.  I thought I had trained hard in the past.  I guess I'll be
working harder now that I'm in college.

   Pete took us back inside for the final two stations.  I matched my 43
inch vertical leap from last year.  No one in our group was close to my
mark.  The final station was weigh-in and measurements.  I was still 6'-4
½" tall and weighed 196 pounds.

   The team went back to the Training Table for lunch when everyone was
done with the stations.  Jay, Christian and I gathered all the freshmen
together to review and practice the alma mater so we would be ready for
dinnertime.

   All offensive players met with Coach Schroeder and his assistants after
lunch to begin reviewing the playbook and preparing for our first game.  It
was only 26 days away.  The team went back outside later in the afternoon
for 90 minutes of agility and conditioning drills.

   I pulled out my MP3 player during one of the water breaks during the
afternoon practice to let the other guys listen to the recording we had of
the Penn State Glee Club singing the alma mater.  I was sharing one of my
ear buds with Brendan Hayden, a linebacker from Mechanicsburg, Pa.  when
the two of us drew unwanted attention.

   Coach Burton spotted us.  "MARTIN!  HAYDEN!  Are our practices too
boring for you two?  Do you need some music to occupy your attention?"

   Brendan returned the ear bud instantly.  I was left standing there
holding my MP3 player.  "No sir.  The practices are fine.  We were getting
ready for dinner.  I have a recording of the alma mater on here.  We were
learning it." I explained.

   "I'll accept that answer today.  I normally do not tolerate electronics
on the practice field." Coach Burton explained.

   "Sorry.  I won't let it happen again." I put my player back in my
daypack.

   Coach Burton didn't seem too upset when he realized what we were doing
but I didn't want to do anything to get on his bad side.  Coach Burton was
going to get 110% of my attention from here on out.

   The drills were over around 4 pm.  Christian and I headed back to our
dorm room for showers before dinner.  I hadn't thought to bring shampoo and
soap this morning to get a shower at the locker room.  I was going to need
to remember that for tomorrow.

   The team dinner was scheduled for 6 pm.  I used my spare time before
dinner to send Penny an e-mail.  Christian, Jay, Damian, GJ, Trevor, Shawn,
Tony and I got together in Jay and Shawn's room at a quarter to six and
practiced singing.  We didn't sound like the glee club, but we at least had
the words down and sort of had the tune (to my tone-deaf ears).

   The eight of us headed over to the Training Table together.  No one paid
much attention to us when we went in the dining room.  We joined the line
and hoped the rest of the team had forgotten about our assignment.  We made
it to the head of the line before we were caught.

   Antwaan Booker spotted us.  "Hold on scrubby freshmen.  I don't think
you're having dinner tonight.  I haven't heard any singing."

   I said, "We're ready.  When do you want to hear us?"

   "Now!  Right here!  Right now!" Antwaan insisted.

   Jay and I waved the rest of the freshmen to come forward to join our
group.  We lined up.  Jay started us off.  We sang: For the glory of old
State, For her founders strong and great, For the future that we wait,
Raise the song, raise the song.

   Sing our love and loyalty, Sing our hopes that, bright and free, Rest, O
Mother dear, with thee, All with thee, all with thee.

   We were a little out of tune but we had the words down pat.  I was proud
of how well we were doing.  I called out, "Feel free to join us in the
second verse if you want." We sang on without assistance from our older
teammates.

   (Softly)

   When we stood at childhood's gate, Shapeless in the hands of fate, Thou
didst mold us, dear old State, Dear old State, dear old State.

   (Louder)

   May no act of ours bring shame To one heart that loves thy name, May our
lives but swell thy fame, Dear old State, dear old State.  A few team
members applauded.  Most simply looked at us.  Antwaan said, "I guess you
earned dinner tonight." He motioned for us to return to the line.  "Go on."
We picked up our dinner and found seats.

   Zack Hayes stopped by my table when he got his food.  He asked, "What
was the crack about feel free to join in the second verse?  Stop showing
off.  Remember what I told you about attitude.  Got it?"

   "Sorry Zack.  I'll do better."

   The rest of dinner went without incident.  Coach Burton made one
announcement when dinner was over.  "I know that a lot of you want to know
who our fastest player is.  We have a tie this year between Leslie Jones
and Kyle Martin.  Both ran the 40 in 4.30 seconds.  Third place went to
Aaron Morano with a time of 4.32 seconds." Zack grinned at me and gave me a
thumbs up.

   The whole team headed back to the Lasch Building for position meetings
in the evening.  I finally got to meet all the wide receivers on the team.
Beaumont (Bo) Cherry and Derek Whitaker were set at the top of the depth
chart.  Both were seniors.  Bo had started last year beside Glenn Tucker.
Derek was taking Glenn's place.  Anders Voight, a junior, was the #3
receiver and would go in the slot when he was needed.

   The remaining receivers on the team were Hassan Jackson, the only other
junior; Aidan Nagy, Max Rosen, Alex Majerowicz - all sophomores; and
Christian, myself and Tanner Riggs, the freshmen.  I was surprised to see
that I was the tallest and heaviest of the ten receivers on our team.  We
met with Coach Paul Adams, our receivers coach.  He went over expectations
he had for us.  Our meeting broke up around 8:30.

   Christian and I headed back to our room.  We studied our playbooks for
awhile.  Both of us checked our e-mail.  Penny had written back after
dinner.  She was totally psyched today.  Dr.  Chu had let her help with a
surgery at the veterinary clinic today.  She worked there part time.  My
girlfriend planned to become a veterinarian.  She was starting classes at
the University of Pennsylvania in four weeks.

   Christian sent off an e-mail to Bev describing his day.  Both of us had
enough of studying our playbooks by 9:30.  I grabbed my MP3 player and my
book and laid down in my bed to read and listen to tunes.  Christian read
his Bible at his desk.  Christian read for about fifteen minutes.  He laid
down on his bed and asked, "Are you ready to sleep yet?  It's been a long
day."

   I had gotten to a good spot in my book.  I wanted to read more.  "Give
me a couple minutes, OK?"

   "Sure Kyle."

   I read a couple more pages.  I put my book on the bolster beside my bed.
"Good night Christian."

   Christian reached up and turned off the light immediately.  "Good night
Kyle." I listened to music for another half hour before I tried to go to
sleep.  Christian was snoring quietly when I put my MP3 player aside to
sleep.

  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-

   The noise of Christian puttering around our room woke me up.  I glanced
at my clock.  It was a quarter to seven!  I rolled over and tried to sleep
some more.  We didn't have to be at practice until 9 o'clock.  Christian
went over to shower after about fifteen minutes.  I couldn't sleep.

   My mind wandered back to Friday night when Penny shared her bed with me
before I left for college.  My cock swelled.  I rolled on my back and
stroked my cock, remembering the feeling of sliding it into my lover's
warm, moist pussy.  I savored the feelings as I slowly brought myself to
arousal.  I stroked faster.  My balls tightened.  Almost there... a little
more....

   The door opened and Christian came back in.  SHIT!  I quickly pulled my
hand out of my boxers and rolled on my side facing the bolster.  Christian
innocently asked, "You going to stay in bed all day Kyle?"

   "A few more minutes." I answered.  I willed my cock to deflate.  I tried
to go over some football plays to take my mind off my arousal.  I needed
five minutes to get my cock soft enough so it wouldn't look obscene when I
got out of bed.  I grabbed my shower stuff and headed for the bathroom.  I
hoped for privacy there to finish what I started.  Unfortunately Jay, Max
Rosen, Tyler Madden and Trevor were also taking showers when I got there.
No relief for my poor balls today.

   Christian and I headed over for breakfast together.  We ended up sitting
with Damian, Shawn and GJ.  I went back to my room, loaded my playbook and
shower stuff in my daypack and headed over to the locker room in the Lasch
Building.  A dozen other guys were in the locker room when I got there.

   I found a note taped to the shelf in my locker.  It said I had an
appointment with Mr.  Collins at 2:45 pm on Wednesday to discuss my
conditioning program.  I noticed everyone had similar notes taped to their
lockers.  I changed into my new Penn State gear.  I hung out in the locker
room until ten of nine and then went out on the field to wait for the
coaches to start practice.

   The second day went a lot like the first.  We spent 90 minutes in the
morning and 90 minutes in the afternoon doing conditioning and agility
drills.  The coaches filled the other times in with offensive team
meetings, position meetings and film study.  The other freshmen and I
filled in our so-called free time by studying the massive playbook.

   After the last meeting for the day, around 8:30 pm, I asked Zack Hayes,
"Do you want to hang out a little tonight?"

   "Hang out?  You don't have time to hang out.  I know you haven't
memorized the whole playbook yet.  You need to study.  Hell, I need to
study.  Coach Schroeder drew up a few new plays he wants me to be ready to
try next week."

   "OK Zack.  I'll see you in the morning." I headed back to my dorm room
and another night of learning the football system.

   I made sure I sent off an e-mail to my girlfriend.  Two years earlier I
had lost my previous girlfriend by neglecting her after she moved to
Nebraska.  I loved my current girlfriend too much to let that happen now
that we were separated by college.  I promised to e-mail her everyday.

   Christian wanted to go to bed too early to suit me.  I didn't complain.
It probably was best while we were in training for football to get some
extra sleep.

   Wednesday morning Christian woke me up too early as usual.  I managed to
fall asleep again while he was gone for his morning shower.  I woke up
again when Christian came back from the bathroom.  I had a wicked boner
that morning.  I needed relief soon.  I went for a shower when it subsided
somewhat.  Three other guys were in the bathroom so my jerk off session was
going to have to wait a little longer.

   Morning practice started off with the usual conditioning drills.  The
coaches added in blocking, tackling and fumble drills too.  The offense
finished the morning studying films of last year's team executing the plays
we would start working on in a few days.  After lunch we went back for
another 90 minutes of drills.  We finished them at 2:30 pm.

   I just had time to head inside the Lasch Building for my 2:45 meeting
with Mr.  Collins to review my training program.  Coach Burton caught me
just before I headed for the weight room to see Mr.  Collins.

   Coach Burton said, "Can you see Coach Schroeder, Coach Adams, Coach
Ferguson and me for a few minutes Kyle?"

   "Um... I'm supposed to meet with Mr.  Collins at 2:45.  Will I have time
to make it to that appointment?" I asked.

   "Mr.  Collins knows you won't be coming.  He needs to rework your
training program from his initial plan.  That is part of the purpose of
this meeting - to discuss what you are going to do on the team."

   "OK" I answered.  I followed Coach Burton back to his office.  The other
coaches were seated on the coach and chairs at one end of the office.  One
seat was open on the coach.  Coach Burton motioned for me to sit there.

   Coach Burton began, "We want to discuss you role on the team this year
Kyle.  You surprised us earlier this week.  Our plans for you were based on
you having 4.4 speed in the 40.  Your 4.3 speed changes our plans for you
significantly.  Have you ever run back kickoffs or punts in high school?"

   "No.  I started football late when I was in high school.  My coach
concentrated on teaching me half a dozen deep pass routes my first year,
just to get me on the field.  I didn't have time then to try that.  By my
second year on varsity I was a starting wide receiver.  Our coach didn't
want to waste me on special teams."

   "Are you willing to do that for us?" Coach Burton asked.

   "Sure - I'll do anything I can to help the team out." I answered.

   "Good.  Coach Ferguson will start working with you next Tuesday to help
you get ready for this."

   "OK" I said.

   "I want you to understand that this talk doesn't mean you get the job of
returning punts and kicks on the team during the season.  We just want to
see if you are able to handle the job." Coach Burton said.

   "I understand.  Can I ask you a question?  You said Mr.  Collins needed
to rework my conditioning program.  Is the program for a return man that
different from one for wide receiver?"

   "No.  It isn't.  I told him to work up a program to help you bulk up a
little.  I had this idea of trying you out as a tight end.  We aren't going
that route anymore."

   "A tight end?  Do you mind if I ask why you wanted me as a tight end?" I
asked.

   Coach Burton explained, "Your high school coach warned me you were going
to ask a lot of questions.  He was right.  I don't mind explaining my
thinking.  You are kind of large for a wide receiver.  The 4.37-4.38 speed
I thought you had isn't fast enough to blow past most of the defensive
backs in the Big Ten.  They can keep up with that kind of speed.  If you
could get your weight up to 235 pounds and learned to block, we could use
you as a tight end.  You would be mismatched against an outside linebacker
and could hurt the other team more than if you stayed at wide receiver."

   "Does it make that much difference - 4.30 vs.  4.37 speed?"

   "All the Big Ten defensive backs can manage a 4.4.  Only a few can do
4.3 in the 40.  It only represents one step on the defender, but a one step
advantage is all you need to be successful."

   Coach Ferguson extended his hand to me.  "Welcome to special teams
Kyle." I shook it.  The coaches dismissed me.  I headed back to the locker
room, grabbed my playbook and went to the team lounge.  The next meeting
didn't start for another half hour.  I opened the book and started studying
the kick off return plays we had.

   Zack Hayes came by a few minutes later.  He looked at what I was
studying.  "Kick-offs?  Why are you studying these?"

   "Coach Burton asked me to try out as a kick and punt returner.  I need
to learn what the hell I am doing."

   Zack smiled.  "A returner?  Cool.  You probably will get more time on
the field that way.  You aren't going to get a lot of time at wide receiver
until you learn the playbook."

   I got a chance to tell Christian my news after the receivers meeting
before dinner.  He congratulated me.  I found out my news wasn't as special
as I thought after dinner.  The team had its first special teams meeting.
Every freshmen, sophomore and a few juniors and seniors attended.  Tyler
Madden, Shawn Byrd, Max Rosen, Alex Majerowicz, Christian Hunsecker, Tanner
Riggs and I were all going to try out for the punt returner and kick
returner roles.

   I called home after the evening meeting was over and talked with my
brother Andy.  I quizzed him on everything he had learned in the last two
years returning punts for our high school team.  Christian and I spent the
rest of the evening studying special teams plays.

   I checked my e-mail before bed time.  Penny sent me a very detailed,
graphic e-mail telling me what she had done with her "Little Kyle"
realistic dildo earlier in the evening.  She wished she had "Real Kyle"
stuffed up her pussy instead.

   Penny and I were extraordinarily lucky in high school.  Our families
knew and tolerated our sexual liaisons.  We normally managed to pleasure
each other at least two or three times a week.  Both of us had gone without
for the past five days.  We were horny as hell and couldn't get relief.

   Christian went to bed while I was composing the e-mail reply.  I told
him to turn out the light.  I could work by light of my desk light and
computer monitor.  A dark room would be good anyway.  My cock was hard as
steel and wasn't going down without some stroking.

   I sent of an explicit description of what I wanted to do to her, turned
off my computer and then stripped for bed in the dark.  Christian was
quiet. I rolled on my back and started to stroke my rod.  I only needed a
couple minutes to near climax.  I got carried away jerking off.  I panted
and stroked, finally exploding.  "Oooohhh....." I groaned.  My first spurt
of cum landed on my chin.  I splattered a huge load all over my chest and
stomach.

   "Ewwww... Do you have to do that Kyle?" Christian asked.

   "Penny and I haven't fucked for five days.  You know how it is."

   "It's just gross.  I wish you wouldn't do that."

   "Sorry." I said apologetically.  I cleaned myself up with tissues and
rolled over to go to sleep.

   Thursday, Friday and Saturday went pretty much the same as earlier in
the week - drills, meetings, drills and more meetings.  I finally got to
meet with Mr.  Collins on Friday afternoon.  He complimented me on the work
I had done before joining the team.  He told me I was in excellent
condition.  He gave me a new training regimen that would emphasize speed
and agility over adding muscle mass.

   Coach Burton gave us some time off on Sunday.  Christian dragged me off
to church again on Sunday morning.  We spent part of the afternoon
studying. All the freshmen from our dorm went over to the Lasch Building to
work out later in the afternoon.  Mr.  Collins' workout program felt good
to me when I finished it.  Our group headed downtown after the workout for
pizza for dinner.  We were ready for something different after a week of
dorm food.

   I sent off a series of e-mails in the evening to Ed Fritz, my best
friend and freshman quarterback at the University of Florida, to Jeremy
North, freshman linebacker at Notre Dame and Hal King, freshman kicker at
Rutgers.  I found responses from my friends before bedtime.  We all had the
same story.  The playbook was huge.  We were working our tails off trying
to fit in and impress our coaches.  None of us were sure we could meet the
challenge but we were glad we were trying.

   Larry Fitzgerald and his staff issued all the players helmets, pads and
their game uniforms on Monday morning.  It was time for some contact.  The
whole team stretched before the coaches split us up.  The third string,
including all the freshmen, ended up on the far field beside University
Drive and Holuba Hall.  Jay Nicholson and Colin O'Shea split time at
quarterback for us.  Coaches Adams and Curry worked with the third string
offense.  We would go through a play at half speed, reviewing pass routes,
blocking and timing.  We ran the plays at full speed a couple times and
then ran them against the third string defense.

   I was typically matched up against Shawn Byrd.  Shawn was very good at
covering pass routes.  I caught a few passes on him.  He stopped a few too.
I confirmed what I saw last spring at the Blue & White Game last spring. 
Jay had a rifle for an arm.  We only ran one deep pass with Colin at the
helm.  He didn't have the arm to go deep.  I understood Jay's and Colin's
places on the team by the end of the day.  Jay was the heir-apparent to
Zack.  Colin was slated to be a career back-up.

   Tuesday afternoon was our first special teams practice.  We started out
practicing kickoffs.  The seven of us prospective returners took turns
taking kicks from Cooper Barnes, our kicker, and his back up, Andrew
Perkins, a sophomore from Carlisle, Pa.

   Coach Ferguson taught us to stand at the five yard line.  If we dropped
back more than five steps we were to let the ball end up in the end zone.
We were to accept a touchback to put the ball on the 20 yard line if the
ball ended up in the end zone.  We would run the ball out of the end zone
only if we had a good match up against a specific team.

   Max Rosen took the first live kick-off against opposition.  I watched
him catch the ball cleanly and speed up behind his wedge of blockers.  He
took the ball out to the 21 yard line.  Christian went next.  He was
tackled at the 23 yard line when he got tangled up in his blockers.  Tanner
Riggs took the next kick.  Coop boomed the ball into the end zone.  Tanner
caught it and kneeled down to take the touchback.  Coach Ferguson said,
"Good decision Riggs.  Nice work."

   I was next.  I knew something that the other guys didn't about blocking.
My friend and high school assistant coach Justin Baer had drilled the
lesson into our brains two years ago in high school.  Let your blocking
develop.

   Coop sent a field-able kick down to me.  I backed up to the two yard
line and caught the ball.  I ran quickly up field until I was about 3-4
yards behind my wedge of blockers.  I slowed down to the pace of my
blockers and followed them up the field until they engaged the other team.
Karol Ziska, the lead blocker in the front of the wedge and Wesley Kennedy,
a freshman fullback to his right, opened a small seam between their
would-be tacklers.

   I accelerated into the seam as soon as it opened.  In three steps I was
going full speed through the hole.  I made ten more yards before another
guy tried to tackle me.  He missed.  Cooper Barnes finally took me out with
an ankle tackle at midfield.  He helped me to my feet.

   Coach Ferguson shouted, "Excellent work Martin!  Excellent!" He called
everyone together and reviewed what I had done.  I was happy I pleased my
coach.

   I overheard Tanner Riggs snap, "I knew that too.  He just was lucky to
get a punt he could field." I had the impression over the first ten days
that Tanner and I were going to be rivals and not friends.  Christian and I
were rivals too but we were also friends off the field.

   We switched to practicing punts half way through the afternoon.  This
was harder for me.  I didn't have much blocking on the punt returns.  I
needed to make my own way up field as quickly as I could.  I thought I did
a creditable job at it.  I gained a lot more respect for my brother.  This
was hard and he made all-state as a punt returner last season.

   Wednesday afternoon we had all the quarterbacks and wide receivers
practice passing routes while the blockers worked on their blocking
schemes. All the wide receivers were sitting in a group waiting for the
next drill to start.  I was sitting beside Tanner and Christian.  Tanner
commented, "You know I was all-state the past two years."

   Christian said, "Yeah.  So what?  I was all-state the last two years
too."

   Tanner asked, "What about you Martin?"

   I frowned.  "No, I wasn't all-state the past two years." I paused for
dramatic effect while he grinned at me.  "I was all-state as a sophomore. I
hurt me knee as a junior and wasn't eligible." Tanner smiled.  He thought
he was one up on me.  I smiled slyly.  "I wasn't all-state as a senior.  I
made all-American." Tanner lost his grin instantly.

   We started comparing records - who had the most catches, the most yards
and the most touchdowns.  Aidan Nagy, a junior, didn't take our discussion
very well.  "Hey kiddies.  Knock it the hell off.  All of you are in the
same boat now.  Zero catches for zero yards and no touchdowns.  Nobody
gives a fuck what you did in high school."

   I bristled at first from Aidan's rebuke.  He was right.  None of that
mattered now.  We had to perform today or we would be riding the bench.

   Friday and Saturday's practices went well for me.  I caught nearly all
the passes that Jay or Colin threw to me.  The coaches used me mostly in
the slot those days as a third receiver.  Coach Adams liked my size when I
went over the middle.  I was big enough to have the hero or even an outside
linebacker hit me after the catch.

   Zack Hayes invited me over to his apartment on Saturday evening.  The
party was mostly for older teammates but Jay and Colin were invited too.  I
hung out with them for a good part of the evening.  I enjoyed a couple
beers along with the company and the music.  Girls were in short supply. 
The university would rectify that problem in five days.  The rest of the
students would report on Thursday, August 20th through Saturday, August
22nd for the fall semester.  I didn't get back to my dorm room until after
midnight.  I tried to slip into bed as quietly as possible without waking
Christian.

   I slept right through Christian's Sunday morning routine.  I didn't wake
up until after 10 o'clock.  He was gone.  I grabbed a shower and then
headed over to Pollock Commons for breakfast.  I grabbed a newspaper while
I was there.

   I was relaxing on my bed reading the paper when Christian returned from
church.  He said, "I missed you at church Kyle.  You were dead to the world
this morning."

   I explained, "I got in a kind of late from Zack's apartment.  Some of us
hung out there last night."

   Christian laughed.  "At least you weren't out drinking and carousing."

   "Well... we weren't carousing.  Zack did offer some nice cold beer.  I
enjoyed it."

   Christian's face switched from laughing to shock instantly.  "You drink
alcohol?  I didn't think you did that."

   "Why would you think that?" I asked.

   "At the party last spring you drank Coke when Zack offered you beer."

   "I was the driver last spring.  I don't drink and drive.  I have been
known to drink and walk though.  I have no problem with that."

   Christian went on.  "Coach Burton specifically said we can't drink if
we're underage."

   "No, Coach Burton said we can't embarrass the team by getting caught
drinking.  Zack is the model of discretion.  He's careful and keeps things
low key."

   "The Bible says `Narrow is the path to heaven.' You may want to think
about what you're doing Kyle.  You are breaking the law by drinking.  You
ignore God's day by sleeping in and skipping worship.  Is this the right
way to live your life?"

   "I'm fine Christian.  Don't worry about me." I answered.  Christian
didn't say anything else about it.

   Christian changed clothes and headed over to the dining hall for brunch.
I wasn't hungry yet, so I continued reading my paper.  I didn't feel like
lunch until about 1:15 in the afternoon.  I checked up and down the halls.
Damian was around so we went over to have lunch together.  We talked about
football over lunch.  Damian was enjoying everything he was learning.  He
knew he would be at the bottom of the depth chart this year since he was a
walk-on and not a scholarship player.  He was confident that he would show
the coaches what he could do in practice and eventually in a game.  His
goal was to become a scholarship player next season.

   The two of us headed over to the Lasch Building and did our daily
workout.  We went to the player's lounge when were done.  A couple dozen
guys were hanging out there - watching TV, playing video games, foosball
and pool.  Damian and I took on the winners of Shawn O'Conner and Anders
Voight versus Gerry Oliszewski and Jeremiah Nowak.

   Shawn and Anders beat Gerry and Jeremiah handily.  Shawn O'Conner was a
junior and our starting tailback.  I had known Shawn for almost two years,
since I met him at a party on my first unofficial visit to Penn State. 
Jeremiah of course was a senior and the number 2 quarterback on the team.
Jeremiah wracked up the balls for us.  Shawn and Anders let Damian and I
have the break.

   I played pool occasionally with my friends when I was growing up. 
Jeremy North had a pool table in his basement.  Ed, Hal, Jeremy and me
would get together to play.  We weren't good but we had fun.

   Damian broke.  He sank a couple balls before he turned the cue stick
over to Anders.  Shawn and I talked while we waited our turns.  I was
surprised when he told me where he was from - Downingtown.  He lived about
fifteen miles east of me on Route 30.  Anders sank a couple balls before it
was my turn.  I sank one and then handed off to Shawn.

   One of the other guys called out while we were waiting our turn.  "Hey
Anders, your uncle is on TV."

   He answered, "What else is new?  He's made about 70 movies.  There's
always one showing on TV."

   I asked, "Your uncle's an actor?"

   "Yep."

   "That's cool.  Do you get out to California to see him much?" I asked.

   "I'm from California.  I've been on a few of Uncle Jon's sets to watch.
It's fun."

   "Really.  You're from out west.  How'd you get here to Penn State?"

   Anders explained, "My family has a Penn State connection too.  I have
another uncle who is a professor here.  My cousin teaches geology here
too."

   I asked, "Do you have any other relatives in show business?"

   "Yes.  I have a couple cousins who act.  My cousin's husband is an actor
too.  My dad sings and writes songs."

   I asked innocently, "Would I have heard of any of them?"

   Half a dozen guys apparently were listening to our conversation.  The
answered my question by singing.

   "Wild thing.  You make my heart sing.  You make everything.  Come on,
wild thing"

   I asked, "Your dad wrote that?  That's famous."

   The room irrupted in laughter.  Shawn explained, "You didn't know you
were talking to our resident celebrity did you?" I nodded no.  "Think about
Anders' last name.  Uncle Jon?"

   It hit me.  Uncle Jon.  "Your uncle is Jon Voight?" Anders nodded yes.
"That would make one of the cousins Angelina Jolie.  And her husband is
Brad Pitt?"

   "Now you're getting it Kyle." Anders said.

   "How did you get into football if your family is so big in show
business?"

   "Athletics runs in the family too.  My dad used to be a professional
golfer.  So was my grandfather." Anders explained.  "Anybody famous in your
family?"

   "No.  We're just nobodies from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  My
brother hopes to become a professor someday.  He is starting on his masters
in physics at Penn this fall."

   Anders asked, "Lancaster County?  Isn't that where the Amish are?  Do
you know any?"

   "Sure.  The farm behind our house is an Amish Farm.  Jacob Stoltzfus
owns it.

   Anders said, "That's really cool.  I've always been fascinated by people
who can give up everything and live like they do.  I guess you aren't
Amish?"

   "Of course not.  An Amishman wouldn't go to college.  They stop school
at 8th grade.  My grandparents grew up on a Mennonite farm."

   "You mean they used a horse and carriage, didn't have electricity or
telephone, you know, those kinds of things?"

   "It's called a horse and buggy.  No, they weren't that kind of
Mennonites.  There are a few orders of Mennonites like that but most orders
are more progressive.  Some Mennonites aren't any different from us.  You'd
never know they were unless they told you." I explained.

   "Really?"

   "Sure.  One of our teammates is a Mennonite."

   "You're kidding!  Who?"

   "My roommate Christian.

   Anders grinned.  "I'm going to have to talk to Christian.  I'd love to
hear some more about the Amish and Mennonites."

   The subject was dropped when it was Anders turn to shoot next.  Anders
went on a run.  He sank the last four stripes before scratching.  Damian
sank the last two solids before missing.  Shawn smartly sank the eight ball
to win the game.

   No one else was ready to take on Shawn and Anders again so Damian and I
played them a second time.  The result of the game wasn't different.  It
was close but they beat us again.  I enjoyed the down time away from
football that afternoon.  It was fun spending time with Shawn, Anders and
Damian.

   Monday morning Coach Adams told me to concentrate on learning plays with
three receivers on the field.  They moved me up to #2 on the depth chart as
a slot receiver, behind Anders Voight.  I spent part of my time practicing
with the second string team with Jeremiah Nowak and Glenn Korbel.

   Coach Ferguson, our special teams coach, asked Christian, Tanner Riggs
and me to shag kicks for Cooper Barnes and his backup, Andrew Perkins,
after regular practice was over.  I fielded all the kicks I could happily.
I needed the practice in case I had to do this in a real game.

   Coach Ferguson clarified the depth chart some for returns during
Tuesday's special teams practice.  He used Tanner Riggs, Max Rosen and me
exclusively as kick returners.  The others didn't get any touches at all.
Christian, Alex Majerowicz and I returned punts.  I convinced Steve Cobb
and Mitch Jackson to punt to me for half an hour after practice was over.

   I got more repetitions during the week between my time practicing with
the second team and with the third team.  I was starting to feel
comfortable with the plays using a slot receiver.

   Christian wasn't his usual cool, calm self on Wednesday evening.  I knew
he had to be at least as horny as me.  His girlfriend of the last two and a
half years, Beverly Umble, was arriving tomorrow morning.  To the best of
my knowledge Christian hadn't had any relief since we got to campus.  It
embarrassed the hell out of Christian the two times he caught me stroking
myself.  I didn't think he did that in our room when I wasn't around.

   After dinner and our evening receivers meeting Christian and I did our
daily workout, showered and went back to our room.  I decided it was time
to discussed having guests in our room.  I asked, "I guess you're looking
forward to Bev coming tomorrow."

   "You have no idea how much I missed her the last three weeks."

   "I think I do Christian.  I haven't seen Penny for three weeks either.
You're lucky.  You get to see Bev tomorrow.  Penny starts classes in
Philadelphia in two weeks.  I don't get to see her until Thanksgiving."

   "I know I'm lucky." Christian said.

   "We need to work out a signal so you and Bev can have some privacy when
you need it.  Hang an empty hanger outside on our door handle if you and
Bev want to alone in our room.  I'll find somewhere else to hang out until
you're finished."

   "Alone?  No." Christian shook his head no.  "That wouldn't be a good
idea."

   I asked, "What?  You and Bev don't want to... you know..." Christian
turned bright red from embarrassment.

   "You don't mean... NO!  We don't sleep together." Christian shook his
head vigorously no.  "We DO NOT fornicate!  That would be a sin."

   I stared at my friend in shock.  "You... you and Bev... you've gone
together for two and a half years and never had sex?"

   "Never!"

   I stared at him in disbelief.  "Both of you - you're virgins?"

   "Of course!  We are waiting until we are married."

   "Are you sure you're related to Trent Wilson?" I asked.  I knew
Christian's cousin Trent Wilson emphatically was not a virgin.  I had known
him for five years.  He and his girlfriend had double dated with my
girlfriend and me.  We'd parked.  I took my girlfriend for a walk while he
got it on with Ashley.  He and Ashley had taken a walk later so I could
make love to my girlfriend.

   Christian sighed in response.  "I pray for him.  I know he's done some
things he shouldn't have done.  My Uncle Jim doesn't believe.  He's led his
family astray." Jim Wilson, Trent's father, married Christian's Aunt Janet.

   Christian asked, "You and Penny - you haven't done... you know... have
you?"

   I nodded my head.  "Yes.  We have had sex."

   "You two got carried away once?"

   I laughed.  "A lot more than one time Christian.  I mean Penny and I get
so horny.  Haven't you and Bev ever gotten to third base?  You know how
worked up a girl gets when you..."

   Christian interrupted.  "NO!  I don't know."

   "Have you got to second base?" Christian wouldn't answer.  I caught him
smiling as he turned away from me.  He wasn't a complete freak.  He did
have active hormones.  The smile was gone when he turned back to face me
again.  "Let me know when you two want privacy.  I'll get out of the way
for whatever time you two need."

   "I'll keep it in mind Kyle."

   Christian and I fired up our computers.  Christian got an e-mail from
Bev letting him know she was arriving with her parents between 10 and 11 in
the morning.  She wanted to know if she could meet him for lunch.  He
e-mailed back letting her know he had to eat at the Training Table for a
couple more days.  I sent Penny an e-mail to let her know how my day went.



   Chapter 2

   =========

   Damian, Christian, GJ, Shawn and Jay went to breakfast with me.  Pollock
Commons was already decorated with signs to direct the incoming freshmen to
the housing office, the post office and temporary parking.  I didn't seem
like it was only three weeks ago that we went through all of that.

   I told the group about Christian's girlfriend Beverly arriving today. 
None of the other guys were going with anyone right now.  Jay had dumped
his high school girlfriend before he came to Penn State last January.  He'd
dated a few girls but didn't have a serious relationship.  Shawn Byrd had
been dumped by his long time girlfriend after the prom last spring.  GJ and
his girlfriend agreed it would be best if they split up after high school.
She was attending Syracuse.  Damian hadn't gone steady with anyone since
eleventh grade.  He was unattached.  Christian and I were the only ones in
a steady relationship.

   Cars were bringing freshmen and their parents when we walked up the
street to the practice fields for our morning practice.  Campus was going
to be livelier now that the other 50,000 students were going to be here.

   I made a few good plays in front of Coach Schroeder and Coach Valdez
(Offensive Line Coach).  The first time I caught a pass on a crossing
route. I got a step on the nickel back, Shawn Byrd, made Tyler Madden, the
free safety, miss and headed for the end zone before the coaches blew the
play dead.  The second time we were in short yardage mode at the 10 yard
line.  Jeremiah threw me a pass at the post.  All I had to do was out jump
Shawn and Tyler.  I leaped and made the catch.  I hung onto the ball when
Tyler tried to knock it loose.

   Coach Schroeder called me over when practice was done.  He told me,
"That was nice work today Martin.  Study hard.  I expect we are going to
get you in for some plays next Saturday when we play Kent State.  Be
ready."

   "Absolutely coach.  I'll be ready." I answered.  I floated back to the
locker room on a cloud.  They were going to put me on the field for our
first game!  The news got better after lunch.

   Our special teams coach, Coach Ferguson, announced the line up for
Saturday's full scrimmage.  I was #1 kick returner and #1 punt returner. 
Christian and then Alex Majerowicz would back me up as the punt returner.
Tanner Riggs and Max Rosen would back me up at kick returner.

   I convinced Steve Cobb and Mitch Jackson to give me extra practice at
fielding punts after practice was over.  They gave me an extra 45 minutes
of help.  Christian had disappeared by the time I had showered and went
back to our room.  He left me a note telling me he was meeting Bev before
dinner.

   Fourth floor Hartranft was crowded when I got back.  Half a dozen more
freshmen had arrived during the day.  They were hanging out by the elevator
waiting for Pete Klein to take them over to the dining hall.  Pete let the
rest of us know that we were required to attend tonight's orientation
meeting at 7 o'clock.

   Trevor, Tony, Shawn, Jay, Damian, GJ and met for dinner.  Christian
hadn't gotten back from his reunion with Bev at 5:30 when it was time for
us to head to the Training Table.

   My friends and I were eating dinner at our table when Christian finally
showed up and joined the tail end of the dinner line.  He took some good
natured ribbing when he finally sat down with us.  Jay asked, "Did you have
a good reunion with your girlfriend?"

   Christian agreed while Trevor and Tony sang "Afternoon Delight" to him.
Shawn teased, "Christian, you look relaxed.  Did Bev give you a massage -
maybe a full body massage?"

   Christian blushed and continued eating dinner.  I couldn't blame my
friends for assuming that Christian had gotten laid this afternoon.  I
would have assumed that too if I hadn't talked with him the previous
evening.  Christian didn't get mad about the teasing.  He simple accepted
it with good humor.

   Coach Burton called for everyone's attention when dinner was over.  He
reviewed our schedule for the future.  We were switching to our normal fall
semester schedule.  We would practice once a day at 3:45 in the afternoon.
Any team or position meetings would be done after dinner.  We would
continue to eat at the Training Table for dinners.  Breakfast and Lunch
would be in the normal Pollock dining halls.  Coach wanted us to fit in
conditioning this evening as it fit our schedule.  He knew some of us had
freshmen orientation this evening.

   Pete gathered all the residents on our floor of Hartranft after dinner
for the required orientation meeting.  He had everyone introduce themselves
at the beginning.  I learned that Cameron Miller and Joel Peterson had
moved into room 406 beside Christian and me.  Both guys were freshmen. 
Erick Scott, a sophomore transfer from Penn State York, shared room 408
with Jeff Alford.  Jeff was also a freshman.  Christian and I noted who
they were so we could introduce ourselves when the meeting was over.

   Pete spent an hour going through the orientation information with us. 
By Saturday evening our floor would be filled to overflowing.  We would
have 51 regular residents plus eight extra temporary residents in our study
room for the next month or two.

   Pete discussed building security, campus health and counseling services,
support available for gay, bisexual and transgender students, and dining
hall operations.  We spent quite a bit of time discussing personal conduct,
diversity in the university, alcohol use, drugs and smoking.  Our floor was
designated as a non-smoking floor.  Pete finished by discussing sexual
conduct, date rape, no means no, and how to protect ourselves from HIV and
other STD's.  Pete warned us to check our university e-mail account
tonight. Our academic advisors would be letting us know when we would go in
to meet him or her to go over our fall course schedule.

   Christian and I greeted Joel, Erick, Jeff and Cameron when the meeting
was done.  They seemed like decent guys.  Joel was curious.  He asked, "Did
you and Christian move in today?  I didn't see you around at all during the
day."

   I explained, "No.  We moved in three weeks ago.  We're on the football
team."

   Cameron asked, "Are you serious?  You're football players?"

   Christian confirmed.  "We are.  It isn't a big deal."

   I added, "Don't get too impressed.  We have thirteen football players on
this floor." Christian and I listed the various players to them.  Our dorm
neighbors seemed a little too impressed by us.  Hopefully they would get
used to us in time.  Christian and I went over to the Lasch Building for
our evening workout.

   I found two e-mails when I got back to my room after my workout.  The
first one was from Penny.  I sent off a reply to my lover.

   The second e-mail was from Dr.  P.  Thomas Henderson.  Dr.  Henderson
was my academic advisor.  I was scheduled to meet him at 8:30 the next
morning to go over my fall class schedule.

   I didn't mind quite as much as usual when Christian turned the lights
out at 10 pm.  I would need to get up earlier than usual to get showered
and get breakfast before my meeting with my advisor.

   Christian set up a breakfast date with Bev for Friday morning.  He
invited me along so I could get to know Bev and her roommate better.  We
met the girls in the dining hall at 7:30 in the morning.  Christian
introduced me to Bev's roommate Cindy Young.  Cindy was average height with
brown hair.  She wasn't a classic beauty.  Some people would say she was
full figured.

   Two other girls from Bev's third floor Beaver Hall joined us.  My eye
was caught by the girl sitting beside Bev.  Her name was Kelly O'Keefe. 
Her flaming red hair was pulled back in a pony tail.  She was taller,
probably 5'-8" tall with fair skin and freckles on her face.  Kelly was
well built.  My cock stirred as I checked her out.  Kelly smiled at me when
she caught me staring.  I willed my cock to behave itself.  I thought `If I
didn't have Penny I'd love to...' The thought didn't get completed - I was
in a committed relationship with Penny.

   Bev introduced Kelly's roommate Jennifer D'Antonio.  Jen was 5'-3",
maybe 110 pounds.  She had the look of a gymnast, which she was in high
school.  Jen wore her blond hair short.

   Christian and I joined the girls.  We compared information.  Cindy was a
meteorology major from Birdsboro, outside Reading, Pa.  Kelly was from
Pittsburgh and was studying journalism.  Jen was from Berwyn, outside
Philadelphia.  She was studying English Literature.  I already knew that
Bev was studying to become a nurse.  Bev and Cindy were in Room 316 of
Beaver Hall.  Kelly and Jen were next door in 317.

   Breakfast was considerably more fun eating with the girls than it was
eating with the guys from the football team.  I was disappointed when it
was time for me to leave to meet my advisor.  I made a quick stop back at
the room for a notebook and a campus map before I headed for Dr. 
Henderson's office in 228 Chambers Building.

   I had to wait outside his office for a couple minutes while Dr. 
Henderson finished talking with another student.  He waved me inside when
he was ready.  Dr.  Henderson looked to be in his fifties.  His once brown
hair was more gray than brown now.  He had a bald spot on the crown of his
head.  He had a neatly trimmed gray mustache and goatee.

   He looked me over carefully before he said, "Kyle Martin I presume?"

   "Yes Sir."

   He motioned for me to sit down in the chair beside his desk.  He browsed
through a file folder marked Kyle D.  Martin for a minute before he spoke.
"Mr.  Martin, your schedule seems to be in order.  When did you prepare
it?"

   "Thank you sir.  The advisor that gave me the FTCAP tests in the spring
helped me get my schedule done then."

   "I see.  May I ask you why you wish to become a school teacher?" Dr. 
Henderson asked.

   "A teaching degree will go well with my second career objective.  I want
to coach football."

   "Football?" Dr.  Henderson asked.  He leafed through my folder again. 
"I see.  You are attending on an athletic scholarship."

   "Yes sir."

   "Education is a serious career, not something for athletes to play
around with.  Teachers serve to pass the sum of mankind's knowledge onto
the next generation.  Do NOT expect favorable treatment in your education
courses, if you decide to stay in the College of Education."

   I explained, "I'm not expecting special treatment.  I agree with you
about teaching being an important profession.  I expect that I will have to
work hard to be successful.  I've been a counselor at a scout camp for the
last four summers.  I enjoy the teaching.  I think I will be good at it."

   "Time will tell Mr.  Martin." Dr.  Henderson answered.  He handed me a
print out of my class schedule for the fall.  "Don't forget about the
freshman swim test.  I would suggest you get this done before classes
start."

   "Yes sir.  I'll do that." I replied.  Dr.  Henderson dismissed me with a
wave of his hand.  I left his office feeling confused and a little uneasy.
I hadn't expected my meeting with my advisor to go like this.  Hopefully I
wouldn't see him in the classroom.

   I looked over the schedule that Dr.  Henderson gave me.  I hadn't
remembered exactly which courses I had signed up for back in May when I
visited the Harrisburg campus.  My list of courses for this semester
included: EDPSY 014 - Learning & Instruction, HIST 001 - The Western
Heritage I, MATH 110 - Techniques of Calculus I, PL SC 01 - Introduction to
American Government, and ENGL 015 - Rhetoric & Composition.
It was only 9 o'clock.  I decided to get my books on the way past the
bookstore at the HUB (Hetzel Union Building).  The athletic department gave
me a card authorizing me to charge my textbooks at the store.  I wandered
the aisles of the bookstore collecting my various textbooks.  The stack was
immense.  It had to weigh at least forty pounds.  My total came to $423.97
when the clerk rang them up.  I smiled as I signed the charge slip for my

books.  It was a good day to have a full athletic scholarship!

   I lugged my books back to my room.  I browsed through my textbooks for
awhile.  I left them scattered on my desk.  I spent the rest of the morning
studying plays in the playbook.  Christian came in lugging his stack of new
textbooks around 11:30.  He invited me to go to lunch with him, Bev and
Cindy.  I had decided to get the swimming test out of the way today.  I
asked Christian and Bev if they wanted to come along.  They couldn't. 
Christian promised to help Bev get her books before football practice.

   I headed back to my dorm room and changed into a swim suit and headed up
Bigler Road to the Natatorium.  The lady at the front desk sent me outside
to the outdoor pool.  I joined the line of freshmen waiting their turn for
the swim test.  I waited fifteen minutes before I got to the head of the
line.

   The lifeguard was about 20 or 21 years old and dressed to the regulation
lifeguard look: aviator sunglasses, whistle around the neck, and deep tan.
Before he even looked at me he said, "Can you swim?"

   "Yes." I answered.  The lifeguard finally looked at me.

   "Oh... I guess you can.  Where did you guard?" he asked.

   "What?" I asked, confused.

   "You're a lifeguard right?  Where did you work?"

   "How did you know?" I asked.

   "Your trunks." He said.  He pointed at the word "LIFEGUARD" clearly
printed on my red swim suit.  I hadn't thought about it.  I just grabbed
the first suit I found when I changed back at my room.  This was one of the
ones I wore at scout camp.  The red suit identified aquatics staff members
to the campers.

   "Oh, yes.  I have worked aquatics at my Boy Scout camp for the past four
summers."

   The guard said, "I guess you won't have any problem with this test.  You
need to swim one lap of the pool and then float or tread water for the
remainder of fifteen minutes.  Stay off the sides and bottom."

   "OK, I got it."

   The guard sent me to the other guard at the end of the pool.  He marked
a number on my hand and recorded it on his clipboard.  He took my name and
student number.  "Go ahead Martin."

   I jumped in the pool and started swimming.  The water and exercise felt
good on a hot day.  I decided to keep doing laps when I finished the first
one.  I carefully threaded my way around the other freshmen who were
treading water or floating.  The guard by the pool called out "Number 157.
You don't need to swim the whole fifteen minutes.  You can tread water."

   The number on my wrist was #157.  "Can I do laps if I want?  The
exercise feels good."

   "Make yourself happy." The guard replied.

   I kept a count of my laps while I swam.  I was curious how far I could
get in fifteen minutes.  Normally it took me around 35 minutes to finish if
I did the mile swim at scout camp.  Every minute the guard called out a few
numbers and freshmen climbed out of the pool.

   I noticed a girl I passed a few times didn't seem to be doing well.  I'd
seen the look from some of the younger scouts when they took their swim
test at camp and weren't confident of their ability in the water.  The
second time I passed her I stopped.

   "How are you doing?"

   "Awful!  I don't know why we need to do this stupid test!" She bitched.

   "Do you know how to float on your back?" I asked.

   "No."

   "Watch what I do and follow my lead." I rolled over on my back.  "Try
this." I arched my back.  "Take a deep breath and let your arms float out
like this." I held the position for about five seconds.  I let my feet
drift down and floated back into upright position.  "Can you try that?"

   "I... I don't know..." she pleaded.

   "Relax, just lean back." I coaxed.  She tried.  Her feet started to
sink.

   "I can't do this."

   "Arch your back.  Take a deep breath." She started flailing.  I
commanded.  "Stop that.  Arch your back!" She tried again.  "Take a deep
breath." The girl filled her lungs with air.  Automatically her legs rose
up and she bobbed on the surface.  I said soothingly, "See?  Just relax. 
You can do this."

   The girl relaxed as she realized that the water would keep her safely
afloat and breathing.  "Relax and enjoy the water.  This test is easy. 
See?" I told her.

   "Thank you for your help.  I couldn't do this without you." I started to
swim away from her.  "What's your name?"

   "I'm Kyle Martin."

   "It's nice to meet you.  I'm Melissa Addington."

   "It's my pleasure Melissa.  Just relax and float.  You'll finish your
time before you know it." I swam on.  Melissa wore a modest one piece suit,
but I could see she was well built.  I sighed.  If only I wasn't attached
already.  I noticed as I continued laps that Melissa made it the whole way
through her test.  I was pleased.  I had done my good turn for the day.

   I was in the middle of my sixteenth lap when the guard called #157.  I
swam over to the ladder and climbed out.  The guard said, "Martin, that was
good what you did with that girl.  She wasn't going to pass."

   "I knew she was having trouble.  I just thought I could help her relax."
I explained.

   "My boss would like to talk with you." The guard pointed to a man
standing by the gate.  I walked over to him.

   "Hi, I'm Kyle Martin.  The guard said you wanted to see me."

   "Yes Kyle.  I do.  I saw what you did with the girl who was having
trouble.  Obviously you have had some water safety training." He gestured
towards the "LIFEGUARD" printed on my swim suit.  "Are you Red Cross
certified?"

   "No, I'm BSA Lifeguard certified."

   "BSA?  That's good.  I was a scout when I was a kid." He whispered
conspiratorially, "Don't tell the Red Cross.  BSA Lifeguard is harder to
get." He smiled.  In a normal voice he asked, "I'm John Coleman.  I'm the
assistant director here.  Are you interested in a part time job?  We can
always use more life guards."

   "Maybe.  I know I won't have time this fall.  I'm on the football team.
Maybe I could help out in spring semester, if I have free time then." I
answered.

   "Check back with me after Christmas.  I'm sure I can get you some shifts
if you are interested." Mr.  Coleman explained.

   "I'll do that." I said.  "Thanks for the offer." I dried myself off and
headed back to my room.

   I found a note on my desk when I got back.  It said: "I was cleaning up.
I stacked your books for you.  See you at practice.  Christian." The
textbooks I had left scattered on my desk and bed were now sitting on my
bookshelf - arranged alphabetically by author!  Papers I had scattered on
the desk were stacked together, paper clipped and placed at the back right
corner of the desk, perfectly aligned with the edge of the desk.  I
chuckled to myself.  This was going to be an interesting year.

   I spent the remainder of my free time studying the slot receiver plays
that Coach Adams wanted me to know for the day.  I headed over to the Lasch
Building a little early.  I hung out with a few of my teammates in the
player's lounge until it was time for practice.

   Coach Burton had me practice with the first string for three plays that
afternoon.  Zack greeted me warmly when I joined his huddle.  "Welcome to
the big time Kyle." He called the play.  Of course, it was one of the plays
that Coach Adams had me studying.

   I lined up in the slot opposite Angus Pitts, a junior and our nickel
back.  I had almost a six inch advantage in height over Angus as well as an
advantage in speed.  I got separation from Angus as I crossed across the
center of the field.  Zack fired the ball to me in stride.  I turned down
the field.  I only got two more yards when Yasin Clark, our junior free
safety nailed me.  He's listed as 5'-11" and 172 ponds on the team roster.
They were being generous.  In spite of his size disadvantage, he had a
reputation as a fierce hitter.  Yasin slowed me enough that Angus Pitts and
Pete Klein could tackle me.  They dropped me hard on the ground.

   I felt good.  I hopped up ready to go again.  I had made 12 yards on our
first string defense.  "Nice job Kyle." Zack said when I rejoined the
huddle.  He called the next play.  I lined up in the slot between our left
tackle and Derrick Whitaker, our split end.  I went in motion back across
the field, ending up beside Bo Cherry on the strong side of the field.  Bo
then went in motion, ending up in the slot between me and our tight end,
Evan Foster.

   I was one on one with Aaron Morano now while Bo was covered by Angus. 
On the snap I sprinted down along the sideline.  Aaron ran with me stride
for stride.  He pinned me against the sideline.  About 20 yards down the
field I had to break the route off.  Aaron had forced me up against the
sideline and I had no more room to run.  Zack threw the ball to Bo, who had
gotten open on Angus.

   The next time I lined up against Aaron, I was going to need to get off
the line of scrimmage a little faster and get my pass route adjusted so it
was further from the sideline.  I couldn't allow Aaron to take an angle
where he could run me out of bounds.

   On the third play Coach Burton sent in four wide receivers and a tight
end.  I lined up close to Evan, our tight end.  Anders Voight lined up
between me and Bo Cherry on the outside.  Angus covered Anders, Aaron had
Bo and Leslie Jones was covering me.  Leslie was the shortest and lightest
guy on the team, but also the fastest.  I was running a speed route,
straight to the goal post.

   On the snap I took half a step towards the left, convincing Leslie that
I was going over the middle.  He went left when I started straight down the
field.  Zack would throw me the ball over my right shoulder.  Leslie
recovered quickly and stayed with me stride for stride to my left.  25
yards down the field I looked over my right shoulder for the ball.  Zack's
throw was a little high.  I spun right and jumped.  I caught the ball just
over Leslie's outstretched arms.  Leslie wrapped me up as we landed.  Yasin
Clark smacked us to the ground immediately.

   I was learning this about college ball.  I wasn't going to stroll into
the end zone with touchdowns from missed tackles the way I did in high
school.  Everyone at this level could take you down - every time you had
the ball.  I didn't mind the hard tackle.  I had gained 28 yards on the
play.  That was a good play at any level of football - high school, college
or pros.  Zack gave me a thumbs up as I trotted off the field.  My practice
time with the first string was done for the day.

   I split the rest of my time in practice between the second and third
strong teams.  I was learning some other differences between our teams.  On
first string you better know the plays.  No one gave you any help.  You
just had to know it.  On the second string you got a little instruction in
the plays as you ran them.  Third string went slower.  The coaches took
time on every play to review assignments.  I learned more there than with
the other two teams.

   Mitch Jackson agreed to give me some punts to field after formal
practice was over.  Copper Barnes did some kick offs for me too.  I wanted
as much practice fielding balls as I could get.  In a week I was expected
to do this in front of 107,000 people in Beaver Stadium.  That wasn't the
place to screw up!

   Zack Hayes invited me to join him at his table at dinner.  Zack, Aaron
and Bo all complimented me on my work with the first team.  They told me to
expect to see more of it if I managed to play this well at tomorrow's
scrimmage.  I enjoyed hanging with the older guys on the team.  It reminded
me of my days in ninth grade when I hung with Zack and the rest of the
varsity players.  I also tried to repeat the mantra Zack taught me.  `I'm
just here to learn and help any way I can.'

   Coach Burton had a team meeting back in the auditorium after dinner.  He
went over the plans for the full scrimmage.  He handed out organization
charts.  Zack's Blue Squad would take on Jeremiah's White Squad.  I was
assigned as the kick and punt returner for both teams.  Tanner Riggs would
back me up and take a few kick returns.  Christian would assist with a few
of the punts.  I was also the number three receiver for Jeremiah's squad.

   Christian was up early on Saturday morning, as usual.  I wanted to sleep
later, but couldn't thanks to Christian and also the noise from upper
classmen moving into our dorm.  I finally gave up trying to sleep, showered
and went for breakfast.  I hung out at the Lasch Building for the rest of
the morning.  I did a light workout and studied the playbook until lunch.

   The afternoon scrimmage was fun.  I ended up fielding six kick offs for
the two squads.  Tanner took the other three.  I returned seven punts. 
Christian handled the other three.

   Returning kick offs wasn't bad.  You had a little time to field the ball
before the tacklers got to you.  Punt returns were much worse.  The
tacklers reached you at full speed about the same time as the ball arrived.
You needed to watch them and field the ball simultaneously.

   After each kick off and punt Coach Ferguson reviewed the return with
Christian, Tanner and me.  He complimented me on my kick off returns.  I
almost broke one for a touchdown.  Andrew Perkins managed to take me down
with an ankle tackle after the rest of the team missed me.  Coach Ferguson
told me I called a fair catch on one punt that could have been returned.

   I also missed calling for a fair catch on another that I tried to
return. I knew I screwed up on that call.  Trevor Conwell tackled me at
full speed on the play a split second after I caught the ball.  Trevor put
me down hard.  I managed to keep the ball on the play.

   Coach Ferguson was satisfied with my work for the day.  I stayed at the
top of the depth chart for kick returner and punt returner.  I would be
playing in the game against Kent State next Saturday.

   My dorm mates and I barely had time to shower and get dressed for our
House dinner.  All students living on the fourth floor Hartranft had moved
in.  We met Pete Klein at the elevators on our floor.  Pete let us know
that we now had 58 students living on our floor - 51 in the normal dorm
rooms and 7 guys temporarily in the study room.  It had been 8 guys earlier
in the day but one guy moved into a regular room already.

   The House dinner was intended to help us get to know each other.  Pete
talked about rules, the behavior he expected from us and how to deal with
room mate problems.  The upper classmen weren't nearly as impressed to be
living with football players as the freshmen were.  They confirmed what I
suspected.  Fourth floor Hartranft was one of the floors that normally
housed first or second year football players.  I knew Zack Hayes and Aaron
Morano had roomed here two years ago.  It made sense.

   Freshmen had to go to President Graham Spanier's New Students
Convocation at the Bryce Jordan Center in the evening.  President Spanier
talked about how important a college education was for our future.  He
talked about all the support the university had for us to help us succeed
academically.  He also challenged us to get to know one of our faculty
members.  President Spanier reminded us that we were responsible for our
own academic success or failure.  He asked us to be responsible in our
personal choices too.  High risk drinking and drug use shouldn't be the
norm for college students.  This was our time to grow and mature into
capable adults.  I hadn't wanted to go to the convocation, but was glad I
did.  President Spanier's talk made sense.

   I accepted Christian's invitation to join him and Bev at the 11 o'clock
Protestant services on Sunday.  I hurried back to grab lunch before my
mandatory meeting for all freshmen College of Education students.  We
assembled in 101 Chambers to meet the Dean of Education, Daniel M.  Friar,
and his staff.  The Dean talked about the programs in the College, how we
would choose our area of specialization and about teacher certification.

   I headed over to the Lasch Building to do my day's workout after that. I
grabbed my game jersey on the way back to my room.  Coach Burton wanted all
freshmen to come to the Sunday evening pep rally in uniform.  I headed over
to Rec Hall after dinner, not knowing what to expect.

   The building was filling fast as my teammates and I arrived.  By the
time the rally started the building was filled to the rafters.  The Lion
Ambassadors, a group of students who promoted Penn State pride year round,
organized the "Be A Part From The Start" rally.  They started off with a
slide show to tell us about Penn State and the research and development the
university has done, famous alumni, and our university's athletic success.
They had a lot of pictures from last year's national championship season.

   The Nittany Lion mascot came out to greet the football team members. 
Antwaan Booker, Aaron Morano, Dominic "Cuch" Cuchiella, and Pete Klein were
introduced first.  Zack Hayes, Evan Foster, Bo Cherry and Shawn O'Conner
were introduced to represent the offense.  The twenty-two freshmen members
of the team were introduced en masse.  We ran out to the cheers of our
fellow classmen.  We returned to our seats after the Blue Band led the
group in a fight song.

   The Ambassadors taught everyone the alma mater that night.  We freshmen
football players sang along, among the few participants who actually knew
the words.  They taught more fight songs and the Lion and the cheerleaders
entertained the crowd.  The crowd headed out to the parking lot when the
rally was done.  The Ambassadors set up free food and a DJ for a dance.

   Christian and I hung out with Trevor Conwell, Tony King, Tanner Riggs
and Tanner's room mate Wesley Kennedy.  Bev and her room mate Cindy found
us.  Their next door neighbors, Kelly O'Keefe and Jennifer D'Antonio,
tagged along with Bev and Cindy.  Bev and Christian introduced everyone to
each other.  We talked while we waited for the music to start.

   Bev and Christian headed out to dance as soon as the music started.  The
rest of us watched for a bit.

   Tony and Wes were scoping out the girls around the perimeter of the
dance area.  "Whoa!  Those sisters are tight.  Let's roll Wes." Tony said.
They headed for the knot of black girls across the parking lot.

   Trevor said, "Jennifer, would you like to dance?"

   "Sure." Jennifer replied.  The two headed out into the parking lot to
dance together.

   Tanner leaned over to me and whispered, "You going to be a wall flower
all night Martin, or are you going to dance with one of these girls?"

   "I'm in a serious relationship.  My girlfriend is attending Penn."

   Tanner whispered back, "We're not talking a life time commitment or
anything.  Go dance." Tanner turned to Kelly.  "Kelly, would you like to
dance?"

   Kelly smiled.  "Sure.  I'd like that Tanner."

   Tanner was right.  What harm would come from me dancing with Bev's room
mate?  I asked, "Would you like to dance Cindy?"

   "That would be nice Kyle." Cindy answered.  We headed out to the dance
floor.  Cindy and I danced and then talked between songs.  I found out she
was majoring in meteorology.  She was from Birdsboro, Pa.  - near Reading.
I had fun talking with Cindy, but... I didn't feel any spark there.

   Surreptitiously I gave Kelly more than one glance.  She and Tanner
seemed to be having fun together.  Something about her intrigued me.  Was
it her fair complexion?  The flaming red hair; the gentle curve of her ass
- maybe it was her fine set of tits.  I'd love to get lost in those shapely
beauties.  My cock stirred and started to inflate.  What would it be like
to slip my hard dick into...

   Arrgghhh!  I was fully erect as I fought to bring my imagination into
check.  I already had the most beautiful girl in the world as my
girlfriend. What I really wanted to do was hug Penny to my body.  To kiss
her and then to take her somewhere private where we could make love - sweet
love all night.  God!  I missed her.

   I tried to rearrange my hard cock so it wasn't so obvious.  Cindy
glanced down as I had my hand on my package.  Busted - so busted!  "Sorry,
I hope I'm not embarrassing you." I apologized.

   "No, I've seen boys get hard before.  I'm not embarrassed.  Bev tells me
you have a girlfriend."

   "Penny.  We've been dating since ninth grade.  She's going to the
University of Pennsylvania.  I was thinking about her."

   "I know how you feel Kyle.  I broke up with my high school sweetheart a
week ago.  Jim is going to Virginia Tech." Cindy explained.  "We dated for
two years."

   We talked for a bit more and then got some food.  Cindy and I listened
to the music for awhile and then went back to dancing.  My teammates, Bev,
her girlfriends and I walked back to Pollock Dorms together when the dance
was over.

   It was a little after nine when Christian and I got back to our room.  I
decided to give Penny a call.  Dancing with Cindy and looking at all the
other attractive girls at the dance reminded me of how much I missed my
lover.  We talked for almost an hour.  Penny was shocked that Penn State
started classes tomorrow.  Her classes at Penn didn't start until September
9th.

   Our conversation turned suggestive as we talked longer.  Penny's
comments were quite explicit within a couple minutes.  I had to be more
circumspect.  Christian was on his bed reading his Bible.  I was totally
horny when I said good bye to Penny just before Christian turned the light
out to go to sleep.

   I desperately wanted to wack off but I didn't.  Christian always bitched
about how disgusting and sinful it was.  My cock stayed hard until I
finally fell into an uncomfortable sleep.

   I had a hard-on when the sounds of Christian getting up woke me early
the next morning.  Christian had an 8 o'clock course Monday, Wednesday and
Fridays.  I didn't have my first class until 9:05 am.  I went across the
hall to relieve myself and went back to my room, pulled the curtains and
enjoyed the semi-darkness.

   I took my time stroking myself to climax, trying to remember every
smell, sound and sensation as Penny and I made love before I came to State
College.  I spent almost fifteen minutes bringing myself to climax.  I
exploded when I finally came.  Cum flew everywhere.  It felt great to
relieve my sexual tension.  I had been horny and sexually frustrated for
most of the past three weeks.  I showered, dressed and headed for breakfast
before my first class.

   My first class was Math 110 in 121 Sparks Building.  Sparks is an older
class room building built of yellow brick.  It's on the mall beside the
Pattee Library.  Room 121 was a cavernous lecture hall that could hold
250-300 students.  I was about ten minutes early and most of the seats were
empty.  I found a seat in the middle of the room.  I watched students
arrive while I waited for 9:05 and the start of our class.  Most of the
kids appeared to be freshmen like me - slightly lost and overwhelmed by the
situation we found ourselves in.

   I spotted a friendly face when it was nearly time for class - Melissa
Addington, the girl I helped at the pool when I took my swim test.  She
came in the far door from me and found a seat in the front near that door.
Melissa looked just as good out of the pool as she did in it on Friday.

   An older Indian gentleman walked in the door near me followed by four
mid to late twenties guys, three Asians and another Indian.  One of the
Asians dimmed the lights.  The older gentleman flipped on the projector. 
The first PowerPoint slide said "Techniques of Calculus I"

   The professor announced, "Welcome to Math 110.  I am Doctor Gowravaram."
He continued on describing the curriculum for the course and how it would
run.  We had lectures Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the Sparks lecture
hall.  Thursday I would be with one of his graduate assistants, along with
35 other students.  The Thursday sessions would give us a chance to get
more focused help with our homework or to get answers to questions about
the lectures.

   I headed back to the Lasch Building to work out.  I didn't have another
class until a little after noon.  I grabbed an early lunch and walked back
across campus to the Willard building.  I found Room 165 and stepped
inside. It was another large lecture hall.  I was early so there were only
a few students in the room.  I glanced around and immediately spotted a
friendly face, thanks to the way her flaming red hair stood out.  Kelly
O'Keefe had History 1 too.

   I walked over beside her and asked, "Hi Kelly, do you mind if I sit with
you?"

   "Kyle, hi!  Sure - have a seat." Kelly answered.

   I sat down to her right.  "How have your classes gone so far?"

   "Good.  This is my third and last for today.  I had French 111 and
Communications 160 already."

   "That's cool.  I had Math 110."

   "I'm really looking forward to this class.  I love history.  It's my
favorite subject.  I'm going to be a journalist.  I plan to take as many
history courses while I'm at Penn State as I can fit in my schedule.  I
figure you can't be a good journalist if you don't understand history. 
It'll help me put things I cover in context."

   I replied, "I love history too.  I am planning on becoming a history
teacher."

   "That sounds like fun.  I thought about teaching for awhile but decided
to go with journalism instead.  I love to write."

   I replied, "I like to write too.  It's nothing fancy.  I keep a journal
for myself."

   Our conversation was interrupted by Tanner Riggs.  He walked up to us
and asked sweetly, "Hi Kelly.  Is anyone sitting here?" He pointed at the
chair on the other side of Kelly.

   "No.  Join us Tanner." Kelly answered.

   Tanner looked over at me.  He nodded and said with considerably less
warmth, "Martin."

   "Riggs." I acknowledged.  The arrival of the professor redirected our
attention to the front of the classroom.

   He announced that he was Mr.  McDaniel, the instructor for the course.
We would be covering the Western Heritage from the early Mediterranean to
the Middle Ages.  We would have a lot of reading and some writing.  The
course didn't seem like it would be too hard for me.  I said good bye to
Kelly when class was over fifty minutes later.

   I headed for my last course of the day and the first one in my major -
Educational Psychology - EDPSY 14.  The course was in 112 Chambers, another
large lecture hall.  The room filled rapidly with freshmen future teachers
like me.  I watched my class mates arrive for a few minutes.  I was going
to spend a lot of time in the next four years with these kids.  I glanced
down at my watch.  It was 1:23 pm.  When I looked up again Dr.  Henderson,
my advisor, was standing in the front of the lecture hall.

   Dr.  Henderson announced, "Welcome to `Learning and Instruction'.  We
will be studying the psychology of human learning and applying that
understanding toward the achievement of educational goals.  I am Dr.  P. 
Thomas Henderson, Professor of Education.

   "Many of you will be receiving your first exposure to what it means to
be an educator.  An educator's calling is to pass on the accumulated
knowledge of mankind to the next generation.  This is an awesome
responsibility."

   I thought to myself that Dr.  Henderson was exactly right.  My career
would prepare youth for success in life.

   Dr.  Henderson continued, "Some of you will not be up to the challenge.
More than one third of you will not graduate in this major four years from
now.  You thought teaching sounded like an easy job.  You would get long
vacations in the summer.  You only need to work from 8 to 3 each day."

   I knew that wasn't true about teaching.  I had talked extensively with
my Venturer Crew advisors Joe and Barb Baer in the past couple years.  Both
had set me straight about the time required to be a good teacher.

   Dr.  Henderson slowly scanned the room, making eye contact with many of
the students.  "Some of you think teaching is a job to allow you to
continue your athletic fantasies." Dr.  Henderson's eyes locked onto me. 
"Silly children's games do not advance mankind's situation."

   I pursed my lips and stared back at Dr.  Henderson.  What was this guy's
problem?  I glared at Dr.  Henderson.  He broke eye contact first, turned
away and continued talking.  I didn't hear much as I stewed about the slam
he delivered to me personally.  I needed five minutes to get my emotions
under control.  Dr.  Henderson had started on the day's lesson about
adolescent psychology by the time I was paying attention again.

   I left Chambers for my dorm room.  Someone tapped me on the shoulder
just after I walked outside.  I turned and found Josh Bruno behind me. 
Josh is a freshman linebacker from Binghamton, New York.  Josh asked, "Does
Dr.  Henderson know you?  It seemed like he was talking to you personally
when he made that crack about athletics."

   "He's my advisor." I shook my head.  "I don't know what his problem is.
I met with him Friday morning.  Everything went OK while he went over my
schedule.  He looked at my record and saw I was here on an athletic
scholarship.  Things were weird after that.  I don't think he likes
athletes."

   "I'm glad he doesn't know me." Josh said.

   "I'm going to talk to Evan Foster before practice.  Evan is studying to
be a teacher too.  Maybe he will know what's up with the professor."

   "Let me know what you find out.  It may help me make it through this
guy's course."

   I said, "You got it Josh."

   "See you at practice." Josh said.  He headed towards the library.  I
decided to have some ice cream on the way back to my room.

   I headed over to the Lasch Building early before practice.  I found Evan
in the lounge.  "Hey Evan, do you mind a question?"

   "Sure, what's up Kyle?"

   "I know you're studying to be a teacher.  Do you know a Professor Thomas
Henderson?"

   "Henderson?" Evan chuckled.  "Let me guess - you have EDPSY 14 and he
found out you play football?"

   "How did you know?" I asked.

   "Been there, done that.  Henderson is pretty outspoken in his hatred of
football.  He has written some editorials for the paper calling for the
university to get rid of the football team.  He believes we detract from
the educational mission of the university.  He complains about all the
money spent on football.  He seems to forget that we fund the rest of the
athletic teams in the university."

   "What do I do about him?" I asked.

   "Nothing.  Do your homework, study, do well on your exams.  He may be
biased against us but he does grade fairly.  He will give you good grades
if you do well on your exams.  Minimize the time you need to spend with
Henderson.  It's not like you need to go in and talk with him."

   I explained, "Um... actually I do.  He's my advisor."

   "Oh.  Good luck Kyle.  I'm glad I'm not you." Evan answered.  I thanked
him for the information.  I found Josh Bruno just before practice started.
I filled him in on Evan's recommendations.

   Practice began promptly a 3:45 pm.  It went for 90 minutes.  I practiced
my three plays with the first string offense.  I did OK.  Aaron Morano
batted the ball away on the one.  I caught the other two passes.  Zack
seemed pleased with my progress.  Coach Ferguson had me and Christian
practice fielding punts with Steve Cobb after practice was over.  I had
just enough time for a shower before dinner at the Training Table.  We had
a team meeting after dinner for an hour.

   Coach Burton decided that the team could elect three captains from among
the seniors on the team.  Antwaan Booker, our standout defensive tackle,
was nearly unanimously chosen as one captain.  We only had two seniors
starting on offense.  We choose Bo Cherry as the second captain.  The third
spot was closely contested.  Aaron Morano edged Pete Klein out.  Either of
my friends would be a good captain.

   I started my Math 110 homework in the evening but didn't finish.  It
felt weird to me that I didn't have the class until Wednesday.  I was used
to high school where you had the same classes every day.  You had to finish
your homework that night.  Extra time for homework was going to be OK.

   I sent an e-mail off to Penny to let her know how my day went.  I sent
e-mails to Ed Fritz, Hal Long and Jeremy North too.  I teased Jeremy that
we were getting ready for his team when we played them in 3 ½ weeks here in
State College.  Our game against his team would be our biggest game of the
early season.  Our team was ranked #12 in the preseason polls.  Notre Dame
was ranked #5.  We had lost too many key people to graduation to stay near
the top of the polls after last year's championship.

   I didn't complain Tuesday morning when Christian's alarm went off at
6:45 am.  I got up and headed for the showers a couple minutes after him.
My first class for the day was at 8 o'clock.  I finished showering and
shaving ahead of Christian.  He did a double take when he walked back in
our room.

   "Whoa!  You're up early.  What's up?"

   "I have English Composition at 8 o'clock."

   "You do?  So do I."

   "Cool!  It'll be fun to have a class together." I said.  I hadn't
expected us to have classes in common with Christian being a business major
and me being an education major.

   We headed to breakfast together and then to class.  I checked my
schedule.  Class was in 107 Rackley, right behind Chambers in the northwest
corner of campus.  Christian and I left Pollock Commons after breakfast and
started across the south end of campus.  I walked along.  It seemed like a
strange way to get where we were going but I followed anyway.  I thought
Christian had found a shortcut.  We crossed campus south of the HUB and Old
Main.  I knew something was up when we got to the mall and Christian turned
left and headed for the big stone building in front of us.

   "Where are you going?  Class is in Rackley." I said.

   "No, 109 Sackett Building."

   I laughed.  "I guess we don't have class together.  I'm in room 107 of
the Rackley Building."

   "See you at lunch maybe?" Christian called out as he headed for his
class.

   "Noon?" I answered.  Christian confirmed the time.  I hurried up the
mall past Willard, Sparks and the Pattee Library.  I arrived a couple
minutes before 8 o'clock.  There were plenty of seats left in the room.  I
took one near the front.  The instructor was a young lady, maybe 25 years
old.  She introduced herself as Miss Emily Brookings.

   The small class was a pleasant change from the lecture hall classes I
had most of the time.  We had 24 students in this class.  It went for 75
minutes Tuesdays and Thursdays instead of the usual 50 minutes three times
a week.

   I killed some time after English Comp at the library before I went to my
other class for the day.  I found the periodicals room and spent the 55
minutes reading the Lancaster newspaper to catch up on my world back home.

   I headed across the street, past the Eisenhower Chapel to the Forum.  My
Political Science 1 class was in room 102.  Lots of students were heading
the same way as me.  I walked in the room and found myself in a large
auditorium, larger than the other lecture halls I had been in.  I found a
seat.  Students continued piling into the room.  By 10:10 the auditorium
was full of students, probably 300-400 of us.

   The professor introduced himself as Dr.  Donald M.  Atkins.  He reviewed
the curriculum for the course.  The format was similar to the other large
lecture hall courses.  All 360 of us would be at the Forum Tuesdays and
Thursdays.  I would be in a 30 person class on Friday afternoons with one
of his grad assistants.

   Dr.  Atkins was an excellent lecturer.  I enjoyed his talk about the
founding fathers' deliberations when they were writing our constitution. 
This class was going to be fun.

   I headed back to my dorm room and started on my calculus homework.  I
took a break for lunch with Christian.  Damian, GJ and Shawn Byrd came
along.  I finished up my calculus after lunch and then headed over to the
Lasch Building.

   Coach Ferguson set me up in the video room so I could study kick off and
punt coverage by Kent State, our opponent on Saturday.  I knew I wouldn't
find mistakes or gaps in their coverage.  I didn't know enough yet to find
that.  All I wanted was to get familiar with where and how they covered
punts and kicks so I knew who would come from where when I had to return
the ball on them.

   Practice went well.  Coach Ferguson was pleased with my work as a
returner.  Mitch Jackson agreed to give Christian and me some extra
practice when the formal practice was over.  We had to hurry to get to the
Training Table in time for dinner.  We had position meetings after dinner
until 8 o'clock.

   I needed an hour and a half to finish my Math 110 homework.  I still had
reading to do for History and ED PSY.  I finished the required reading for
history at 10:30, well after Christian had gone to bed.  I stripped down to
my boxers and was ready to climb into bed when I remembered Penny.  I fired
up my laptop and checked my e-mail.  I read Penny's e-mail to me and sent
of a response.  Andy had sent me an e-mail too.  It would have to wait for
tomorrow.  It had been a busy day even though I only had two classes.  I
fell asleep immediately.

   Wednesday was more of the same - Get up, get breakfast, go to Math 110
where Dr.  Gowravaram went over things I had already learned in high
school, read my EDPSY assignment, and grab lunch.  I ran into Kelly
O'Keefe, Tanner Riggs and Kelly's roommate at lunch.  We ate together. 
Kelly, Tanner and I walked to history class together.  Mr.  McDaniel's
history lecture was interesting.  I headed on to Chambers and Dr. 
Henderson's lecture on adolescent psychology.  Dr.  Henderson obviously
felt education was a critical element to a civilized society.  I agreed
with him.  He didn't have any cracks about football and athletics that day.

   I went to the Lasch Building and worked out until it was time for
practice.  I got a few repetitions with the first string to practice the
three plays I was going to do in the game on Saturday.  I asked Cooper
Barnes to do some kicks so I could practice fielding kick-offs.  He told me
he couldn't and that I should go talk with Coach Ferguson.

   I found him in his office in the Lasch Building.  I stuck my head in the
door and asked, "You wanted to see me Coach"

   "Yes, come in and have a seat Kyle."

   I sat down in the chair in front of his desk.  Coach Ferguson said, "I'm
pleased to see how hard you are working to get ready for the game on
Saturday Kyle." I smiled at his praise.  "I need you to slow down things a
little.  Your extra practice after the team practice is over will wear out
my kicker's legs."

   "I just want to be ready to play Coach."

   "You are Kyle.  You field the ball cleanly on punts and kicks.  You will
do fine on Saturday."

   I asked, "Can't I get more reps on fielding punts and kicks?"

   "I'll arrange a little extra time for next week, if I think you need it
after Saturday's game."

   "OK Coach." I answered.  I hoped he was right.  I didn't feel all that
confident at fielding the ball.  The last thing I wanted for my debut in
Beaver Stadium was to embarrass myself and hurt the team.

   I had a special teams meeting after dinner.  I had to write an essay for
English Comp that evening.  I read my e-mails when I finished my essay. 
Penny was frantically gathering everything she would need for college.  She
only had a few days until she reported to Penn.

   Andy sent me a long e-mail.  He filled me in on our high school football
team.  Jake Kring was outstanding as Ed's replacement as starting
quarterback.  Jake, Kenny Weaver and Brett Fulmer were chosen as the team
captains.  Andy predicted that the Wolverines would make the playoffs and
make another run at the state championship again.  He said everything felt
right with the team.

   Andy told me more about the Venturer Crew's wilderness canoe trip to
Algonquin Provincial Park.  My sister Liz had sent me an e-mail last week.
All it said was they had fun.  Andy expanded on that theme for me.  Mark
Good had led one crew with his girlfriend Kayla Hancock's help.  Eric
Connell and Samantha Hoover led the other crew.  Eric's crew included my
sister Liz and her boyfriend Cody Stevens.

   The group did a loop trip from Opeongo Lake to Merchant Lake, Burnt Root
Lake, Catfish Lake, Hogan Lake, Big Crow Lake and then back to Opeongo
Lake. The weather was fantastic.  They only had one rainstorm in the whole
trip and it was for an hour in the middle of the night.  They had seen a
lot of wildlife, including a dozen moose.  One of them wandered right
through their campsite on Burnt Root Lake.

   Eric told Andy that one our crew's traditions had not changed.  Most of
the participants were part of boy-girl couples.  The couples were allowed
to share tents.  Liz and Cody had shared a tent and each other's bodies
through most of the trip.  It was depressing for me.  My little sister was
getting more sex than me!

   Cody and Liz had a fight late in the trip.  Eric said they bickered for
the last two days.  Andy said that their nine month romance was
inextricably shattered by the time they got home.  Neither Liz nor Cody
would say what happened.

   I sent Andy an e-mail thanking him for all the information from home.  I
asked him to give his sons Connor and Noah a kiss for me.  I sent one off
to Liz too expressing my condolences about her and Cody breaking up.

   Thursday's English Comp and Poly Sci classes went well.  I had my Math
110 study session with Dr.  Gowavaram's grad assistant at Room 325 in
Sackett Building.  Melissa Addington ended up in the same class as me. 
That was good.  The bad news was who I got as my instructor for the study
session - Bai Huo Wen.  I'm sure Mr.  Bai was a brilliant mathematician but
he couldn't teach to save his life.  He spoke in heavily accented English.
I couldn't understand anything he told us in class.  I was going to have to
depend on my homework and Dr.  Gowavaram's flawlessly spoken British
accented explanations to get through calculus.

   I fielded every punt and kick on the afternoon's special teams practice.
I knew I should feel ready but I was nervous.  Christian reassured me that
I would do well on Saturday at the game.

   I spent most of Thursday evening studying my playbook.  I wanted to know
as much as possible.  I had dreamed of playing big time college football
for the past two years.  Here I was 36 hours from playing my first game. 
All I could think of was `Be careful what you wish for, you may get it.'
Was I ready to play football at this level?  I didn't know.

   I mostly paid attention in classes on Friday.  Tomorrow's game was
always on my mind.  I calmed down a little during football practice.  The
familiar routine comforted me.

   I went in to talk to Coach Burton when I finished my shower after
practice.  I had an important question I needed answered.  Coach asked me
to sit at the chair in front of his desk.  He asked, "What's up Kyle?"

   "I wanted to know if there are any rules against me wearing an extra
patch on my uniform jersey tomorrow during the game."

   "What did you have in mind?"

   "I had a teammate in high school that was a close friend.  He was killed
in a car accident when he was a senior.  I wanted to wear the memorial
patch that my high school team wore last year." I showed the coach the
black diamond patch we had with Greg Harrison's number 82 on it.  I
explained about how Greg was supposed to be playing at Boston College now,
if it hadn't been for the drunk that ran the red light and killed him.

   "I'm sorry Kyle.  The NCAA is very strict about uniform adornments.  The
whole team can wear a memorial patch like that, but only with special
permission.  We aren't allowed to have individuals wear a patch like that.
I am sorry."

   "OK" I replied dejectedly.

   "You can probably find another article of clothing to mark to remember
your friend.  No one will check your T-shirt or inside your helmet." Coach
Burton suggested.

   "Thanks for the suggestion Coach." I replied.  I headed back to the
locker room.  I swore I would always remember Greg.  I'd find something to
use to memorialize him for tomorrow's game.

   I headed back to the locker room.  I wanted to get set today instead of
in the rush tomorrow morning to get ready for the game.  I found a roll of
tape and a marker.  I wrote the number 82 on the tape.  Zack Hayes walked
by as I was writing Greg's number.

   "What's up buddy?" Zack asked.

   "It's just something for... for..." I took a deep breath.  "For Greg
Harrison.  I promised myself that I would keep his memory alive."

   "That's a fabulous idea.  What are you going to do with the tape?" Zack
asked.

   "I'm going to put inside my helmet." I answered.  I cut the piece of
tape and pasted it into my helmet.

   Zack said, "That's a great idea Kyle.  Can I have the tape when you're
done with it?" Zack had been quarterback for our high school team the year
Greg and I started on varsity.  Zack had helped Greg turn himself into a
good tight end the same way he helped me become a good wide receiver.

   "Sure." I handed the tape and marker to Zack.  He wrote 82 on a piece of
tape and stuck it inside of his helmet.

   Zack and I headed back to Pollock Commons for dinner.  Coach Burton had
a team meeting after dinner.  He and the other coaches reviewed our game
plan with us.  Coach Paterno came in to give us a pep talk.  I was sorry I
never got to play for Coach Paterno.  I could see what a great football
mind he had.  His comments were incisive and directly on point.

   I wasn't worried that we would lose to Kent State.  We would win.  Kent
State was a small school that had little business playing against Penn
State.  They were here for us to use to tune up our team before "real"
season started.  We'd thump them and we'd pay them a lot of money for
playing us.  The only way they could win was if a bunch of us screwed up -
if we gave them a lot of points with fumbles, if Zack threw some
interceptions, or if we didn't execute our offense.

   I wanted to make sure I wasn't one of the guys that gave the game away.
I had one of the most dangerous jobs on the team.  Kent State could score
an easy touchdown if I dropped a ball on a kickoff or punt.  No one was
behind me to tackle a ball carrier if I screwed up.  I worried about how I
would do all evening.

   Some of the guys down at the other end of our floor at the dorm had a
party with loud music going.  I was glad the party wasn't beside my room. I
hoped sleep would finally calm me down.  It didn't.  I tossed and turned
half the night, going over everything to make sure I was ready to play.  I
fell asleep some time after 1 am.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------------

   I glanced at my clock when I woke up the next morning.  If was 8:28.  My
room was quiet and dark, except for a hint of light peaking around the
edges of the drawn curtains.  Christian was no where around.  I grabbed my
robe and shower stuff and headed across the hall for a shower.

   One other guy was taking a shower when I went in.  I grabbed a shower
stall and cleaned up for the day.  Cameron Miller, a freshman who had the
room beside mine was at the sink when I went to brush my teeth.

   "Good morning Kyle.  Are you going to play today?"

   "Morning Cameron.  Yes, I'm returning punts and kicks."

   "Cool.  I'll be in the stands cheering for you." Cameron said.

   "Thanks Cameron." I answered.  Cameron and his roommate Joel Peterson
had room 406, beside mine.  They seemed like decent guys.  I thought we
would get along, maybe even get to be friends this year.

   I headed back to my room when I finished in the bathroom, dressed and
headed for the dining hall for a light breakfast.  The team had an early
lunch at the Training Table later that morning.  I went straight to the
Lasch Building.  I found team members engaged in all kinds of activities to
pass the time and to prepare themselves for the game.  Some guys were in
the player's lounge playing video games.  Guys were playing pool and
foosball.  Jeremiah Nowak and Derek Whitaker boisterously celebrated their
foosball victory over Anders Voight and Yasin Clark.  Some guys sat at
their lockers and relaxed as they listened to music.  A few guys had their
playbooks out and studied to get themselves ready.

   Antwaan Booker, Jake Washington, Memed Marsic and Naeem Sanders held
court at their cluster of lockers.  They were our starting defensive line.
I wasn't surprised to see Zack Hayes with his playbook out studying for the
game.  Jay Nicholson was studying with him.  It was quite a contrast to
Zack's other back-ups - Jeremiah, Glenn Corbel and Colin O'Shea.  They were
goofing around.  Zack had prepared himself for high school games the same
way.  He always wanted to know more about the game.

   I was surprised that Jay was studying with Zack.  He was red-shirted
this year.  He wasn't going to play.  He wasn't even going to dress for any
game this year.  Jay simply wanted to learn as much as he could from Zack
this year.

   I decided Zack's example was a good one to follow.  I found a quiet
corner of the lounge, put on my headphones and went over the special teams
plays and passing plays I expected I would need to know.  I hoped studying
would calm my nerves.  The butterflies in my stomach were churning.

   I started thinking about the things that could go wrong.  What if I
misjudged a kick-off?  The ball was live.  The other team could take the
ball if I didn't field it.  That would be a gimmee touchdown for them. 
What if I fumbled after a hard hit?  And then there were punts - I had to
field the ball a split second before a bunch of 240-280 pound monsters came
to splatter me on the ground.

   With each imagined catastrophe my stomach churned a little more.  Was I
really ready to play with the big boys?  I could feel breakfast heaving,
trying to come up.  I dashed for the bathroom, barely in time to get my
head over a toilet.  I upchucked my breakfast.  I felt completely drained.

   Someone patted me on the back.  "Are you OK Kyle?" It was Aaron Morano.

   "I guess."

   "Nerves?" Aaron asked.

   "Yeah, I guess." I admitted.

   Aaron helped me get cleaned up.  I felt embarrassed at letting my fears
get to me.  Aaron helped.

   "You know I did the same thing when I was a freshman.  Coach Paterno put
me in to return punts on the third game of the season.  I was terrified of
screwing up."

   "I know that feeling." I replied.

   "You have sure hands.  You have practiced fielding balls more than
anyone I have seen in the past four summers.  You have good instincts on
the field.  You won't screw up.  I predict you are going to have big day."

   "Really?"

   "You bet Kyle.  Don't think about what can go wrong.  Think about how
you're going to blast through the holes your blockers get you.  The coaches
wouldn't let you play today if they didn't think you were ready."

   Aaron went over the punt and kick off coverages that Kent State used. 
We talked until it was time for the team to go to lunch.  I felt better
thanks to Aaron.  Kent State needed to worry about what I was going to do
to them not the other way around.

   The freshmen mostly congregated together in the dining hall.  I wasn't
the only freshman who knew he was going to be on the field.  Damian
Thompson, Wes Kennedy, Tony King, Greg Nowicki, and Shawn Byrd were on the
cover teams for punts and kicks.  Damian, Wes, Tony and Greg were part of
the wedge that blocked for me.  Shawn's job was to run with the gunners
(the fast guys who ran down the return man) and block them away from me.

   The team caught buses to Beaver Stadium after lunch.  Campus overflowed
with Penn State fans in blue and white.  Nearly all were heading to the
stadium like us.  Some of the crowd recognized that we were the football
team and shouted encouragement to us as we made our way to the stadium
locker room.

   Aaron's talk helped calm my nerves.  When we hit the locker room we
started to dress.  I was in my comfort zone again - my routine.  I put on
pads and my uniform.  The jersey was blue instead of red like I used to. 
The number wasn't my usual 87 but that was OK.  The helmet is all white
with a blue stripe down the center instead of red with white trim.  The
short socks would take some getting used to.  We always had long socks that
met our pant bottoms below our knees.  Here at Penn State we played with
bare calves.  The black shoes were strange to me but I would get used to
them I guess.

   We headed out for warm-ups.  I took a look around the stadium.  Fans
were coming in and finding their seats.  A large group was in the student
section.  Presumably they were residents of Paternoville, the tent city
that formed a couple days before each home game.  These students wanted to
make sure they got the best seats in the student section.

   I stared around the stadium.  Tiers of seats stacked above each other,
club seating, and suites - this place was huge.  It was sold out too.  The
game was sold out.  Kent State wasn't a big draw.  Virtually all our games
sold out.  Demand for our games was that high.

   Apparently Aaron Morano was watching out for me.  He tapped my on the
shoulder.  "Kyle?"

   I looked at Aaron.  He waved to the surroundings.  "It's all scenery
Kyle.  Look down here." He pointed at the football field.  "You know what
to do on the field.  Don't pay attention to anything else.  You take care
of the football.  Everything else will take care of itself."

   "OK, take care of the football." I answered.  Steve Cobb waved for me
before I had more time to think.  I was supposed to field his punts while
he warmed up.  I caught some passes from Colin O'Shea when Steve was warmed
up.  I noticed the stands were filling when we went back into our locker
room.

   Coach Burton gave us a quick pep talk and then most of the team
participated in a prayer before we went out for the game.  We headed out to
the tunnel to wait for introductions and the start of the game.  The
offense was going to be introduced this week.  Aaron Morano hung out with
me.

   The offensive line was introduced first.  Evan Foster drew quite few
cheers when he was introduced.  Bo Cherry and Derek Whitaker drew fewer
cheers.  Derek was new to starting and Bo was an after thought as a starter
last year beside all-star Glenn Walker.  Vlad Lazlo, our big fullback from
Pottstown, received scattered applause.  Shawn O'Conner received the
loudest cheers of the afternoon.  Zack Hayes received some applause and
cheers as he was introduced.

   Zack had been a fan favorite as Phil DiStefano's backup the previous two
years.  He was the starter now and he needed to prove himself.  I chuckled
to myself.  I thought I had to face pressure returning punts and kickoffs.
I didn't have anything to worry about compared to Zack.  My buddy faced the
real pressure.  He had to lead the offense and satisfy fans hungry for a
repeat national championship.

   The rest of the team ran out across the field to our sideline when the
cheers for Zack died down.  Coach Ferguson called the special teams kickoff
players around him to talk while Antwaan Booker, Aaron Morano and Bo Cherry
went to midfield to meet Kent State's captains for the coin toss.

   We won the toss.  Kent State chose to defend western end zone.  Coach
Ferguson grabbed me and said, "Martin.  Concentrate on fielding the ball.
Follow the wedge.  Watch for the hole.  Shoot through when it opens."

   "Got it coach." I said.  I trotted out onto the field and took my spot
at the five yard line near the end zone facing Mount Nittany.  I thought to
myself, `Concentrate on the ball.' as I waited.

   Kent State's kicker boomed the ball down the field to me.  I watched the
ball's flight and drifted back a couple yards.  This was going to be a
returnable kick.  I settled under the ball as it descended to the ground. I
caught it with my hands out in front of my chest.  I cradled the ball into
my chest and then tucked it away under my right arm.

   I scanned downfield to see how my blocking was doing.  Shawn Byrd was
lined up to block the speedster on the left side.  I scanned across the
field.  My wedge was forming up.  I started to run forward at half speed to
get behind them.  On the right Tyler Madden was engaging the speedster on
his side of the field.

   I followed the blocking wedge down the field, about five yards behind
them.  I watched as Kent State's players engaged my blockers.  Tony King,
at the apex of the blocking wedge pushed his guy back and to the left. 
Damian Thompson, on Tony's right, hit his guy and pushed him to the right.

   In a split second they had a seam open for me.  I recognized it and
kicked into high gear.  I sprinted through the crack in the defense between
Tony and Damian.  I felt a hand grab at my leg as I cleared the jumble of
players at the blocking wedge.  I kicked hard as I ran and felt the hand
slip away.

   I scanned down the field.  The only players in front of me were number
53, obviously a linebacker and the kicker.  Number 53 was positioned to the
left of center on the field, about five yards down the field from me.  I
angled to the right and ran as hard as possible.

   The linebacker had a bad angle.  I broke away from him as he desperately
tried to grab me by his fingertips as I passed him.

   The kicker drifted right with me to try for the tackle.  Their kicker
was a small guy.  I doubt he was more than 5'-9" and 160 pounds.  He went
low to try to take my legs out and make the tackle.  I side stepped and
jumped over him as we met.

   I scanned the field when I passed the kicker.  I saw Shawn out of the
corner of my eye a step behind me and to my left.  I continued running.  I
noticed Tyler Madden a step behind me to my right.  I sprinted for the end
zone with my escort.  No Kent State player was going to catch me!  I ran
into the end zone untouched.

   I held the ball aloft to the delight of the Penn State fans.  Shawn
grabbed me and hugged.  "Damn good job Kyle!"

   Tyler hugged us both and added, "Way to go man." More of the team joined
our celebration.  I couldn't hear what anyone was saying.  We were in the
three deck end of the stadium.  The noise was deafening as the fans
cheered, applauded and stomped their feet on the metal decks.

   I finally handed the ball to a referee and jogged for my sideline. 
Coach Ferguson met me.  "Good job Martin.  Way to follow your blocks."
Coach Ferguson turned immediately to getting the field goal team on the
field to kick the extra point.

   I looked around for Tony and Damian.  I needed to thank them for their
blocks.  When I couldn't find them on the sideline I realized that they
were on the field goal and kick off teams.  They had work to do right now.
I waited until after we made the extra point and we had kicked off to the
Golden Flashes.

   I found Tony first.  I gave the big black freshman linebacker a hug. 
"Thanks man that was a fantastic block you gave me."

   "I'm glad it helped Kyle.  I think we can do that a lot with your
speed." Tony said.

   I searched our sideline until I found Damian.  I gave him a slap on the
back.  "Thanks for the great block Damian." I declared.

   "No problem Kyle.  I enjoyed it.  It's probably the only kind of hitting
I get to do today."

   Kent State was a Bowl Championship Series (BCS, formerly known as
Division I-A) team like us.  They played in the Mid-America Conference. 
The teams in their conference weren't going to be mistaken for a Big Ten,
SEC or ACC team.  They were major underdogs who ended up playing as
expected.

   Zack Hayes threw for two touchdowns in the first half.  Shawn O'Conner
was able to run the ball well.  I went in for one of my pass plays from the
slot in the second quarter.  I picked up 15 yards going over the middle.  I
lowered my shoulder when the free safety came up to make the tackle.  He
tackled me but he also went backwards when we collided.  I didn't mind
dealing out a little punishment.

   We went into the locker room at half time with a 21-0 lead.  The coaches
reviewed our work.  We didn't need to make any adjustments.  Coach Ferguson
was happy with my work with punt and kick returns.

   Kent State took the second half kickoff, ran three plays and punted back
to us.  I had to call for a fair catch because their coverage was too good
for a decent return.  Zack led the offense back onto the field.

   I went in for another pass play on third down.  It was the play where I
start in the slot and go in motion to the sideline, exchanging places with
Bo Cherry.  Kent State didn't move their best cornerback over to cover Bo.
He stayed with me.  I ran down the sideline at the snap, followed by the
cornerback.  Zack fired the ball to Bo, who beat the nickel back.  I went
back to the sideline after that play.  Zack continued moving the team down
the field with a mix of passes and runs that kept the Golden Flashes off
balance.  Zack fired a touchdown to Bo on the tenth play of the drive.  The
PAT brought us to a 28-0 lead.

   Coach Burton put the second string in after the fourth touchdown.  I
went in for a few plays as the slot or number 3 receiver for the second
string.  Kent State didn't have any more luck offensively against the
second string.  The score was still 28-0 as we went into the fourth
quarter.

   Coach Burton took advantage of the mismatch to get everyone into the
game.  Glenn Korbell and Colin O'Shea each ran the offense for a series
when the third string went in the game.  Christian and I split time with
Max Rosen and Tanner Riggs as the wide receivers.  The coaches concentrated
on running the ball and burning the time off the clock to end the game. 
Jelani Hill, a sophomore; Wyatt Smith and Damian Thompson, both freshmen,
shared time at tailback.  Wes Kennedy took over blocking duties as the
fullback.  We just pounded the ball at Kent State.

   I saw what my friend Ed Fritz said about Damian last summer when they
played against him in the high school seniors only, East vs.  West game. 
Damian hit you like a battering ram when he carried the ball up the middle.
It's hard to believe someone like him couldn't get a scholarship at Penn
State.  He was here as a walk-on player.  We were lucky to have him.

   Kent State finally got their offense going against our inexperienced
third string defense.  They managed to drive the ball in for their first
touchdown.  We answered with a long drive, mostly us running the ball.  The
other wide receivers and I had to be satisfied with blocking on the running
plays.  Colin and Damian got confused during the handoff on a second down
and six to go.  We lost a couple yards.  I got to catch a pass on the third
and eight play.  I made ten yards.  We continued running the ball until our
drive stalled inside the 20 yard line.  We kicked a field goal to bring the
score to 31-7 our favor.  We left 2 ½ minutes on the clock.

   Kent State managed to move the ball down the field in spite of our
pressure on the quarterback.  Trevor Conwell, playing at left defensive
end, sacked the Flash's quarterback once and harassed him on every play. 
The quarterback still managed to complete passes.  Kent State scored a
second touchdown with 38 seconds left on the clock.

   Kent State's kicker blasted the ball into the end zone on the last
kickoff.  I fielded the ball five yards in the end zone.  I almost kneeled
down when Tyler Madden frantically waved for me to return the ball.  I
sprinted out of the end zone and got behind my blocking wedge.  When things
broke down in the wedge I ran to the left where I saw an opening.  One of
the Kent State players finally pushed me out of bounds at our 33 yard line.
Colin O'Shea came in for two kneel downs to end the game.  The final score
was 31-14 Penn State.

   This had been a good game for us to get experience for the young guys on
the team.  I had a good day.  I ended up with 162 yards on my three kick
returns along with the touchdown.  I had 3 fair catches on punt returns and
5 returns for 67 yards.  I caught two of the three passes sent my way for
27 yards.  All my worries about if I could perform in front of 107,000
people against Division I-A competition were for naught.  I could do this!

   I watched at the end of the game as Zack Hayes, Bo Cherry, Antwaan
Booker and Aaron Morano did interviews with the media.  I was off bounds
for them.  Penn State didn't allow reporters to interview freshmen.

   Our locker room was bedlam.  60-70 reporters, cameramen and other
technicians joined us as we changed and cleaned up after the game.  They
went from locker to locker interviewing players.

   Mr.  Montgomery, the sports editor for the Lancaster evening paper,
stopped by my locker.  He said, "Good Game Coach." My high school teammates
had given me that nickname when I hurt my leg and couldn't play.

   "Thanks Mr.  Montgomery.  Don't call me `Coach' here.  I haven't earned
that name.  I barely know what I'm doing."

   "Sorry Kyle.  You looked like you knew what you were doing today.  You
had an excellent game."

   "Thank you.  I only learned a little bit of the offense.  What you saw
today is everything I know."

   "It looked good to me.  Keep up the good work son.  I always enjoy it
when a local boy makes good."

   "Go talk to Zack.  He had a hell of a game." I suggested.

   "That's where I'm going.  Good luck." Mr.  Montgomery said as he headed
for the crowd of reporters around Zack Hayes' locker.

   Aaron Morano, Antwaan Booker and Shawn O'Conner all entertained clusters
of reporters.  The team was upbeat after the game.  We showered and dressed
while the reporters finished their interviews and slowly dispersed.

   Aaron and Zack stopped by my locker when most of the reporters
dispersed. He had a big grin on his face.  "Good job today Kyle.  I'm proud
of you."

   Aaron added, "I told you things would work out Kyle."

   "Thanks for helping me get my head together this morning.  I owe you
Aaron."

   Most of the team headed over to the Training Table for dinner.  I sat
with a group composed mostly of my fellow freshmen and friends.  I made
sure to praise Tony King and Damian Thompson again for their great blocks
that allowed me to score my touchdown.

   Zack Hayes stopped by our table.  "I'm throwing a party at my apartment
tonight.  All of you are invited."

   Christian asked, "Can I bring my girlfriend?"

   "Sure.  The more girls the better.  Ask her to invite that lovely
roommate of hers and any other friends she wants."

   Christian replied, "Thanks Zack."

   "The party starts around 8 o'clock.  I hope I see you there." Zack said
as he left.

   Karol Ziska and later Antwaan Booker stopped by.  Each let us know about
a party they and their friends were throwing.  We had our choice of places
to go for the evening.

   I walked over to Zack's apartment with Christian and Bev when it was
time go to the party.  Bev's roommate Cindy already had plans with their
neighbors Kelly and Jen, so it was just the three of us.

   A few people had arrived ahead of us.  I headed straight for the kitchen
and grabbed a beer.  I went back to the living room and sat down on the
couch with Jay Nicholson.  Jay complimented me on my touchdown.  He was a
little down that night.

   Jay said, "I didn't think it was going to be so hard being red-shirted.
Most of the freshmen on the team got on the field today.  I stood on the
sidelines and couldn't play.  It's killing me."

   "Think about what this year will get you.  In two years when Zack is
gone you will be perfectly positioned to take over at quarterback.  You'll
know the offense.  You'll get three years to run the team after that.  It's
a good deal."

   "I know that in my head.  I've never missed a year of football.  It's
killing me." Jay explained.

   "I understand." I pointed to the scars on my left knee.  "I lost 2/3 of
a season when I blew out my ACL.  It drove me crazy not to play football."

   "You lost your ACL?  It sure doesn't show now."

   "I had a great surgeon.  He fixed me up as good as new."

   Jay and I talked some more about Zack's play during the game.  I found
out that Jay was a real student of the game, same as me.  It was fun
analyzing how the game had gone with him.  When our beers were gone I
offered to get more for us.  I headed for the kitchen.

   Johara Sofay spotted me and made a beeline for me, intercepting me
before I got to the kitchen.  Johara and I had spent a very enjoyable
evening (and morning) together two years ago on my first recruiting visit.
We had squeezed three very memorable sessions that night rocking Zack's
bed.

   Johara pushed me up against the wall and hugged me tight to her lithe
body.  "Hi Kyle.  Welcome to Penn State." Her tits were mashed against my
chest.  My cock started to inflate.  She realized immediately and rubbed
herself against the bulge.  "You made a great play at the beginning of the
game today."

   "Thanks." I managed to squeak.  I noticed over Johara's shoulder that
Jay was giving me a knowing look and a thumbs up.

   Johara stared into my eyes while she kept me in place with the tight
embrace.  "We could go back to my room later tonight for a good screw if
you want Kyle."

   I finally found my voice.  "I have a serious girlfriend Johara.  I'd
like to spend the night with you but I can't."

   She rubbed against my erection one more time and gave me a kiss on the
cheek.  "Too bad.  Let me know if that changes.  I'd like to hook up with
you again.  You're a special guy in bed."

   I returned the kiss on the cheek.  "I'll keep you in mind if Penny and I
ever break up." I broke free from her embrace and grabbed a couple beers
from the fridge.  I headed back to the couch to rejoin Jay.

   "Damn.  You know you could have gotten laid tonight Kyle." Jay
explained. "She has a thing for young guys.  Not that you get a second
chance with her.  The first time is a lot of fun."

   "I know Jay.  We slept together two years ago when I did an unofficial
visit." I went on to explain about spending the night with Johara in Zack's
bedroom.

   "Wow.  That's surprising she doesn't usually go to bed with a guy more
than once." Jay said.

   "I think she liked what I did to her with my tongue."

   "Ewwww....  You don't!  Do you?"

   I shook my head yes.  Why do so many guys my age think it's gross to
lick a girl's pussy?  "Hell yeah.  I always lick their pussies.  Why do you
think I get laid so often?" Jay and I proceeded to compare sexual notes.  I
was horny and frustrated because I hadn't been laid in a month and only
twice in almost three months.  Jay was relatively happy.  He had screwed
his date a couple weeks before football camp started - over six weeks ago.
I was used to getting pussy two or three times a week.  Jay was used to
getting it three or four times a year.

   I suggested, "Next time you get the chance with a girl, try it Jay.  You
aren't going to believe how much girls love it."

   "Man, I don't know Kyle.  How did you find out about this?"

   "Partly from my older brother.  You have no idea how hard it was for me
in eighth grade.  I had to listen to my brother screw his girlfriend in the
next bedroom nearly every day.  I didn't have a clue exactly what Will was
doing to Abby but I knew she loved it from all the squeals and moans.  I
learned more the next fall from Zack."

   "Our Zack?" Jay asked.

   "Sure.  You've noticed how he always seems to have two, three, maybe
four girls hanging on him at every party?"

   "Yeah."

   "Girls consider Zack to be good looking.  He has a reputation for being
good in bed.  He's always got a group of hot babes with him.  He'll pick
out one to sleep with.  The rest of them are looking for sex, don't need a
serious commitment and may just settle for another guy.  I learned a lot
from Zack hanging out with him when I was in ninth grade."

   The two of us looked over at Zack.  Johara, Miranda Brooks and a couple
more girls I didn't know surrounded Zack, flirting with him.  I suggested,
"You should go hang with Zack.  If you get lucky tonight, dive in and use
that tongue.  You'll be pleased with the results.  You'll get invited back
in her bed again."

   Jay sighed.  "I guess I don't have anything to lose." Jay headed over to
the join the group of girls around Zack.

   I headed back to the refrigerator for another beer.  I guess helping a
friend get laid counts as doing a good turn for someone.  I'm not sure Mr.
Clark, my scoutmaster, would agree.  If the situation was reversed and Jay
helped me get laid, I'd think it was.

   I hung out with Christian, Bev, Max Rosen and Tanner Riggs for awhile. A
couple girls joined our group.  We talked and flirted with them.  Christian
and Bev drifted away to talk with Aaron Morano and his girlfriend Tania.

   The girls were Chelsea Wright and Rachel Moore.  Rachel was a dark
haired sophomore.  She pulled her hair back in a pony tail similar to the
way my girlfriend Penny often did.  Rachel was 5'-6" tall, gently curving
body.  Chelsea was a blond with shoulder length hair.  She was slightly
taller than Rachel.

   I found out Chelsea was a freshman too and she was studying to become a
teacher like me.  She was in my EDPSY 14 class.  I had fun talking with
her.

   Zack and Johara decided to get together that night.  They headed
upstairs to Zack's bedroom.  The other girls wandered off looking for
another football player to spend the evening with.  One of the girls I
didn't know ended up making out on the couch with Jay.

   I grabbed another beer from the kitchen.  I sat with GJ DeLuca, Anders
Voight and Bo Cherry.  Bo and Anders entertained us with stories of Joe
Paterno.  We grabbed refills on our beers and continued sharing stories of
our exploits on the football field.

   It was close to midnight when I finally decided to head back to my room.
Jay was leaving with one of the girls he met when he was hanging out with
Zack earlier in the evening.  He gave me a wink and a thumbs up as he
escorted the girl out.

   I had a good buzz going as I walked back to my dorm room.  Four beers
were more than I really had intended to have.  The beers dulled my senses
some but not enough.  Johara's advances, the time spent talking with Rachel
and Chelsea, Zack getting laid tonight, and probably Jay getting some too
reminded me of how much I missed Penny.

   Christian was dead to the world when I got back to our room.  I stripped
in the dark and laid down on my bed.  I thought about Jay probably greasing
his pole with the cute girl he left the party with.  Zack took Johara to
bed with him.  Damn!  She smelled great tonight.  My cock sprang erect when
I thought about how she hugged me tonight and rubbed against my cock.  I
could have stuffed my prick in her hot pussy.

   I pulled my boxers off and dropped them on the floor.  I put a dollop of
hand cream on my palm and rubbed my hard cock.  I only lasted a couple
minutes before I shot strings of cum all over my chest.  I fell asleep
temporarily satiated.

   Chapter 3

   =========

   I woke up on Sunday morning with a pounding headache.  I shouldn't have
had so many beers last night.  It was a few minutes before 11 am. 
Christian was gone, presumably on his way to church at the chapel by now. I
took a couple of aspirin, drank a lot of water and went for a long hot
shower.  All of it helped a little.  I still felt bad, but not as bad as
when I got up.

   My mood wasn't helped by the fact that I forgot to e-mail Penny
yesterday.  I had promised her I would never go to bed without sending her
an e-mail.  I didn't want to fall into the trap of ignoring her while we
were separated.  I sent her an e-mail abjectly apologizing for forgetting
her yesterday.

   I started my homework for tomorrow's classes.  Football had consumed all
my time Friday afternoon and evening and all day Saturday.  I had a lot of
work to do.  I expected Christian and Bev to stop by on the way to lunch.
At a quarter to one I decided they probably had ditched me and gone
straight to lunch.  I headed over to Pollock Commons for lunch.

   I grabbed a couple Danish and a couple glasses of orange juice.  I
scanned the room and didn't see any of my friends.  I found a partly empty
table and had a seat at one end.  I hadn't eaten for more than a couple
minutes when I was joined by a bleary eyed Jay Nicholson.  Jay looked as
bad as I felt - with one difference: he had a huge grin on his face.

   "I owe you man.  I owe you big time!" Jay gushed as he sat down beside
me.

   "How's that?"

   "Your advice last night.  Brittany loved it!  I wish some one had told
me about licking cunt before.  What a night!"

   "I'm happy for you.  Is Brittany the girl that left the party with you?"
I asked.

   "Brittany Ford.  She's a sophomore nursing student.  She's amazing in
bed.  Usually I spend a little time with the girl talking after we fuck and
then split.  Brittany came twice before I even got to stick my cock in her.
She was insatiable.  I thought I should leave after the first time.  She
demanded I stay and do her again.  We fucked three times last night.  I've
never had a girl so hot for my dick.  It was amazing.  I ended up spending
the night in bed with her in her dorm room.  Thank God her roommate went
home this weekend."

   "I'm glad you had a fun night." I said.

   "And a fun morning.  Brittany woke me up with a blow job.  We fucked
again just before I came over here." Jay explained.

   "It's nice everything worked out so well for you." I said.  My cock
stirred at the thought of Jay screwing a girl an hour ago.  I remembered
that I hadn't planted my cock in Penny's hot, wet love hole for twenty-nine
days and thirteen hours.

   Our conversation turned back to football.  We spent the rest of lunch
analyzing the yesterday's game.  Jay had a mind for football similar to
mine.  He was interested in why we did the plays we did, how the blocking,
pass routes and running all fit together.  How did things work?  Jay and I
were going to be good together in two years when Zack Hayes graduated from
college.

   Christian and Bev were studying at our desks when I came back.  I
gathered up my dirty clothes from the floor where I dropped them in the
dark last night and put them in my laundry bag in my closet.  Christian
gave me a disapproving look.  I ignored it.  I grabbed my EDPSY book and
read my assignment on my bed.  Christian and Bev spent half the afternoon
working on homework together.

   I worked on my Math when they headed over to the library.  I didn't
finish my work for Monday until after dinner.  I went over to the Lasch
Building when I was done with my homework.  I did my daily workout.  I
noticed people in the film room when I was ready to leave.  The group
included Zack and Aaron.  I went inside and joined them.  They were
analyzing the film from yesterday's game.  I spent most of the evening with
them.  It was informative listening to my friends go over the game.  Zack
was much better at analyzing games than four years ago when he taught my
friends and me how to review game tapes in high school.

   I received an e-mail from Penny that told me I shouldn't worry about
missing an e-mail on a game day.  She knew how busy I was.

   I received an e-mail from my brother too.  He sent me an mpeg clip from
the Big Ten Network's broadcast of our game.  It was cool watching myself
on the return.  The play had gone pretty much the way Coach Ferguson had
planned.

   Monday morning I grabbed a copy of the Daily Collegian on the way into
Sparks Building for Math 110.  I found a seat and checked out the paper. 
None of the headlines interested me so I turned to the sports section.  The
headlines in that section read "Lions Bash Kent State." Right under it the
subhead said "Speedy Freshman Sets the Tone." I grinned.  I started reading
the account of our game last Saturday.  I flipped the paper over when I
reached the crease.

   Surprise!  There was a picture of Zack Hayes side by side with my
picture.  The article on Zack said "Hayes Shines in His First Start." It
took a quarter of the page.  The article about me was two columns wide. 
The headline said "Big Things Expected From Kyle Martin."

   The article about me recounted my high school career, knee injury and
arrival here at Penn State.  It noted that I was one of the fastest players
on the team.  It said I held the state 100 meter dash record for high
school.  It included a quote from Coach Burton praising my work returning
kicks and punts on Saturday.  The article was a real ego boost.

   I read Zack's article next.  It was an excellent description of my
friend and the work he had done to get ready to lead the Nittany Lions. 
Zack had been a fan favorite last year.  The writer expected big things
from Zack too.

   I noticed a guy sitting beside me look at me and then do a double take
as I finished the article about Zack.  He saw me look at him.  He asked,
"Are you....  him?" He pointed at my picture in the paper.

   "Yep, that's me." I acknowledged.

   "I was at the game.  You were great on that kick return.  My buddies and
I were going ape shit when you scored.  We loved it."

   "Thanks.  My blockers really set me up.  I owe them the touchdown.  They
made it possible."

   "It's really cool to meet you.  I never expected to see someone like you
here in class."

   I said, "It's no big deal.  I have to take math courses to graduate like
everybody else."

   "Keep up the good work.  I'll be cheering for at the next game."

   "Thanks.  It was nice to talk to you." I went back to reading the paper
until Dr.  Gowavaram came in and started class.

   Melissa Addington found me when class was over.  She gushed about my
touchdown too.  She wasn't the last person to do that to me that day.  One
or two people in every class recognized me.

   I arrived early at EDPSY after lunch.  I found Chelsea Wright near the
door before class.  We sat together.  I had enjoyed her company at the
party on Saturday night but I had an ulterior motive.  I needed someone in
class to take notes for me in class on Friday and get the assignment to me.
We played Boston College in Boston on Saturday.  The team would leave on
Friday morning.  I knew Dr.  Henderson wouldn't help me keep up with class.
I needed my own arrangements.  Chelsea and I talked for a few minutes
before class.

   Dr.  Henderson started the day's lecture.  Part way through the period
he asked the class a question from the previous day's reading.  "What are
the main components of learning?  Any one?  Anyone know the answer?" He
looked across the room at the silent students.  "Has no one read the
assigned reading?" Dr.  Henderson taunted.  He scanned the room again.  His
eyes locked on me.  "Mr.  Martin, were you too busy playing football to
read Chapter 1?" "No sir.  I read the assignment.  The components are:
Knowledge of subject and teaching resources; Critical thinking and
problem-solving skills; Knowledge of students and their learning and
Teaching and communication skills" Dr.  Henderson acknowledged, "Correct
Mr. Martin." His face did not show any pleasure at my answer.  He proceeded
on with his lecture.

   Chelsea asked me a question after class.  "Does Dr.  Henderson have a
problem with you?  He seemed mad when you knew the answer to his question.
I couldn't have answered it."

   "Dr.  Henderson doesn't like football players.  He doesn't think I'm
serious about becoming a teacher."

   "That's not fair." Chelsea protested.

   "I know.  I just have to deal with it." I explained.  I walked with
Chelsea as she headed back to her dorm room in East Halls.  We stopped in
for some ice cream at the Creamery.  I was glad I met Chelsea at the party.
I hoped to become friends with her.

   The guys at practice teased both Zack and me about the articles in the
Collegian.  It bothered me a little at first.  Zack told me this, "Don't
take the guy's comments personally.  The Collegian does a couple players
profiles in Monday's paper.  They always rag on the guys that were
profiled."

   I asked, "They're not mad at me?  I just want to fit in here."

   "You keep working hard, studying and staying humble.  You'll fit in just
fine." Zack said.

   After dinner we had film study of our game on Saturday.  Coach Ferguson
was pleased with the first kick return.  He said, "King and Thompson. 
Excellent blocks.  Martin.  I liked the way you followed your blockers. 
You hit the hole fast.  You did excellent work in the open field."

   Coach Ferguson had a couple improvements he wanted to see me make in the
next game.  Tomorrow's practice would focus on Boston College.  The coaches
expected this game to be more difficult.  Boston College wasn't ranked in
the Top 25, though they received a few votes in the polls.

   We worked hard in the afternoons and evenings to prepare ourselves for
the game.  I barely had time to squeeze in my homework for my classes.  I
was going to be worn out by the time the season was over.

   My brother Andy e-mailed me with news on Tuesday night.  Angela Butler
gave birth to a 7 lb.  2 oz.  daughter the day before.  Mother and daughter
were doing fine.  Angela was one of the pregnant teens that joined our
impromptu support group last winter.  My friends and I originally did it to
help Andy's ex-girlfriend Crystal through her pregnancy.  Angela and later
Natalie Van Dyke had joined us when they found out they were pregnant too.
Natalie was due in a few weeks.

   Angela's parents and their attorney filed a paternity suit against Shane
Sensenig and his parents.  Shane denied any responsibility for getting
Angela pregnant.  Now that Joelynn was born, the truth would come out.  The
Butlers weren't going to have any sympathy for the Sensenigs if Shane was
the father.  They were demanding half the costs of the pregnancy and birth
along with a large child support payment each month.  I hoped they would
get it.  Shane was a weasel for the way he used Angela and then dumped her
when he was done with her.  It had been hard for Andy to shoulder
responsibility for getting Crystal pregnant.  He passed the test of his
character with flying colors.

   Penny sent me an e-mail to let me know she probably would miss a day or
two with e-mails.  Her parents were taking her to Penn tomorrow morning. 
She wasn't sure how quickly she would be on-line again after she got to
school.  I sent an e-mail back wishing her good luck.

   Classes went well during the week.  There never seemed to be enough time
to do everything.  Math 110 was easy so far.  It was all review of work I
had done during high school.  History 1 was easy too.  We wrote for nearly
every class in English Comp.  I had lots of reading for Poly Sci 1 and
EDPSY 14.

   On Wednesday Chelsea Wright agreed to e-mail the homework assignment for
EDPSY 14 to me after class on Friday.  I hoped my hotel room in Boston
would have an internet connection so I could work on my homework on the
flight home to Pennsylvania after the game on Saturday.  Kelly O'Keefe was
going to do the same thing for me with History 1.  I talked with Mr. 
Moore, my Poly Sci instructor, on Thursday after class.  He gave me the
assignment his grad student was to hand out the next day.

   I received an e-mail from Penny that evening.  Her roommate was delayed.
She had arrived a few minutes before Penny went to dinner.  Her name was
Nicole Patterson.

   -----------------------------------------------------------

   I had enough time on Friday morning for Math 110 before I met the team
to go to the airport.  Melissa gave me a kiss on the cheek and wished me
luck tomorrow.  She's a great girl.  If only I didn't have a girlfriend
already.

   I hurried back to my room and changed into a button down Oxford shirt,
slacks, sport coat and tie.  Coach Burton insisted everyone had to look
sharp when we traveled.  I grabbed my overnight bag and headed for the
buses at the Lasch Building.  I grabbed the first seat available on the
second bus.  I sat with Cooper Barnes, our kicker.

   The ride to the University Park Airport was short, only a few miles. 
The whole team - 108 players, coaches, trainers, equipment people, video
people, PR people and athletic department people trooped through the
terminal to our private gate to board our charter.  We were flying to
Boston on a Boeing 737.

   That was a relief.  I was afraid we'd end up in a small plane and I
would be stuck in a middle seat between a couple guys like Antwaan Booker
and Jacob Washington.  Antwaan goes a good 320 pounds.  Jacob is a svelte
275 pounds (for a defensive lineman).  I couldn't imagine being stuffed
between them on a regular commercial flight.

   I found a seat on the plane with Christian.  I settled in and pulled out
my Math book.  I wanted to get as much homework down as possible on the
flight.  We waited about fifteen minutes on the ground before the plane was
ready to go.

   As soon as the plane reached cruising altitude the stewardesses brought
box lunches and drinks around to everyone.  It wasn't airline food.  The
lunches were prepared by the staff at the Training Table.  They were
delicious.

   I leaned over to Christian when we finished eating.  "This sure beats
taking the school bus to away games doesn't it?"

   "You better believe it." Christian chuckled.  "I think I could get used
to this."

   We went back to studying when the stewardesses cleared our trays.  The
flight to Boston took around two hours.  Our plane landed at Logan Airport.
Three coach buses met us and took us to our hotel, the Sheraton Needham. 
Coach Burton assigned us roommates.  He put Christian with me, which was
fine.  I was used to him.

   The hotel fed us dinner in one of their banquet rooms.  We had team and
position meetings after dinner.  Coach Burton set a curfew of 11 pm for us.


   The team had a breakfast buffet on Saturday morning in the hotel's
banquet hall before we rode the buses over to Boston College's Alumni
Stadium.  We had a walk through practice on the field at 10 am.  The team
waited and prepared in the visitor's locker room until lunchtime.

   Aaron Morano stopped by my locker while I was suiting up for the game.
Aaron clapped me on the back.  "Are you alright today Kyle?"

   I gave my friend a smile.  "I'm OK."

   "You'll keep lunch down today?" Aaron asked.

   "Yes.  I'm looking forward to today's game.  Boston College allowed a
lot of return yards last week.  I think I can help the team today."

   "Go get'em Kyle." Aaron answered.  He headed out to the field for
warm-ups.  I did feel more confident this week.  We went through our
routine to prepare ourselves for the game.  The stands were gradually
filling with BC fans as we prepared.  I looked across the field at the
Eagles players who came out as we finished our warm up.

   Greg Harrison popped into my mind as I looked across the field at the
players in maroon and gold.  He should be over there now, getting ready to
play against Zack and me.  I stared at them too long.

   Zack tapped me on the shoulder.  "Thinking of Greg?"

   "Yeah." I answered.

   "He's here you know." Zack tapped his right fist on his chest over his
heart.  "Greg is always here with us.  Never forget."

   "Yep." I confirmed.

   "Kyle - remember Greg would kick your butt if you didn't concentrate on
your job today.  You know how he was about slackers."

   "I'll play hard Zack."

   We headed back inside for Coach Burton's pep talk and to wait for the
pre-game introductions.  We waited in the visitor's tunnel while the Boston
College Eagles were introduced.  We ran into the stadium with polite
applause when it was our turn.

   Alumni Stadium was much smaller than Beaver Stadium.  I was told it had
a seating capacity of 44,500.  This place couldn't be as noisy as Beaver
Stadium last week,

   Boston College won the coin toss.  They had a pretty decent offense. 
They managed a couple first downs before they had to punt the ball from
their 48 yard line.  I lined up on our 10 yard line with explicit
directions from Coach Ferguson not to touch the ball if it went inside the
10.  BC's punter boomed the ball.  I started to back up a couple step
before I realized that I shouldn't touch the ball.  I cleared out of the
way and watched helplessly as BC downed the ball on our 2 yard line.

   Boston College had a strong defense just like us.  The first half
degenerated into a battle for field position.  BC always seemed to have
good field position but had trouble capitalizing on it.  We always seemed
to be backed up against our own goal line.  I never got punts that I could
return.  BC held a 7-3 advantage as the first half wound down.

   Four and half minutes remained when I took a punt from BC.  They were
punting from midfield.  I was on our 10 yard line again.  Their punter
didn't get off a good kick.  I watched the flight of the ball, took a
couple steps forward and drifted a little right to catch the ball.  I
finally had something to return!

   I settled under the ball and caught it between outstretched arms and my
chest.  I glanced downfield quickly while I put the ball under my right arm
to secure it.  I looked to the right first, spotting Tyler Madden
flattening the gunner on his side.  I looked further downfield and saw my
blockers engaging their guys.

   I sprinted downfield towards the right sideline.  BC's players shifted
to the right side of the field to tackle me.  My blockers cleared the first
10-12 yards for me before I ran into any Eagles players.  I cut back to the
left between the blocks of Trevor Conwell and Wes Kennedy.  The BC players
had pursued too far to the right.  I juked and faked out the next tackler.
The punter finally caught me near their 40 yard line.  I was tackled from
behind by one of BC's defensive backs while I tried to stiff arm the punter
to get by him.

   Our offense could use all our weapons now that we had the ball in good
field position.  Zack and the offense needed six plays to punch the ball in
to take the lead in the game 10-7.

   We kicked the ball back to Boston College with 2 minutes left in the
half.  Antwaan Booker and Jacob Washington and their defensive line mates
kept the pressure on BC's quarterback while he tried to run their two
minute offense.  Two incomplete passes and a six yard pass on 3rd and 10
ended their drive.  They punted the ball back to me.  BC covered better
this time but I still managed a fifteen yard gain to put the ball on our 41
yard line.

   Zack had a 1 minute 11 seconds left and all three time outs.  Zack
completed a couple quick out passes to pick up a dozen yards and a first
down.  Coach Adams sent me in for the next play.  It was one of the three
new plays I had practiced with the first team this week.

   I lined up in the slot between Bo and Evan.  I streaked downfield seven
yards and cut left on a crossing route, trailed by BC's nickel back.  Bo
and Evan ran deep routes, pulling the free safety, left cornerback and
strong safety deep with them.  Zack Hayes led me perfectly when he rifled
the ball to me.

   I nestled the ball into my chest and sprinted downfield.  Derek Whitaker
blocked the cornerback covering him out of my way as I ran for the far
sideline.  None of the BC defenders caught me.  I carried the ball into the
end zone for touchdown to silence the crowd in Alumni Stadium.  I tossed
the ball to an official just before my teammates mobbed me in the end zone.

   Zack banged helmets with me and declared, "That's why I wanted you to
play here Kyle.  Hell of a job." My other teammates slapped me on the back
and hugged me as we celebrated our score.

   The coaches hustled us off the field so the PAT team could kick.  Coop
made the PAT to bring the score to 17-7 Penn State.  We kicked the ball off
to BC with 41 seconds left in the half.  Our defense didn't allow them to
get any points before half time.

   I managed another good kick return to start the second half.  I gave the
ball to Zack and the offense at our 46 yard line.  Coach Burton kept the
Eagles off balance with his mix of plays.  Four runs and three passes moved
our offense down to BC's 28 yard line.  Coach Adams sent me in for another
of my plays.  BC made sure to cover me with two defensive backs.  Bo Cherry
took advantage of his single coverage to get free.  Zack fired the ball to
him at the five yard line.  Bo spun and broke a tackle to carry the ball in
for another touchdown.  The successful PAT put us up 24-7 over BC.

   Our defense turned up the heat on BC's quarterback with this lead. 
Antwaan picked up two sacks, Jacob Washington, Karol Ziska and Pete Klein
all added one each.  Our offense concentrated on running the ball to chew
up the time remaining on the clock.  BC managed a long field goal in the
third period.  The score was 24-10 half way through the fourth quarter.

   BC finally got their offense going when our defense switched to a
prevent defense.  They narrowed the score to 24-17.  Our offense
concentrated on ball possession in the next series.  Shawn O'Conner, Jelani
Hill and fellow freshman Wyatt Smith pounded the ball down the field.  We
kicked a field goal when we ran out of room and couldn't score near BC's
end zone.  Coop's field goal brought the final score to 27-17 Penn State.

   I got to talk to BC's starting tight end, Alex Bianchi, at the end of
the game.  He had played wide receiver when he started at BC two years ago.
He was switched over to tight end after his first season.  He spent the
last year bulking up to get big enough to play the position.  I didn't tell
him I knew why he was playing tight end.  He was replacing Greg Harrison,
my high school teammate and BC recruit who was killed by a drunk driver a
year and a half ago.

   I ended up with 132 yards on four kick returns, 63 yards on four punt
returns, and a 48 yard touchdown reception.  I felt like I earned my place
on the team that day.

   Our team showered, changed and boarded our buses for Logan Airport and
home.  Christian and I sat beside Zack and Aaron on the first bus.  Zack
got a call on his cell phone as we were riding to the airport.  I only
caught half the conversation.

   When he answered the phone Zack said, "Hello?"

   "Hey Sam.  Good to hear from you.  We beat BC 24-17 today." It was Sam,
Zack's older brother.

   "17 for 23, 223 yards and two touchdown's.  Will's brother caught one of
them." I smiled as Zack referred to me.

   "How'd your day go?"

   "Oh....  I'm sorry to hear that." Aaron and I both listened when we
heard that.

   "Somebody will take you Sam.  You can bet on it." Zack reassured.

   "Love you bro.  Call me tomorrow and let me know what's up."

   "Bye." Zack clicked the phone off and put it back in his pocket.

   Aaron and I asked simultaneously, "What happened to Sam?"

   Zack related the bad but not unexpected news.  The Philadelphia Eagles
had cut Sam that morning.  They had to cut down to 53 players and Sam
didn't make the roster.  It wasn't unexpected.  The Eagles had drafted a
quarterback in the draft last spring.  Zack predicted that Green Bay,
Seattle, Tampa Bay, Denver or San Francisco would pick Sam up.  They all
played the West Coast Offense.  The NFL didn't have that many QBs
experienced in the West Coast Offense.  Sam would find another spot.

   We boarded our charter plane at Logan Airport.  Once we were in the air
the stewardesses brought dinner around to everyone.  The athletic
department support staff had picked up "grinders" for dinner for us.  This
led to a debate among many of the team members.  The guys from Pittsburgh
and west called our sandwiches grinders.  The guys from around Philadelphia
called them hoagies.  Most of us called them subs.  Tyler Madden insisted,
"The deli near my home in Norristown calls them Zepps or Zeppelins." The
sandwiches were delicious regardless of their name.

   We got back to the University Park Airport around 10 pm.  The buses
delivered us back to the Lasch Building.  I was surprised to see a few
hundred students waiting for us when we got off the buses.  They cheered
and applauded as we exited the buses.  That was really cool.

   ------------------------------------------------------

   I sent off a long e-mail to Penny on Sunday to let her know about the
game and my trip to Boston.  She replied later that day.  She was settling
in at Penn.  She was going out to dinner with Will and Abby that evening.
Penny was still getting to know her roommate Nicole.

   I ran into Zack when I was doing my workout at the Lasch Building on
Sunday afternoon.  Zack filled me in on his brother's situation.  Mike
Holmgren, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, grabbed Sam as soon as he
became available.  Sam was flying out to Seattle as we spoke.  Things were
up in the air about Sam's fiancé Trisha Wright.  For now she was going to
continue working at her job in Philadelphia.

   We didn't have classes on Monday thanks to the Labor Day holiday.  I
wanted to sleep in on Monday but Christian woke me up when he got up at 7
am.  I shut the curtains in the room when he went to breakfast with Bev.  I
managed to snatch a couple more hours of sleep when he left.

   I went over to the Lasch Building after lunch to study video of our next
opponent: Youngstown State.  YSU was our next sacrificial victim before we
started playing serious games.  They lost to Appalachian State and beat
South Dakota State so far this season.  I spent an hour studying them.
We weren't supposed to, but I took a look at the video we had on Notre
Dame.  We played them in two weeks.  Notre Dame was ranked #5 in the nation
at the moment.  One of my best friends was a freshman linebacker for the
Fighting Irish.  I spotted Jeremy as I watched the special team plays. 

Jeremy was a wedge buster.

   Christian and Bev invited a group of our friends to go downtown for
pizza for dinner.  Cindy, Kelly, and Jen joined Jay, Damian, GJ and me.

   I found an e-mail from my brother Andy when I got back to my room. 
Andy's mood was sky high that night.  My family had returned home from our
annual Labor Day Weekend trip to Cape Henlopen.  Andy had hooked up with
his beach fling girlfriend Lauren Watson from last year.  He had more sex
over the weekend than he had in the previous ten months - since he found
out his ex-girlfriend was pregnant with Connor and Noah.  He assured me
that he used condoms.  Two kids were enough for him.

   Our sister Liz had hooked up with Lauren's younger brother Josh like
last year.  Liz wouldn't confirm it, but Josh bragged to some of the other
guys that weekend that Liz let him have sex with her.  I wasn't surprised.
I knew how often Liz and her ex-boyfriend Cody Stevens had slept together
before they broke up.  Liz was undoubtedly saw Josh as a
no-strings-attached opportunity to relieve her pent up sexual needs.

   Andy congratulated me on my play against Boston College.  He had caught
a summary of the game on the radio Saturday evening before he went to bed.
Rob Lang sent his congratulations too.

   Chelsea Wright e-mailed me with my EDPSY assignment for Wednesday's
class along with a copy of her notes from last Friday.  I needed to figure
out something nice to do for Chelsea.  Her help was going to be invaluable
to keep me out of Dr.  Henderson's doghouse.

   Practice went well during the week.  Coach Adams gave me three new plays
to learn and practice with the first string that week.  Coach Ferguson
warned me that Christian and Tanner were each going to get a couple returns
against Youngstown State.  They needed to get game experience in case
anything happened to me this year.

   Dr.  Henderson tried to ambush me in class on Wednesday.  He asked a
question directly to me.  The material was covered during Friday's class
but wasn't covered in our text book.  Dr.  Henderson was flabbergasted when
I answered his question correctly.  He stammered and sputtered a little and
then acknowledged that my answer was correct.  I wished that would end
things between us but I doubted it.

   Coach Burton called Zack Hayes, Trevor Conwell and me into his office on
Thursday after practice.  "I believe you gentlemen are friends with
Winfield Brinton?" Trevor and I readily acknowledged that Chip was our
friend.

   Zack seemed confused.  "Winfield who?"

   Trevor explained.  "Chip... Chip Brinton."

   "Ooohhh....  Chip.  I know him coach."

   "Good.  We have Brinton at the top of our recruiting list for
quarterback.  He's coming to visit in a few weeks.  Do any of you have
contact with him regularly?" Coach Burton asked.  Trevor and Zack indicated
they didn't.

   I explained, "Chip and I keep in touch.  We've traded e-mails a couple
times since football camp started.  Is that OK?"

   "Did you talk to him about attending Penn State?"

   "Not since I got here.  We did talk about it in July.  Is that a
problem?"

   Coach Burton explained, "No, you're OK if you talked about it in July.
You weren't a team member yet." Coach Burton looked at each of us.  "I'd
like the three of you to serve as his guides during his official visit."

   All three of us agreed.  Zack asked, "When is he visiting?"

   "He's coming on October 3rd.  That's the weekend we play Ohio State. 
Let's make sure we show this young man a special time here at Penn State. I
really want him signed with our university." Coach Burton answered.

   Zack, Trevor and I fully agreed.  We would make Chip's visit memorable.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   The week flew by.  I was busy all the time with classes, home work,
practice, workouts, and studying the playbook.  I enjoyed hanging out and
flirting with Melissa at Math, Kelly at History and Chelsea at EDPSY.  I
still missed Penny desperately but being around the other girls helped.

   I spent Friday night at the Lasch Building studying for the next day's
game.  Some of the guys on our floor were having a party.  I didn't go back
to my room until after 11 o'clock.  The party was still going full swing.
Christian was trying to sleep, unsuccessfully.  Andy sent me an e-mail.  My
high school team, the Wolverines, had played Trojans that evening.  They
beat'em 42-10.  Andy scored three of the six touchdowns that evening.  Jake
Kring, our quarterback, had an outstanding night.  He went 23 for 27 for
381 yards and five touchdowns.  I was proud of Jake.  I knew he would do a
good job replacing my friend Ed Fritz.

   I slept well for once.  I got up around 8:30 in the morning.  The room
was still dark.  I discovered Christian was still in bed sleeping when I
turned on the light in the room.  I turned it off quickly.  I guess he
needed the extra sleep since we hadn't gone to sleep until well after
midnight.  Christian was getting up when I came back from my shower.  We
had breakfast together and then headed to the Lasch Building to prepare for
the game.

   The mood of the team was good before the game.  We spent the morning in
position meetings and doing our personal preparations for the day's game.
The stadium was filling when we came out for warm-ups.  I noticed a banner
hanging from the railing in the student section.  It said "Kyle's Krazies".
I went over to see who it put it up.  Bev, Cindy, Kelly, and Jen had hung
the banner in front of their seats.  I thanked them for their support.

   I teased Bev.  "You're doing this for me?  What about your boyfriend? 
Isn't Christian going to be a little put out that you didn't include him?"

   "No.  I know Christian will be on the bench again today.  We're
supporting guys who will actually play."

   "Didn't Christian tell you?  He's going to get to return a couple kick
offs today."

   "Is he?  Thanks for letting me know Kyle." Bev answered.

   I thanked all the girls before I went inside.  The girls looked great.
They were all dressed in white for the normal student "white-out." Kelly
and Jen had painted Lion's Paws on their cheeks.  They were ready for a fun
afternoon.

   I teased Christian when I got back inside.  "Your girlfriend is out
there cheering for me.  Didn't you tell her you are going to play today?"

   "No.  I didn't want her to get her hopes up.  If I get in, great.  If
not, then she won't be disappointed for me."

   "Ummm....  I let the cat out of the bag.  I told her when I talked to
her." I went on to explain about the sign she and the other girls had hung
in the stadium.  Christian got a laugh out of it.

   Christian, Tanner and I waited near the back of the team in the tunnel
before introductions.  It was the defense's turn to be introduced to the
crowd.  Pete Klein and Karol Ziska both received loud applause when they
were introduced.  Pete and Karol had a nose for the ball.  They were there
for almost every tackle - sideline to sideline and anywhere within ten
yards of the line of scrimmage.  Our defensive captains were introduced
last.

   Aaron Morano received loud cheers, as was his due.  Aaron had turned
himself into one of the best cornerbacks in the country in the last four
years.  He was our shutdown cornerback, the guy assigned to the opponent's
best receiver.

   Antwaan Booker received the loudest applause.  Antwaan set the tone for
the defense.  He blew up plays behind the line of scrimmage.  He could
single handedly take over a game.  He was that good.  Offensive lines
routinely assigned two blockers to Antwaan.  It usually wasn't enough.  His
play made our entire defensive line and linebacker corps stronger.

   I ran out onto the field with the rest of my teammates.  The crowd
cheered our appearance.  I loved the atmosphere of a college football game.
The Blue Band whipped up the crowd with songs.  The Nittany Lion mascot
roused the crowd further.  My high school had supported our team admirably.
A few thousand high school fans just can't make the same noise as a hundred
thousand college fans.

   The papers reported that we were a 21 point favorite over Youngstown
State.  Coach Burton warned us not to take this too seriously.  He reminded
us that a few years ago Michigan had played Division I-AA Appalachian State
on their opening game and lost.  We had to take every opponent seriously.
Play hard, concentrate on your job, and respect our opponent.  Coach Burton
predicted that we would do OK if we did that.

   YSU took the opening kickoff.  Antwaan, Pete and Aaron made quick work
of their first possession.  Antwaan and Pete stuffed the first two runs. 
Aaron batted away the third down pass.  I trotted out onto the field to
receive the Penguin's punt.  I found Coach Burton was right about us
needing to respect YSU.  They modified their punt coverage from what I had
seen on film.  They held three instead of the normal two guys back from the
main line of tacklers.  These guys provided more depth in case I managed to
break through the main line of tacklers.  I managed to gain fifteen yards
on the first return.

   I glanced over at Bev and the other girls when I went back to the bench.
Their sign sported an addition.  They added "Christian's Crew" to the
bottom.  I nudged Christian in the ribs.  He smiled when he saw the sign.
We waved to the girls.

   Our offense started on our 43 yard line.  YSU proved to be well coached,
smart, hard playing group.  They made us work for our yards.  Their biggest
challenge was that our players were bigger, stronger and faster than
theirs. Our offensive line dominated their defensive line.  Zack needed 13
plays to push YSU down the field and score our first touchdown.

   Our defense bottled up Youngstown's runners.  Antwaan Booker, Jacob
Washington and company pressured their QB now that he had to pass.  They
were forced to punt the ball back to us again.

   The first half proved that our defense was far superior to YSU's
offense. They simply could not move the ball.  Our offense was forced to
work hard, but we could score.  We were up 31-3 by half time.

   Coach Burton sent Jeremiah Nowak and the second string offense out after
halftime.  Christian took that kick return.  He did well, gaining 27 yards
on the return.  I spent more time on the field.  We mostly ran the ball. 
Occasional passes kept YSU from stacking up against our running game. 
Jeremiah took us down the field for three touchdowns in the third quarter.

   Tanner Riggs got his two punt returns in the third quarter.  He had to
fair catch the first one.  Tanner gained twelve yards on his second punt
return.  It was a good effort.

   Coach Burton sent the third string in at the start of the fourth
quarter. Glenn Korbel ran the offense.  I took the flanker spot outside
opposite Jibril Sloan, our third string TE.  Tanner Riggs and Christian
split time at split end.  The coaches started off running on YSU, splitting
the duty between Wyatt Smith and Damian Thompson.  Wyatt hurt his ankle
part way through the quarter.  Damian took the whole load after that.

   Damian was a tough runner.  It took two or even three tacklers to bring
him down.  Damian ended up carrying the ball fifteen times during the game,
gaining 71 yards.  I caught a couple short passes.  Christian and Damian
each had a pass reception.  We managed to score another touchdown and a
field goal while we ran the clock out on YSU.

   The final score was 52-6 our favor.  Youngstown State wasn't a bad
football team.  They were simply overmatched against us.  We shook hands
with our opponents and headed for the locker room.

   That evening I headed to the party that Jeremiah Nowak was throwing with
his roommates' help.  Jeremiah roomed with Les Jones, Steve Cobb and Derek
Whitaker.  Zack Hayes showed up trailed by his usual bevy of babes.  Aaron
and Tania decided to find some privacy that evening since his apartment was
empty.  Christian and Bev put in an appearance at the party.

   Johara Sofay gave me a big hug and a kiss when she arrived.  She
whispered to me, "Any time you want some fun with me, say the word."

   "It's tempting offer Johara, but I'm committed to my girlfriend." I
returned her kiss on the cheek.  She patted my behind before she moved on.
Johara ended up heading back to Anders Voight's room.

   I was surprised when Tanner Riggs escorted Kelly O'Keefe in Jeremiah's
door.  I didn't know they were dating.  I felt a twinge of jealousy when I
saw Tanner with Kelly.  If I had been in the market for a girlfriend.... 
Well, I wasn't.  Tanner and I were more rivals than friends, but he was a
decent guy.  Kelly would do all right with him.

   I promised myself I wouldn't drink as much beer as two weeks ago.  I
didn't manage to keep that promise.  Over the course of the next four hours
I put away four beers, maybe more.  I managed to get back to my dorm room
without staggering too much.

   ----------------------------------------------------------

   I found my daily e-mail from Penny on Sunday after dinner.  I opened it
and started reading.

   -------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: September 13th 12:43:21
From: pedwards312@upenn.edu
To: fastwr87@redroses.net
Subject: Why me?
I wish you were here Kyle.  I need you to hold me and tell me everything

will be OK.

   I'm trying to be patient with my roommate Nicole.  I can deal with her
Goth look.  Really I can.  Last night was too much.

   I went to the library to pick up a book or two for pleasure reading.  I
had finished the one I brought from home.  I came back around 9:30 last
night.  I smelled something funny when I went to unlock our door.  Nicole
was smoking weed when I walked in!

   I split.  You know how I feel about drugs!  I wouldn't stand for it from
Stef and she was my friend.

   I signed up for a non-smoking roommate.  Nicole said that only applied
tobacco not MJ.

   I have had the window open all day.  I can't get the God awful stench of
marijuana out of my room.  What am I going to do Kyle?

   You are so lucky to have Christian for a roommate.

   I know I could deal with this better if you were here.  I miss you so
much.

   Love Penny

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   I harrumphed to myself when I read the part about Christian.  I didn't
feel real charitable towards Christian that day.  He put me in a bad mood
this morning when he made a racket getting up.  I was a little hung over
from the previous night.  When he got back from church Christian chided me
for leaving my dirty clothes on the floor last night when I went to bed. 
Hell!  I did that for him.  I didn't want to turn on the lights when I got
back so I wouldn't wake him up.

   I headed over to the Lasch Building to work on homework in one of the
study rooms.  I cooled down by the time I went back to the dorms for
dinner.

   My phone plan had weekend minutes free so I called Penny in the evening.
We had a long talk.  Unfortunately all I could do was offer sympathy for
her situation.  I didn't have any suggestions for how to deal with Nicole.
We agreed to talk every Sunday evening.

   I sent an e-mail off to Jeremy North, my friend from home who was a
freshman middle linebacker at Notre Dame.  Notre Dame was traveling to
State College next Saturday for a showdown.  I asked Jeremy if he would be
able to break free Friday night for dinner.

   Notre Dame was ranked #5 in the polls.  Our team was ranked #10.  This
game was our first serious test.  Even though we played the game at home
the papers put us at 3 point underdogs to the Fighting Irish.

   The intensity of our practices picked up that week.  We all knew we
would need our best game to beat Notre Dame.  I worked on three more plays
with the first string offense.  Coach Ferguson let me know I would handle
all the punt and kick returns this week.  Position meetings and film study
took more time than in previous weeks.  We needed to KNOW Notre Dame to
have our best chance at beating them.

   My classes went well during the week.  Dr.  Gowaravam finally started
into new material (for me) in Calculus.  Poly Sci and History were fun.  I
had a ton of reading to do for EDPSY.  I had trouble fitting all my home
work in the available after my football preparations.

   Christian and I struggled over what time to turn out the lights for bed.
He wanted to go to sleep at 10 pm.  I was never done with my homework then.
Christian grumbled but let me work a couple nights.  I blew off some of my
homework other nights when Christian bitched too much.

   Jeremy e-mailed me on Tuesday to let me know Coach Weiss, head coach at
Notre Dame, said Jeremy could join me for dinner on Friday night.  I
invited Zack and Christian to join us.  Christian asked if Bev could come
too.  I agreed but warned Christian not to fall into the trap I found
myself in with Penny in tenth grade.  All football, all the time doesn't
keep a girlfriend happy.

   ----------------------------------------------------------

   I wasn't well prepared for Math 110 on Thursday afternoon.  This was the
day for our study session with Dr.  Gowaravam's assistant, Bai Huo Wen. 
Bai spoke with heavy Chinese accent.  I couldn't follow his convoluted
explanation for one of the derivatives.

   He asked, "Mitah Mah-tin wha tis da heff of hex?" Everyone is class sat
and stared blankly at him.  He turned and stared at me.  "Mitah Mah-tin?"

   I realized he was talking to me.  "Excuse me?  What is the question?" I
asked, stalling for time.

   "Wha tis da heff of hex?" Bai asked.

   "Umm.....  I'm not sure." I replied.

   "O-tay.  Mitah Mit-tall [Mitchell] wha tis da heff of hex?"

   Jon Mitchell rattled off an answer that pleased Bai.  He moved on in the
lesson.  I was going to need to work harder after Dr.  Gowavaram's
lectures. I wasn't getting any help from Bai's study sessions.

   I grabbed Jon after class.  "How in God's name did you know what he
meant when he asked about the heff of hex?  What did he mean?"

   Jon chuckled.  "Bai was saying the f of x - the function of x."
[Mathematically: f(x) = ??]

   "I don't know how you figured that out." I said.

   "I guessed and got lucky." Jon answered.  I congratulated him for his
luck when we parted.  I headed off to lunch.

   --------------------------------------------------------------

   Jeremy e-mailed me on Thursday night to fill me in on his team's travel
details.  They were flying into University Park around 3 pm tomorrow.  They
were going to stay at the Ramada Inn on Atherton Avenue.  He gave me his
cell phone number.  I needed to pick him up for dinner from his hotel.  I
had to make sure Jeremy was back to his hotel by 8 o'clock for his team
meeting.

   I was excited to see Jeremy again.  I was making friends at Penn State,
but it was going to be nice to see one of my oldest friends again.  Jeremy,
Ed Fritz, Hal Long and I were nearly inseparable since first grade.  It was
hard having college separate my gang of friends.

   The coaches worked us hard at Friday's practice.  I thought we looked
enthusiastic and well prepared.  We executed our plays with precision.  I
thought we would surprise some people when we won the game tomorrow.

   I showered quickly and headed for the East Parking Garage for my car.  I
was going to pick up Jeremy and then meet Zack, Christian and Bev at Zack's
apartment.  My poor VW Golf sputtered and choked when I tried to start it.
I hadn't run it in weeks.  I let it warm up a couple minutes and then
headed out.

   I headed south on University Drive.  It took me down to Atherton Avenue
at the south end of State College.  I made a right, followed Atherton a
couple hundred yards and turned into the Ramada.  The lobby was full of
football players.  I found Jeremy waiting for me in the lobby.

   I went to shake hands with Jeremy when we met.  He pumped it twice and
yanked me in and hugged me.  "God!  It's good to see you Kyle." Jeremy
declared.

   "You too, Jeremy.  It's been too long." I answered.  I hugged him back.
Jeremy was noticeably more muscular than in June, the last time I spent an
appreciable amount of time with him.  "We've got to get moving if we're
going to get you back in time for your team meeting."

   Jeremy and I headed back to the university.  I found a spot in one of
the parking lots near Zack's apartment.  We met up with Zack, Christian and
Bev and then walked downtown.  Christian and I pointed out our dorm as we
cut through the Pollock Dorms.

   Zack asked, "What are you interested in tonight Jeremy?  We've got pizza
places, deli, burgers, some fancier restaurants, barbeque..."

   "That's it!  Barbeque would hit the spot." Jeremy declared.

   "Beulah's it is.  It's not too far." Zack said.

   Zack led the way.  I hadn't been to Beulah's yet.  We left campus on
Shortlidge Road.  Beulah's was across College Avenue and down half block on
the right on Garner Street.

   We had to wait a few minutes for a table at Beulah's.  The place was
crowded with Nittany Lions fans here for tomorrow's game.  Zack ordered a
plate of Buffalo Chicken Wings and a plate of Rib Tips for an appetizer.

   Christian ordered an Angus Burger, Zack ordered a Burnt Ends Sandwich,
Bev wanted a Chicken Garden Salad.  I ordered a Trio Platter with a mini
pulled pork sandwich, a mini beef brisket sandwich and a pulled chicken
mini.  Jeremy spotted the baby back ribs.

   Jeremy asked, "Is that all right Kyle?" I was treating him to dinner.  I
nodded yes.  I was glad Dad had given me a charge card.  I was going to
need it tonight.

   Zack, Jeremy and I caught up on news from home and compared notes about
our time at college.  Jeremy complimented me on my punt and kick returns. I
had seen him on the video this week.  He played on the kick-off, punt, punt
return and kick return teams.  He was going to be one of the crazy guys
flying down the field trying to tackle me on my returns.

   I teased, "You know you'll never catch me.  You never have been able to
that in the past."

   Jeremy answered, "That was during passing drills.  You'd catch the ball
and run away from me.  Tomorrow you are going to catch the ball and run
towards me.  Watch yourself.  I'm not going to show you any mercy because
we're friends."

   "Fair enough.  I'm going to do my damnedest to get by, score and make
you look silly." I answered.

   "Agreed." Jeremy said.

   We enjoyed the appetizers when they arrived.  We reminisced about our
practices at scout camp in previous summers and about the games we played
against each other in high school.  Jeremy wondered how our high school
team was going to do tonight.  They played LS, who beat us last year.  I
assured him I would let him know tomorrow.  My brother Andy would e-mail me
the results tonight.

   Our dinner was excellent.  We all enjoyed our reunion.  My bill was over
$50.  I couldn't do this too often.  Dad hadn't set a limit for me on my
credit card but I knew this was more than he expected me to pay for a
dinner.

   The Jeremy and I hurried back to campus to get my car.  It was 7:30 and
we were going to be short on time to get Jeremy back to his hotel in time
for his team's 8 o'clock meeting.  Zack, Christian and Bev decided to hang
out downtown for awhile.  I made it back to the Ramada with five minutes to
spare.

   I dropped my car off at the parking garage and headed for the Lasch
Building.  I studied video of Notre Dame for an hour before I went back to
my room.  I received e-mails from Andy and Penny.

   I checked out Penny's first.  It was short.  Her roommate Nicole invited
friends over to hang out in her room for the evening.  Penny decided to
head to the library.  She wanted no part of Nicole's `party.'

   Andy's e-mail was upbeat, to say the least.  Our high school team had
beaten LS soundly, 58-17.  Andy caught 10 passes for 138 yards and three
touchdowns that night.  Jake Kring's performance as quarterback was off the
charts.  He was 24 of 28 for 312 yards and five touchdowns.  Coach Caffrey
sent in Jake's back-up Logan Mitchell near the end of the third quarter. 
Logan scored another touchdown before the game was over.  I told Andy to
give the team my congratulations.

   I actually was in bed ahead of Christian for once.  I was in bed but
still awake when he got back.  He and Bev decided to take in a movie that
night.  He went straight to bed.

   Christian actually slept late on Saturday morning.  Well, eight o'clock
is late for him.  I lounged in bed, enjoying the quiet and privacy.  We
weren't in a hurry that day.  ABC was televising the game.  It didn't start
until 3:30 pm.  I finished a long jerk-off while Christian was in the
shower.  It felt great to release a week's worth of pent up sexual
frustration.

   I pretended to work on my calculus homework after breakfast.  I had
trouble concentrating but I worked my way through the problems anyway.  I
finished just before lunch.  I headed over to the Training Table to meet
the rest of the team.  We all went over to the Lasch Building to prepare.
Jeremiah Nowak and the Hungarian twins, Max Rosen and Karol Ziska, kept us
entertained with jokes and stories.

   The stadium was filling when we came out for warm-ups.  I scanned the
student section.  The girls had remade their "Kyle's Krazies" sign from
last week.  I went over to say hi to Kelly, Jen, Cindy and Bev.  I was
shocked when I got there.  The sign belonged to a couple guys I didn't
know. One of them recognized me and said "Good luck in the game today
Kyle."

   I replied, "Thanks.  I appreciate your support." I headed back to the
field for my warm-ups.  The Notre Dame players came out as we were
finishing up.  I sought out Jeremy as soon as they came out.

   "The Wolverines won 58-17 last night." I explained.

   "No shit?  That's great."

   I went on to explain the details of the game that Andy had sent me. 
Jeremy observed, "I guess the team is getting along without us."

   "It would seem that way." I answered.

   "Good luck today Kyle."

   "Thanks.  You have a good game." I countered.  We shook hands as we
parted.

   I spotted the girl's "Kyle's Krazies/Christian's Crew" sign hanging from
the railing in the student section on the way inside.  I stopped and talked
with the girls for a few minutes before I went back to the locker room.

   My teammates were getting their game faces on, getting psyched up for
the fight, when I got back inside.  Coach Burton gave a stirring pre-game
talk.  We didn't care what the odds-makers or pollsters said, we were going
to beat Notre Dame.  The 110,000 standing room only crowd cheered
deliriously as we were introduced.

   Notre Dame won the coin toss and started with the ball first.  Aaron
Morano batted down their third down pass on the sixth play of the drive to
force them to punt.  I headed out to the field to our 24 yard line to
receive the ball.  Their punter boomed the ball.  I drifted back to catch
it.  I watched the ball into my arms, tucked it away and looked down field
to see....  Jeremy, three feet in front of me flying at me!  I wrapped both
hands around the ball and braced.  BOOM!  Jeremy hit me mid-chest, driving
me backwards into the turf.  I saw stars when I landed.  Jeremy rolled off
me, got up and offered me a hand up off the ground.

   "I told you I wasn't going to show you any mercy today." He said.

   "Fair enough." I replied.

   I looked for Josh Bruno when I got back to the sideline.  When I found
him I said, "God Damn IT!  I told you about Jeremy.  What the hell happened
to your block?"

   "Sorry Kyle.  He was faster than I thought.  It won't happen again."
Josh promised.

   I turned my attention back to the field.  The clock said it was 3rd down
and 8 yards to go.  I watched a couple Irish defensive lineman hurry Zack.
Bo Cherry broke away from the corner covering him.  Zack saw this
immediately, cocked his arm and fired the ball to Bo.  One of their linemen
leapt up and batted the ball as it flew by.  The ball popped high into the
air.  An Irish linebacker grabbed it and ran for our end zone.

   He caught the ball on our 21 yard line.  Our offensive linemen weren't
nearly quick enough to react and catch him.  Zack was.  He ran the
linebacker down and lunged at the 2 yard line, bringing him down. 
Unfortunately, not before he fell across the goal line to score.  Touchdown
Notre Dame!  You could hear a 110,000 people gasp at the play.  Notre Dame
made the PAT to put them ahead 7-0.

   I was stunned at how quickly it had happened.  Less than two minutes had
gone by and we found ourselves in a hole.  I went out to the field to
accept Notre Dame's kickoff.  Their kicker boomed the ball deep into the
end zone.  Leslie Jones wisely signaled for me to down the ball for a
touchback.  Zack and the offense got to try again from our 20 yard line.

   We knew Notre Dame's defense was pretty good.  We found out just how
good that first half.  They bottled up Shawn O'Conner and our running game.
Our offensive line is probably our least experienced unit on our team.  We
have one senior, two juniors and a sophomore on the line.  Only, Jelani
Hill, a junior playing center, has started before this season.  They just
couldn't open up gaps in Notre Dame's defensive line.

   With little threat from the run, Notre Dame turned up the heat on Zack.
He was constantly hurried, knocked down and occasionally sacked.  All we
could do was complete some short, quick passes to keep the offense moving.
We could sustain a drive to a point that way, but eventually something went
wrong - a penalty, a dropped pass, a sack.  We didn't score any points in
the first half.

   Our defense slowed Notre Dame but couldn't stop them.  I couldn't
believe it but Notre Dame's left guard was able to block Antwaan Booker
without assistance.  I hadn't seen that happen this year (or last year on
TV).  It allowed them more flexibility on plays - pull the right guard for
a sweep to the left, send the fullback through our line to block middle
linebacker, and other things like that.

   Our defense slowed them but couldn't stop Notre Dame from scoring
another touchdown and field goal in the first half.  We left the quiet
stadium and went into the locker room down 17-0 at half time.

   The offense, the defense, and the special teams gathered with our
coaches to discuss adjustments to counter what Notre Dame was doing to us.
Coach Ferguson explained, "We've got to stop 52.  That guy is killing us."
My friend, Jeremy North, wore number 52 in college.  "I want Tony King to
double up with Bruno to block this guy."

   Damian Thompson interrupted.  "I can block him on my own coach.  If we
double North somebody else is going to come free and nail Kyle.  Give me a
chance."

   Coach Ferguson stared at Damian for a moment.  "I'm not sure about that
Thompson."

   "I've played him a couple times in high school.  I can do it." Damian
insisted.

   I added, "Damian really rocked Jeremy North last summer in the East/West
game.  I know, Jeremy told me that himself.  He said Damian hit harder than
any running back he ever played against.  Maybe you should give Damian a
try."

   Coach Ferguson seemed skeptical.  "You're OK with this Martin?"

   "He can do it.  Give him a try." I answered.

   "OK.  Thompson you're going to switch spots with Bruno." Coach Ferguson
said.  He went on to remind Josh and Damian of their revised
responsibilities.

   Coach Ferguson made another adjustment.  Normally I'm not allowed bring
a kick off out of the end zone.  I'm supposed to down the ball and put our
offense on our 20 yard line.  This half we were going to gamble a little. I
was allowed to take the ball out if I was within 3-4 yards behind the goal
line.  Leslie Jones would monitor my position and let me know if I was
allowed to return the ball.

   Coach Burton assured us that we could take control of the second half
with the planned adjustments.  We returned to the field confident that we
could still win the game.

   I lined up on our 5 yard line to accept the second half kickoff.  Leslie
lined up to my left, ready to help me.  Notre Dame's kicker boomed the ball
deep again.  I backed up into the end zone.  I watched the ball into my
arms, tucked it away and looked over to Leslie for direction.

   Leslie hesitated a moment.  I knew I was pretty deep in the end zone. 
Leslie frantically signaled for me to return the ball.  I scanned the field
and ran forward to get behind my wedge.  I followed behind them for about
fifteen yards until they contacted the Notre Dame players.

   Damian did his job on Jeremy.  He didn't beat him, but he did neutralize
him.  I watched for our blockers to open a hole.  None appeared.  I decided
to run left.  I made it past the chaos around the wedge.  Leslie blocked
his man towards the center of the field.  I headed behind Leslie's block
for the left sideline.  I streaked down along the sideline until one of the
Irish tacklers tried to cut me off.  I cut back towards the center of the
field when he over pursued me.

   I had the kicker to beat.  He went low to try to take me off my feet.  I
jumped to try to hurdle his tackle.  He grabbed a leg and pulled me down as
one of the other Irish players tackled me from behind.  I went down hard. I
hopped up immediately.

   The Penn State crowd let out a loud cheer as I got up.  I looked over at
yard markers.  I made it to Notre Dame's 32 yard line.  I made a great
return.  "Good job man" Zack said as I jogged off and he took the field
with the offense.

   It took Zack and the offense eight plays, but they stuffed the ball into
the end zone on a third down pass to Derek Whitaker.  Coop kicked the ball
through the uprights for the PAT.  Score: 17-7 Notre Dame

   Notre Dame answered our score with a good drive of their own.  Our
adjustments helped but we couldn't stop them.  They moved the ball down the
field to our 27 yard line before we could halt their drive.  They had 3rd
and eight yards to go.  Coach C called a line stunt.  Antwaan Booker and
Mehmed Maric, our defensive tackles, crossed routes as they pursued the
Notre Dame quarterback.  The excellent right guard shoved Mehmed out of the
way.  Antwaan found himself covered by the center.  He bull-rushed, pushing
the center into the quarterback, knocking all of them to the ground for a
sack.  Notre Dame kicked a field goal to bring their lead to 20-7.

   Notre Dame's kicker booted the ball into the end zone, so I didn't get a
chance for a return.  Zack and the offense managed to push across midfield
before a holding penalty bogged the drive down.  Steve Cobb pinned Notre
Dame against their end zone.  Antwaan, Jake and Mehmed kept their tailback
pinned down.  On third down and six, Jake Washington tipped a pass.  Pete
Klein dove for the ball and managed to catch it before it hit the ground.
Notre Dame downed Pete when he landed on the ground.

   Zack and the offense scored a touchdown on the fourth play when Zack
found Evan Foster free in the end zone.  Coop kicked the PAT to bring the
score to 20-14 Notre Dame.

   Neither team could find further advantage in the remainder of the third
and the beginning of the fourth quarter.  The tide turned to our favor in
the middle of the fourth quarter.  Antwaan sacked their QB after they got
backed up by a penalty.  They punted the ball back to us.

   On the ensuing punt Damian kept Jeremy under control again.  I wasn't
able to break the return deep, but I got the ball out to our 36 yard line.
It was a good starting position.  Coach Burton tried to keep Notre Dame off
balance by having Zack roll out to avoid the rush.  We tried a screen too,
but Notre Dame didn't bite on our fake.  I went in on one of the plays on
the drive.  The defense double covered me on the pass.  Zack fired the ball
to Bo Cherry since he was single covered.  I watched from the sideline
while our guys moved the ball down the field into Notre Dame's red zone.

   Coach Schroeder sent me out onto the field again.  We were at ND's 23
yard line.  I lined up in the slot, Bo to my right.  I was to run for the
right corner of the end zone while Bo crossed in front of me and ran for
the goal post.  It was a more sophisticated version of the crossing play
Pete Ellis and I ran last year in high school.  The Irish free safety
decided to cover Bo instead of me this time.  I ran for the corner of the
end zone, closely followed by the d-back.  I turned back towards Zack and
jumped, grabbing the ball over the shorter d-back's out-stretched hands. 
He tried to wrestle it away from me but I managed to tuck it away and land
in bounds.

   The referee blew his whistle and signaled touchdown!  Beaver Stadium
erupted in cheers, applause and the thunder of stamping feet.  I held the
ball aloft to acknowledge their cheers and then gave it to the ref.  First
Bo, then Evan and then the rest of the team surrounded me.  I got slaps on
the back, "Way to go", head butts and hugs to celebrate.  We made our way
down our side line towards the bench.  The Nittany Lion high fived me and
gave me a hug when I jogged by.  He had just finished the one handed push
ups he did to celebrate touchdowns.

   Gary Stanton, the gymnast who plays the Lion, shouted, ""Good job Kyle!"
and faked giving me a kiss on the cheek.  Gary was studying to be a PE
teacher like Zack and was friends with him.  Zack had introduced us last
Saturday night at the party.  Gary held my arm aloft like a victorious
boxer and then let me go back to the bench.

   Coop drilled the PAT to give us a tenuous 21-20 lead over the Fighting
Irish.  Our defense had to hold them from scoring for 3 ½ minutes.  Coop
put the kick off in the end zone to prevent the Irish from returning the
ball.  They got possession on their 20 yard line.

   Penn State fans are pretty savvy fans.  They filled Beaver Stadium with
cheers of "D-fense".  It was so loud that I couldn't hear anyone around me
when they tried to talk to me.  I don't know how Notre Dame could hear
anything on the field.

   In the end, none of that mattered.  The Notre Dame offense played poised
in spite of the pandemonium around them.  They pushed the ball down the
field on the ground.  Their big offensive line took control of the game. 
They neutralized Antwaan Booker, got blockers on our linebackers, and
ground it out - four or five yards a play.  You know you're in trouble when
the first person to touch the runner is a safety.  That was us.  Dominic
"Cuch" Cuchiella and Yasin Clark had to make the tackle on almost every
play.  We finally got them stopped when we guessed right with a run blitz.
Pete Klein tackled the running back for a two yard loss on third down and
two yards to go.  Unfortunately the stop was on our 19 yard line.  Coach
Weiss sent their kicker in on fourth down.  He nailed the field goal to put
them ahead 23-21.

   Coach Ferguson told me not to return any ball in the end zone.  A return
would take too long.  The Irish kicker boomed the ball into the end zone
again.  I caught it and downed it to give us possession at our 20 yard
line. Coach Burton sent in five receivers: Bo, Anders, Derek, Evan and me.
We had 27 seconds and one time out left to win the game.

   Notre Dame countered with seven defensive backs.  Two covered me, two
covered Bo, and one each to the others.  They played 15-20 yards off the
line of scrimmage so we couldn't get deep on them.  Zack completed a pass
to Anders on the far sideline for a 22 yard gain on the first play.  Evan
gained 18 yards across the middle on the next play.  He couldn't get out of
bounds.  Zack used our last time out.

   We had only 12 seconds left - time for two plays.  Bo and Evan went down
the right side line - Bo deep and Evan shorter.  Anders and Derek did the
same thing on the left side line.  I sprinted downfield towards the goal
post.  A whistle blew the play dead just as I reached the end zone.  I
looked back to see Zack being helped off the ground by an Irish lineman. 
Zack had thrown the ball away before he could be sacked.

   We did a Hail Mary play for our last play.  All five of us receivers
ended up bunched up with a crowd of ND defenders in the middle of the end
zone.  Zack launched the ball into the crowd.  It was tipped at least three
times before it fell incomplete.

   Notre Dame's players celebrated their win while my friends and I huddled
together to console each other.  Jeremy sought me out as soon as he could
get across the field.  Jeremy declared, "I thought you were going to get us
Kyle.  You played a hell of a game."

   Dejectedly I responded, "I didn't play well enough.  We lost."

   "You're being too hard on yourself."

   I finally remembered one of the lessons my Mom taught me.  Be gracious
in defeat.  "You guys have a great team Jeremy.  Good luck the rest of the
season."

   "We do have a good team.  I think we can go all the way.  I believe we
are going to be national champions this season." Jeremy said.

   "Good luck at that.  I know we won't be." I said glumly.  "Tell Kathy I
said `Hi.'" Kathy is Jeremy's girlfriend and my friend from back home.  She
was attending Notre Dame with Jeremy.

   "You do the same for me with Penny." Jeremy and I gave each other a hug
before we parted.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------------

   Zack hosted a party at his apartment that night.  No one was in the mood
for a lot of celebrating.  We listened to music, talked, ate our snacks and
drank our beers.  I spent part of the night talking with Chelsea Wright and
her friend Rachel Moore.  Chelsea flirted with me.  I flirted back.  Jay
Nicholson ended up hanging with us too.

   Part way through the party Zack and his girl de-jour disappeared
upstairs for a good romp in bed.  Jay and Rachel hit it off.  Jay gave me a
smile and wink as he escorted her out and back to our dorms.  I knew Jay
expected to sweet talk his way into Rachel's pants tonight.  I saw Anders
Voight and Johara Sofay head upstairs for fun too.

   Chelsea continued flirting and touching me - trying to get my motor
going.  She was successful.  I had a wicked boner that wouldn't go down. 
She spotted my bulge and gave it a pat.  "Let's go back to my room.  We
could have some fun tonight." She cooed.

   "I shouldn't.  I have a girlfriend already." I protested.  I stood up.
"Would you like another beer?" I suggested.  I needed to do something to
get away.  My resolve to stay faithful to Penny was taking a beating.

   "Sure." Chelsea answered.

   I headed for Zack's kitchen.  I grabbed two beers.  I had a drink of
mine before I went back out.  Why couldn't I go with Chelsea tonight?  What
harm was there in a fun roll in the hay with a cute girl?  No one else
needed to know.

   I shook that thought off.  That was my little head talking - the one
that would get me in deep shit with my girlfriend.  I finished my beer and
carried Chelsea's out to the living room.  I found her embracing Trevor
Conwell.  They were peering into each other's eyes whispering to each
other.

   I found a few friends and talked with them, drinking Chelsea's beer.  I
saw Trevor and Chelsea leave arm in arm.  I expected Trevor was going to
get lucky too tonight.  I left the party a few minutes later.

   The last beer had been my sixth.  That was more than I intended to have.
I managed to walk back to the dorms without staggering... much.  I thought
about all the sex going on around me tonight.  Tania was staying over with
Aaron tonight.  Zack was getting laid.  So was Jay, Trevor and Anders. 
Shit!  I could be getting laid if I wanted to.

   My dorm room was dark and quiet when I got back.  I turned on my desk
light so I could see a little bit.  I discovered Christian's bed was empty!
My goody-two-shoes roommate was out after midnight with Bev.  Who knows,
maybe he was finally losing his virginity.

   I stripped down and climbed in bed.  I took advantage of my privacy to
jerk off and relieve my frustrations.  I wanted it to be long and slow.  It
wasn't.  I was too horny for that.  I splattered cum all over my chest.  I
cleaned up, rolled over and went to sleep.

   Chapter 4

   =========

   I woke up Sunday morning and glanced up at my clock.  My head swam. 
Damn!  I promised myself I wouldn't drink so much this Saturday night.  I
lifted my head slowly again and looked.  It was a few minutes after 9:30. I
gathered up a cup, my shower stuff and a couple Tylenol.  I came back to my
room twenty minutes later clean, hydrated and medicated for my hangover.  I
flipped on the overhead light and got a shock.  Christian was still
sleeping.

   I tried to get the light off quickly, but not before Christian woke up.
Christian lifted his head and moaned, "Oooohhhhh....  What time is it
Kyle?"

   "Almost 10 o'clock.  I'm sorry for waking you.  I didn't realize you
were still sleeping."

   "It's OK Kyle.  I need to get up for church." Christian explained as he
sat up in his bed.

   "What time did you get in last night?"

   "Ummm....  Quarter of one?  One o'clock?  I'm not sure." Christian
explained.

   "Ahh... my roommate the wild man.  Too much partying?" I teased.

   "No.  Bev's roommate Cindy went home this weekend.  We went out to a
movie last night and then went back to her room."

   I teased, "Really?  Did you ... heh....  heh... make Bev a woman last
night?"

   "NO!" Christian shook his head no violently.  "No.  We are waiting until
we get married for that.  You know what the Bible says about fornication."
Christian paused for a few seconds and grinned.  "Now I don't know that
I've ever seen anything in the Bible about getting to second base."

   I laughed.  My straight arrow roomie wasn't quite as straight arrow as
he seemed.  I teased, "I don't recall seeing anything in the Bible about
third base either."

   "Above the waist is our personal line.  We don't want to get too carried
away."

   "I understand how that can happen.  I guess second base can be a lot of
fun."

   "Yes - it was." Christian said.  He headed over to take his shower.  I
went to Pollock Commons to find a Sunday paper.

   ---------------------------------------------------------

   Penny called promptly at seven o'clock Sunday evening as we agreed the
previous Sunday.  Penny greeted me with, "Hi honey.  I love you."

   "I love you too."

   "I saw the game yesterday.  I'm sorry your team lost." Penny replied.

   We went on to talk about how my week went.  Penny talked about her
latest problems with the roommate from hell, Nicole.  We talked about my
dinner with Jeremy and how things are going for him and Kathy.  We were
almost finished talking when Penny brought this up.

   "I had a funny thing happen this afternoon.  I was hanging out in the
lounge with my friend Erin Lambert, her friend from home David and his
roommate Andrew."

   I asked, "Erin?"

   "Didn't I tell you about her?  Erin and I are Chem lab partners.  David
is a friend of hers from back home.  They went to high school together. 
They're pre-med and I'm pre-vet.  We take the same courses."

   "I don't remember you talking about her before."

   Penny continued, "Anyway, we were reading the Philadelphia Inquirer
after lunch in the lounge.  David picked up the sports section and told us
about how the Phillies did last night.  Then he flipped it over and looked
at the bottom half of the page.

   "David said, `Shit!  I know this guy.' He held the paper up and pointed
at your picture.  `How do you know my boyfriend?' I exclaimed.

   "David asked, `Your boyfriend is Kyle Martin?'

   I interrupted Penny's story.  "How does this David know me?"

   Penny explained, "I'm getting to that part.  David is David Hanson.  He
knows you from..."

   "State track championships.  He's the guy I beat in the 100." I added.

   Penny continued, "Right.  David follows Penn State football because his
best friend is on the team.  What's his friend's name?"

   "Shawn... Shawn Byrd.  Shawn lives in my dorm a couple rooms down the
hall." I answered.

   "Anyway.  David was totally apologetic when he found out you were the
boyfriend I had.  He's been hitting on me - in a nice way.  He's asked me
out a couple times for dates.  I always tell him I have a boyfriend."

   I asked, "David is trying to date you?"

   "Don't get jealous.  He's a nice guy but I don't plan on dumping you for
him.  Actually David is totally embarrassed when he found out you were the
boyfriend I was with.  He asked me to pass on his apologies for trying to
pick up your girl.  He's so sorry."

   I said, "I guess I don't mind as long as David stops trying to date you.
Tell him I said hi."

   "He's a good guy.  He wouldn't do that.  David did ask you to tell Shawn
to call or write.  David hasn't heard from him in two weeks."

   "We've been really busy with football.  I'll pass the message on for
him."

   Penny and I finished our call.  I went back to studying.  I had a Math
quiz tomorrow morning.

   -----------------------------------------------------------------

   Monday morning's Daily Collegian brought more publicity for me.  I
wasn't sure if I welcomed it.  The lead article about the game was
headlined "Freshman Receiver Stands Out in Defeat." The article claimed I
was the catalyst for the second half come-back.  The reporter graded the
team.  The offensive line got a D.  I wouldn't have argued with that.  The
defensive line got a C, the linebackers a C and the defensive backs a B+.
They hadn't let Notre Dame hurt the team much.  The running backs got a C.
The receivers were graded at a B.  Unfairly they gave Zack Hayes a C- for
his quarterbacking.  The grade was flat wrong.  Zack was responsible for
all 21 points we scored.  We wouldn't have had a chance without him.

   My picture was on the front page again.  Students came up to
congratulate me on my game all day.  I got calls of "Way to go Kyle." and
"Keep it up." I think I preferred being anonymous on campus.

   My Math 110 quiz on Monday morning seemed to go well.  I was sure I got
the first 21 questions right.  They were easy things I had done last year
in high school.  I wasn't as sure about the last four questions.  They
covered the new material we had started last week.  I figured my grade
should be good on the test.

   Chelsea Wright sat beside me for our EDPSY class after lunch.  Chelsea
was embarrassed and totally apologetic about Saturday night.

   She explained, "I'm so sorry about ditching you at the party on Saturday
night.  I was uhh... How do I want to put this?"

   "You were horny?" I suggested.

   "It's been so long since I was with my ex-boyfriend.  My last time with
a guy was two months ago.  I just... just needed a good...." Chelsea
blushed.

   "You can say it."

   "A good screwing." Her face was bright red.

   "Don't be embarrassed.  I know how you feel.  I haven't made love to my
girlfriend in almost two months.  It drives me crazy." I explained.

   "I shouldn't have tried to tempt you Saturday night.  I know you have a
girlfriend.  I really wasn't being a good friend to you."

   "You were fine on Saturday night." I gave Chelsea a hug.  "You
definitely tempted me.  I was in the kitchen debating with myself if I
should take up your offer or not.  That was why it took me so long to come
back with your beer."

   "Would you have gone with me if Trevor hadn't picked me up?"

   "I honestly don't know.  It's probably best that Trevor was there.  You
got what you needed and I managed to stay faithful to Penny."

   "Think of me if you and... Penny?" I nodded yes.  "Think of me if you
and Penny ever break up.  You're a nice guy.  I think we could have some
fun together."

   "That's a promise Chelsea.  Right now we can settle for being good
friends."

   "Deal!" Chelsea said.  We gave each other a hug.

  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Coach Adams handed me a dozen new plays to add to my playbook.  He
wanted me to learn them all this week.  I wasn't going to get much playing
time against Illinois on Saturday.  The coaches wanted to save me for the
following week when we played Ohio State.  The games against Ohio State,
Michigan and Wisconsin were the three biggest rivals in the Big Ten.  They
didn't want to give Coach Tressel any extra chances to scout how I was used
in games.

   Zack pulled me aside after practice for a talk.

   Zack said, "You better watch your back around here.  Some of the guys
don't like how much publicity you've been getting."

   "I'm not real crazy about it either.  A couple weeks ago it was really a
trip to have kids recognize me in class or on the street.  I'm tired of
being recognized now."

   "That isn't what I meant Kyle.  Some of the wide receivers are upset."

   I had no idea any of the other receivers were mad at me.  They treated
me the same as always.  "Who do you mean?"

   "I'm not naming any names.  Bo Cherry is cool with you.  Anders is too.
The rest, well they're worried about you taking their job away or taking a
job they think they should have instead of you."

   "What do I do?" I asked.

   "Be humble.  Remember: `I'm just here trying to learn things.  I want to
help any way I can.' You got it?"

   "I AM just trying to learn things.  I had no idea learning a new offense
was this hard." I protested.

   "It took me a year to learn it all.  Even then you still have studying
to do to keep up as the coaches make adjustments.  I just got the dozen new
plays they are putting in for you for the Ohio State game.  The learning
never stops." Zack explained.

   I asked, "What do I do about the other receivers?"

   "I know you have been asking questions and getting help from Bo and
Anders.  Ask the second and third year guys for help too.  Stroke their
egos.  Make them feel a part of any success you have."

   "OK Zack, I'll try it." I answered.  I was lucky to have a friend like
Zack on this team.  I couldn't imagine how it would be without him here to
help me.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   My week flew by.  I had no time at all between homework, studying the
playbook, practice and learning the new plays.  I didn't manage to finish
all my assigned homework problems for Math 110 any day that week.

   My brother Andy e-mailed me big news from home on Tuesday night. 
Natalie Van Dyke gave birth on Monday evening.  She named the boy Peter
Michael Ellis Junior after his dad.  Peter was 8 pounds, 12 ounces and 21
inches long.  He sounded like a future tight end like his dad had been in
high school.  Natalie was the third girl in my friends' informal pregnancy
support group last spring.

   Andy told me that Pete Sr.  and Natalie were going to get married as
soon as Pete came home on leave after basic training.  Pete had enlisted in
the Army before he knew Natalie was pregnant.  Natalie's parents would help
with the baby for the rest of Natalie's senior year in high school.  She
and Pete Jr.  would move to whatever base Pete Sr.  was assigned to when
she graduated from high school next spring.  I was happy for Natalie and
Pete.  It sounded like things were going to work out for them.

   Kelly and Chelsea agreed to send me copies of their notes and our
homework assignments on Friday while I was traveling with the team to
Illinois.  It was great to have friends like them.

   Bai handed back the quizzes from Monday at our Thursday review class for
Math 110.  I got an 87.  I was pleased with the result.

   The trip to Champaign was very similar to the trip to Boston a few weeks
earlier.  I met the bus at the Lasch Building after Math 110 class on
Friday morning.  We flew out of the University Park Airport to Illinois and
took a bus to a hotel near the University of Illinois campus.  We had team
meetings on Friday night; curfew at 11 pm; Saturday breakfast at the hotel
followed by a walk through practice at Memorial Stadium.

   Coach Ron Zook had built this team up from being one of the Big Ten's
doormats a few years before.  The older team members were still smarting
from losing to this team two years ago.  They were going to do their
damnedest to make sure that didn't happen again.

   Memorial Stadium wasn't nearly as big as Beaver Stadium.  It had a
capacity just over 57,000 fans.  I figured we could handle the noise in
this crowd.  If Zack did his job, they'd be quiet anyway.  Being on the
short end of the score tended to quiet hostile crowds.

   Coach Zook and the Fighting Illini surprised us.  Our team is pretty
balanced on offense - about an equal number of runs and passes in a game.
The Illini decided to put eight guys in the box - the defensive
line/linebacker area close to the line of scrimmage.  For some reason I
couldn't fathom they wanted to stop our running game cold.  They challenged
Zack to pass our team to victory.

   Zack was more than up to the challenge.  He threw for four touchdowns
and 282 yards in the first half.  Our poor tailback, Shawn O'Conner, had
horrible stats: 16 carries for 51 yards.  We led 31-7 at halftime.

   Illinois came out with a more conventional defense in the second half.
The adjustment was much too late.  Our defense harassed their quarterback
unmercifully.  We sacked him seven times.  Both Aaron and Cuch picked off
errant passes he threw up under pressure.  We cruised to an easy victory -
Score: 38-20 Penn State
Zack ended up completing 34 passes on 41 attempts for 388 yards and five
touchdowns before Coach Burton pulled him at the beginning of the fourth
quarter.  My friend had the best day of his college career.  It showed he

was ready to fulfill the expectations the fans placed on him.

   Christian and Tanner each got two plays with the first string offense
that day.  Each caught a pass.  Christian's was on a third and long to give
the team a first down.  Christian was ecstatic to finally feel a part of
our offense.

   I did a decent job returning punts and kicks.  The Illini had good
special teams.  I never managed to break away for long gains.  It settled
for an average of 31 yards a return on kicks and 14.5 yards a return on
punts.  I wasn't going to be featured in the Daily Collegian on Monday. 
That was just fine with me.

   The team returned home late on Saturday night to a welcome by a few
hundred die-hard fans.  Christian and I went straight to bed.  It had been
a tiring trip.

  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

   My brother Andy sent me a report of Friday night's high school football
game.  My Wolverines (they still seemed like my team) had trounced Elanco
on Friday night 49-0.  Andy added another three touchdowns to his career
stats.  Jake Kring had another monster game: 21 of 24 passing for 310 yards
and five touchdowns.  I was proud of the kids I had helped train the last
couple off-seasons.

   I called Penny Sunday evening at 7 pm as scheduled.  I called in the
middle of a fight between Penny and her roommate Nicole.  Penny promised to
call me back a little later.  Penny was in a pissy mood when she called me
a half hour later.  I got an earful of how horrible a person Nicole was.  I
was kind of glad that Penny wasn't in the mood to talk long.  This wasn't
an enjoyable conversation.  I wished there was something I could do for
Penny, but I couldn't.

   Dr.  Henderson tried to trip me up with a question again in EDPSY 14
Monday afternoon.  His question was from Friday's lecture not from the
assigned reading.  Chelsea had taken good notes.  I knew the answer.  I
also knew that I pissed off Dr.  Henderson by knowing the answer.  What
could I do?  I'd piss him off too if I didn't know the answer.  I would do
my best in his class regardless of his personal opinion of football
players. Josh Bruno was lucky.  Dr.  Henderson didn't know Josh played
football too.

   Coach Burton called Zack and me into his office after practice Monday
afternoon.  We sat down in front of the coach's desk.  Coach Burton asked,
"What do you gentlemen know about Jacob Kring?"

   I answered, "I know him real well from back home.  We're friends."

   Zack replied, "Jacob Kring.  I don't know if I know him." He turned to
me.  "Who is he Kyle?"

   "You remember.  When you started us doing spring practice in high school
your senior year.  Jake was the second quarterback in the practice."

   "Oh, him.  I can't tell you much about him Coach.  I barely remember
him. He was in what... like seventh or eighth grade?"

   I confirmed, "Jake was in eighth grade that spring."

   Zack continued, "I arely remember the kid Coach.  He was young and
didn't know much of anything about playing quarterback.  He was really
green."

   "He obviously has learned a few things since then.  Kyle, since you know
Jacob, how did somebody putting up stats like his this fall never start a
game before he was a senior?" Coach Burton asked.

   I replied, "Jake actually did start one game as a sophomore when our
regular quarterback was sick.  The reason Jake didn't start was because he
was stuck behind a two time all-state quarterback.  You know Ed Fritz ended
up on scholarship at Florida, right?"

   Coach Burton asked me, "Yes, I do.  Are you in contact with Jacob?"

   "No.  The only person on my high school team I talk with is my brother."
I answered.

   "Your brother's another player we are watching, but he'll wait.  I'm
going to give Mr.  Kring a call tonight.  He needs to put Penn State on his
list of colleges."

   "Cool.  I'm really happy for Jake." I said.  Coach Burton dismissed us.
I was almost out the door when I asked, "Coach - you said you're watching
my brother.  Does Andy have a chance at a scholarship here?"

   Coach Burton answered, "Ten touchdowns in his first three games.  What
do you think?"

   "Yeah, I guess you're interested in him.  Would Andy be welcome if he
came for an unofficial visit this year?"

   "Of course he'd be welcome." Coach answered.  I would need to plant that
idea in Andy's head.  It would be cool to show my brother around campus and
have him and Dad come to one of the games.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------------

   Our game against Ohio State was one of our big three games for the
season.  We lost to Notre Dame in our first big game.  We could redeem
ourselves by beating #6 ranked Ohio State and then beating #2 ranked
Michigan later in the season.  If we did that we make it to one of the big
BCS bowl games.  Beating Ohio State was going to be a challenge.  We were
ranked #13.

   The coaches were installing new plays that we hadn't used before to
surprise Ohio State.  I spent nearly half of every practice working with
Zack and the first string.  I guessed the coaches planned to play me more
than in previous games.  Coach Adams was constantly after me to learn more
plays in our playbook.  I was trying to cram so much information in my head
that week that I had trouble keeping everything straight.

   I tried Zack's suggestion to ask the sophomore and junior receivers for
suggestions and help in learning the system.  Hassan Jackson and Aidan Nagy
responded positively.  I had already passed Max Rosen and Alex Majerowicz
on the depth chart.  They didn't respond well.  I guess Alex and Max are
destined to be rivals not friends.

   I sent Andy an e-mail talking about how much I enjoyed my unofficial
visit to Penn State two years ago.  I told him how easy it was for Dad to
set up with the visit.  I sent Dad an e-mail saying that I wished he could
see me play sometime.  I pointedly reminded him how much fun the two of us
had last year when we went to the games at Penn State, Michigan and LSU
during recruiting visits.  My less than subtle hints to Andy had the
desired effect.

   Coach Burton called Zack Hayes, Trevor Conwell, Amir Hill and Jay
Nicholson into his office to discuss the potential recruits visiting this
weekend.  Amir, a back-up tight end, was nursing a sprained ankle and
wasn't going to play this weekend.  Jay was red-shirting, so he wasn't busy
on Saturdays either.  Zack, Trevor and I were going to escort Chip Brinton,
Bruce MacCauley, Nicholas Smith and David McCall around campus when they
arrived Saturday morning.  Amir and Jay would take care of them while Zack,
Trevor and I prepared for the game and during the game.  Zack, Trevor and I
would take over again that evening.

   Coach Burton had Zack and me stay after he finished talking with the
rest of the guys.  He explained that he wanted us to be guides on November
14th too.  The visiting prospects would include Jake Kring and my brother
Andy that weekend.

   The university organized a pep rally on Friday night at Rec Hall.  The
Blue Band, the Nittany Lion and the cheerleaders sent the student's
enthusiasm through the ceiling that evening.  The starters were introduced
to the crowd.  The rest of the teams enjoyed the cheers from the crowd.

   This game was being broadcast nationally as befitted a game between two
highly ranked teams.  We weren't starting until 3:30 pm.  I worked on a
paper I had for Rhetoric and Composition and read my Poly Sci assignment to
pass the time in the morning.  I headed over to meet Coach Burton, the
prospects and their parents at 11:30 at the Lasch Building.

   Trevor and I greeted Chip warmly.  Coach Burton introduced the rest of
the prospects and their families.  I had already met Chip's dad - Ells
Brinton.  Chip's mom's name was Sara.  Bruce MacCauley, a wide receiver,
came with his dad Frank.  Linebacker prospect Nicholas Smith was here with
his parents Michael and Laura.  David McCall was one of the top cornerbacks
in the state.  He and his parents David Sr.  and Robin were from West
Chester, Pa.

   Our group headed over to the Training Table for lunch.  We got to know
our charges over lunch.  Bruce was from Medford, Pa.  Nick Smith was from
Westminster, Maryland.  The coaches turned the prospects and their parents
over to Zack, Trevor, Jay, Amir and me.

   Zack needed to prepare for the game.  He headed out after promising to
rejoin the group after the game.  The rest of us took the group to the
creamery for ice cream.  Trevor and I headed to the Lasch Building after
that.  Amir and Jay took the group on a tour of campus.

   Jay and Amir brought the recruits back to the locker room at the stadium
while we were getting dressed.  Jay kept the recruits out of the way at one
end of the locker room.  When I was dressed, I headed over to talk with
them.

   I asked Chip.  "What did you think of campus?"

   "It was OK.  I've been here before.  It looks a lot like other
campuses." Chip answered.

   "Have you done any other official visits?"

   "Yes.  My dad and I went down to Tennessee last weekend.  We watched
them get walloped by LSU." Chip said.

   "Yeah, that was a blow-out, wasn't it?" The final score had been 45-10
LSU.  I looked over at the other recruits and asked, "Any one else done any
visits yet?"

   Nick Smith had been to Rutgers a couple weeks ago.  He hadn't met my
friend Hal Long, their number two kicker.  David McCall had visited
Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh.  This was Bruce MacCauley's first official
visit.

   I asked, "Chip, David.  I assume you guys know each other.  Do your
teams play against each other?"

   David said, "No, we've never met before."

   "It's weird.  We live ten miles apart and read about each other in the
Daily Local.  West Chester Henderson plays in a different league from my
team." Chip explained.

   David added, "We read about each other's games in the same paper.  It's
good to finally meet you Chip."

   I said, "Next season you guys can get to know each other real well - as
teammates."

   Trevor came over and picked up the conversation.  Zack came out of the
pre-game QB conference and stopped by.  I asked, "Are you inviting these
guys to the party this evening?"

   Zack answered.  "Of course." He turned to address the whole group. 
"Some of the team members are getting together at my apartment later this
evening.  You will get a chance to meet some of the guys, hang out and
relax."

   I saw Chip grinning.  I knew he was remembering the party Zack invited
us to last spring when we visited to watch the Blue and White Game.  Chip
had more than a few beers.  Johara Safay found him at the party.  She took
him upstairs and screwed him six ways to Sunday.  Christian, Trevor and I
took a slightly drunk and very happy junior home that evening.  I'm sure
Chip was hoping for a repeat.

   The coaches called for us to head out for warm-ups.  The recruits stood
along the sideline watching us.  Trevor and I met with the recruits when we
were done.  We talked for a few minutes.  Zack joined us when he was ready.
Zack made sure they all knew the plans for the evening.  Trevor, Zack and I
were taking them downtown for dinner while their parents had dinner with
Coach and Mrs.  Burton.  The guys wished us luck as we headed inside for
our final preparations.

   Christian and I stopped by to say hello to Bev, Cindy, Kelly and Jen. 
They had their `Kyle's Krazies and Christian's Crew' sign hanging from the
railing in the student section.  I stopped by to say hi to the guys with
the other Kyle's Krazies sign.  One of the guys said, "Make sure you kick
Ohio State's ass today Kyle." The other guy added, "Go score a touchdown
for us Kyle."

   "I'll try my best guys." I promised.  It was really cool to have a
cheering section of my own.  I headed inside for our final preparations.

   We won the coin toss.  Aaron elected to receive the kickoff.  I took my
position on our 5 yard line and waited for the kick.  Ohio State's kicker
booted the ball down to me.  I drifted a couple yards to the right and
fielded the ball.  I ran down the field to get behind my blocking wedge.

   I scanned the field, watching the play develop.  Trevor shoved his man
to his left.  Damian Thompson was on Trevor's right.  Damian had learned to
love all the hitting on special teams over the past two months.  He blasted
into his man, pushing him backwards.  He and Trevor had opened a hole big
enough for me to walk through untouched.  I sprinted through at top speed.

   Ohio State's 57 and 48 zeroed in on me.  I faked going right.  When they
reacted I cut back to my left.  No.  57 lunged for me as I went by.  I
skipped away as he tackled thin air.  The kicker and a safety were the only
people left with a shot at me.  I angled towards the left sideline away
from the safety.  The kicker stayed with me.

   I tried to fake the kicker but he stayed with me.  I tried to stiff arm
him when he came up for the tackle.  The kicker grabbed my arm as I tried
to push him away.  I used a lifesaving release to rip his hand off my arm.

   The wrestling took too long.  The fastest Ohio State players caught up
with me.  One of the guys managed to shove me out of bounds before I could
get into the end zone.  I slowed to a stop, tossed the ball to a ref, and
watched as they spotted the ball on Ohio State's 12 yard line.

   I trotted back to our bench.  I teased Zack Hayes, "I hope you guys are
happy with the field position.  Do you think you can score from there?"

   "Good job Kyle.  I think we can manage 12 yards." Zack answered.

   Zack was correct.  We scored but it was harder than we anticipated.  We
ran into the line twice with Shawn O'Conner, but only made 4 yards.  Zack
spotted Anders Voight crossing in the back of the end zone on third down.
He rifled the ball in for our first touchdown.

   Ohio State's run/pass ratio 60% runs / 40% passes.  This was good news
for our stout defense.  Antwaan Booker and his line mates made life
difficult for Ohio State's running backs.  Ohio State only managed to score
one touchdown as halftime approached.

   Ohio State had a stifling run defense.  They forced us to rely on our
passing game.  I'm sure that's part of the reason the coaches wanted me
playing more.  I caught three passes on the five plays when I was on the
field.  As happened in previous games, Ohio State had trouble deciding who
to cover with two d-backs - Bo Cherry or me.  Zack made sure who ever was
single covered got the ball.  We managed to score another touchdown when
Zack found Derek Whitaker alone in the end zone when Ohio State paid too
much attention to Bo and me.

   Our defense stopped Ohio State with around 4 minutes left in the half.
They punted the ball back to us.  I picked up fourteen yards on the return,
an OK return but not great one.  Coach Burton sent me out with the offense
on the first play.

   I was the primary receiver on the play Zack called.  We expected Ohio
State would cover Bo with two defenders.  I ran downfield at the snap,
accompanied by one defender.  This play called for me to curl inside after
faking a hitch if the defense was man to man.  I was twenty yards downfield
when I made my fake and curled inside for the ball.

   I looked back to watch the ball into my hands.  I saw it fly towards the
sideline, probably fifteen yards away from where I was.  Why in the hell
did Zack think Ohio State was in zone defense?  The play called for each of
us to read the defense and adjust the route accordingly.

   I watched the cornerback adjust and intercept Zack's pass.  After a
moment's hesitation I ran after the cornerback.  I made about three steps
when I saw a large white and red blur come at me from the side.  I looked
just in time to see No.  51, their big middle linebacker, fly at me.  He
collided with me and drove me hard into the turf.

   I rolled over and shook the cobwebs out of my head.  I stared down the
field in time to see Zack miss a tackle on the cornerback.  He carried the
ball into the end zone for a touchdown.  Ohio State completed the PAT to
bring the score to 14-14.

   I trotted back to the sideline, confused by what had gone wrong.  Zack
intercepted me immediately.  "What the fuck was that Kyle?"

   "I don't know.  Why did you throw it there?" I asked.

   Zack banged his hand against the top of my helmet.  "Hello?  It was zone
defense deep.  What were you thinking?"

   Sheepishly I asked, "Are you sure?  I thought it was man defense."

   "Damn it Kyle.  Get your shit together.  I'm going to be charged with
the interception.  The Buckeyes are tied with us now instead of being down
a couple scores.  Why the fuck should we play you if you don't know what
the hell you're doing?" Zack growled.

   "I'm sorry" I offered lamely.

   "'I'm sorry' doesn't cut it Kyle!" Zack said.  He stalked away.  I went
over to Coach Ferguson to get ready for the kick off.

   Coach Ferguson said, "Sit down and get your head straight Martin.  Riggs
will get this kick."

   I found a quiet spot away from the coaches.  I licked my mental wounds.
Film study on Monday wasn't going to be any fun for me.

   Tanner did a good job with the kick return.  Zack and the offense
started off on our 36 yard line.  They managed to drive the ball down the
field for a field goal before time ran out in the half.  We led 17-14.

   Coach Adams chewed me out during half time for blowing the play that
cost us a touchdown in the first half.  He said I would go ahead and play
the other half a dozen plays in the second half.  "Make sure you get these
plays right!" he warned me.

   Ohio State made adjustments to their offense over half time.  They came
out better prepared in the second half.  They took the opening kick off of
the second half and pushed right down the field and scored a field goal to
tie the game.

   We couldn't score in reply.  A couple drives ended with dumb penalties.
The next drive ended when Shawn O'Conner fumbled the ball while he was
trying to get more yards for a first down.  Ohio State capitalized on the
turn over to score another field goal.  The score was stuck at 20-17 Ohio
State half way through the fourth quarter.

   I was in for my six plays in the third and start of the fourth quarter.
I made 67 yards on the first three catches.  Ohio State made sure I was
double covered for the next three plays.  Bo Cherry took advantage of them
for a couple deep balls when that happened.

   I was surprised at 5:13 left in the game when Coach Adams yelled,
"Martin, you're in on this play." I trotted out and joined the huddle.  I
wasn't real sure what to expect.  I wasn't prepared for any more plays
today.

   Zack called the play.  I didn't understand.  I asked, "What's this
play?" Zack repeated the play call.  I asked, "What am I supposed to do?"

   "God damn it Kyle!  You're supposed to know this play." Zack growled. 
Zack glanced at the play clock.  We had 12 seconds to get the play off.  He
repeated the call, but using our high school team's terminology.  I
understood.  Unfortunately no one else understood what Zack said.  A couple
guys asked, "What the hell?" Zack repeated, "Just run this play." and
repeated the original play call.  "Hurry up guys!  We're running out of
time.  Line up and go on the first sound.  Break!"

   All of us hustled to the line of scrimmage and prepared.  The play clock
was winding down to 0:04... 0:03....  0:02....  Zack growled "Blue!" Jelani
Hill snapped the ball to Zack.  Bo took off down the sideline on a streak
pattern for the end zone.  Ohio State's best cornerback covered Bo.  I
slanted across the middle covered by their nickel back.  The free safety
ran down the field to help double up on Bo.

   Zack fired the ball to me when I got half a step on the nickel back.  He
hit me in stride.  I pulled the ball into my body and ran as hard as I
could.  The nickel back missed his tackle.  I angled toward the left
sideline to put more distance between me and the free safety who was trying
to catch me.  I sprinted as hard as I could.

   No one touched me before I ran into the end zone to score a touchdown on
a 47 yard pass reception.  Beaver Stadium, which had been quiet for much of
the second half erupted.  The sounds from the cheers, applause, and foot
stomping were so loud I couldn't hear my friends talk as they mobbed me to
congratulate me on the score.  We trotted off the field to make way for the
PAT team.  Cooper Barnes put the ball through the uprights to give us a
24-20 lead in the game.

   The crowd exhorted our defense through the remainder of the game.  Our
defense managed to hold Ohio State scoreless for the last four minutes.  My
friends and teammates celebrated wildly.  We had knocked off a top rated
team that day!

   I caught 7 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown in the game.  I added in
3 kick returns for 141 yards and 4 punt returns for another 55 yards. 
Statistically it was my best day as a Nittany Lion by far.

   My pleasure was muted by the chewing out Zack Hayes gave me after the
game was over.  "God damn it Kyle.  You have to know your shit."

   "I'm sorry Zack.  I didn't remember that play." I explained.  The
touchdown play was the same one I had run against Kent State back in week
1. I hadn't practiced it since then.  I added, "Thanks for translating the
play into Wolverine." Our high school team was the Wolverines.

   "I can't do that every time.  It confused the rest of our team.  We
almost got a delay of game penalty instead of a touchdown.  I can't have
you on the field with me if you don't know the plays!"

   "I'll do better Zack."

   "You do that.  I'll have Coach Burton pull you from the lineup if you
don't." Zack growled.  I headed back to my locker away from Zack to lick my
psychological wounds.

   I was used to how fired up to win Zack was.  That was part of why he was
such a good quarterback.  This was more.  He really would get me pulled
from the lineup if I didn't do better.  I knew it wasn't an idle threat.  I
was going to have to spend more time studying my play book if I wanted
playing time.  I'd do what ever it took to keep in Zack's good graces.

   Jay and Amir brought Chip, Bruce, David and Nick in the locker room
after the game while Zack, Trevor and I got cleaned up and dressed for the
evening.  We took our charges outside to meet their parents.  The parents
agreed to the boys accompanying us to dinner and the party afterwards. 
Everyone accepted a midnight curfew for the boys.

   We headed downtown to the State College Diner for diner.  Their macaroni
and cheese was delicious.  Their burgers were immense.  We finished the
meal with grilled stickies all around.  Cinnamon buns baked in caramel then
cut up and grilled in butter - they were positively sinful.

   Both Zack and I were recognized at the diner.  A lot of people
congratulated us on the victory.  Zack signed a few autographs.  I was
asked to sign one too - my first.

   Our group headed back to Zack's apartment.  We helped a little to get
things set up for Zack, Aaron, Evan and Jacob.  Everything was ready by 8
pm.  Chip was in the kitchen hanging out with Jay and Zack.  Trevor, Amir,
and I were sitting in the living room with Bruce, David and Nick.

   We were talking about the party.  Nick asked, "Are there going to be
girls here tonight?"

   "Sure.  We usually have lots of girls at our parties." I explained.

   Trevor added, "The girls here are great looking."

   Nick leaned in and mock whispered, "I heard... maybe... there is a
chance we could uh... you know... maybe sleep with some of them."

   I laughed.  "You've been watching too many football movies.  That would
be a massive NCAA recruiting violation.  Not to mention the ethics of that.
We wouldn't pimp girls here.  No way."

   Nick seemed surprised.  "But Chip said... uh... he was pretty sure he
was going to get laid tonight."

   "Chip's probably a special case.  Trevor, me and my roommate Christian
came to watch the Blue & White game last spring.  Chip tagged along.  Zack
invited us to a party afterwards.  Chip hit it off with one of the girls at
the party.  Chip and the girl did end up together that night.  Chip
probably figures he'll see her here tonight.  I don't know if that is going
to happen for him."

   "Oh" Nick replied, obviously disappointed.

   "Look - nothing like that was ever suggested in all my official visits
last year.  How about you Trevor?" I asked.  Trevor concurred.

   Our conversation turned back to football.  The guys had a lot of
questions about the plays were ran on Ohio State.  Amir, Trevor and I
entertained them talking about our experiences so far playing in Division
I-A.

   Guests started to arrive.  Nick headed off to talk with Pete Klein,
Karol Ziska and Gerry Olizewski, our starting linebacker corps.  Aaron
Morano, Aaron's girlfriend Tania and Tyler Madden kept David Hall
entertained.  Bruce MacCauley hung out with Christian, Bev, Anders and me.

   Zack attracted his usual bevy of ladies.  The girls hung on him and
flirted, competing to get his attention and affections that evening.  Chip
hung out with Zack too.  Chip didn't hero worship Zack anymore like the
summer before last, but he still looked up to and tried to emulate Zack.

   Zack had warned the recruits that he didn't mind if they had a beer but
one was their limit.  No one wanted them or us to get in trouble for
serving alcohol to minors.  They all had to go back to their hotel that
night and would need to be able to pass inspection by their parents.  I
decided to skip my usual beers since I needed to drive the guys back to
their hotel later.

   Tanner Riggs escorted Kelly O'Keefe to the party that evening.  They
seemed to be more than just friends.  I envied Tanner a little.  Kelly was
a great girl.  He had chosen well.

   Chip got his wish that evening.  Chip and a girl I barely knew, Paige
something or other, got extremely friendly.  Chip and Paige disappeared
upstairs after Chip had a quick whispered conversation with Zack.  Chip
apparently had Zack's talent with women as well as his talent with a
football in common.  Bruce, David and Nick seemed more than a little
envious of Chip's luck.  They struck up conversations with the girls at the
party but didn't have Chip's luck.

   I started to worry around 11 pm about a repeat of my problem with Chip
last spring.  He had been in bed upstairs with a girl when it was time for
Trevor, Christian and me to leave the spring party.  We ended up getting
home way late that evening thanks to him.  I relaxed when I saw Chip and
Paige reappear around 11:15.

   Johara Sofay did make it to the party, but much later than usual.  She
gave me the obligatory hug, kiss and a rub.  She was always trying to
arouse me into a repeat performance in bed with her.  She purred into my
ear, "Anytime you want sweetie.  Let me know when you're available."

   She patted the growing bulge in my pants and smiled.  I gave her a kiss
on the cheek.  "It's tempting but I can't.  I promised my girlfriend to
behave myself."

   "She's a lucky girl." Johara said.  She went off to prowl for a bed
partner that evening.  I was sure she'd find someone ready to satisfy her
needs from all these horny football players.

   I rounded up the recruits at twenty minutes before midnight.  I had no
trouble finding Bruce, David and Nick.  Chip was no where to be found. 
David said, "I saw him hanging out with that Middle Eastern chick a few
minutes ago."

   Great!  Johara decided Chip was worth a second time in bed.  Johara may
have taken a lot of guys to bed but she was choosy.  You didn't get a
second chance unless you performed well your first time with her.

   I said, "Let's get you guys back to your hotel.  There isn't any sense
in you getting in trouble because Chip can't follow his curfew." We hurried
back to the hotel in Innovation Park near campus.

   Nick's dad and Chip's dad were hanging out in the lobby talking when we
arrived.  Bruce, David, Nick and his dad headed upstairs to their rooms. 
Chip's dad looked me over.  He didn't look happy.

   "Where's Chip?" Mr.  Brinton asked.

   "I'm not sure.  The last time I saw him he was talking with some guys."
I answered.  That was true - Chip had been talking with Jay and Anders when
I last saw him.  "One of the other recruits said he headed out with
someone. I'm not sure where he is." Also technically the truth, but not the
whole truth.

   Mr.  Brinton obviously was struggling to control his temper.  He said
coldly, "Find my son!  Get him back here Kyle." He let out a deep breath.
"Seniors!  They know it all now." Mr.  Brinton looked me in the eye.  "This
isn't your fault Kyle.  We have been having problems with him keeping to
his curfew every weekend this fall."

   "I'll get Chip back here Mr.  Brinton."

   "You can call me Ells."

   "I'll track him down and get him back here Ells.  I promise."

   I drove back to Zack's apartment.  I sought out Zack immediately.  I
explained, "We've got a problem Zack.  We've lost one of our recruits. 
Chip is missing.  His dad is really pissed."

   "Oh, shit!  I saw him with Johara awhile ago."

   "You're kidding!" I responded.

   "I wonder if they hooked up?" Zack asked.

   "Could be.  I know Chip thought a lot of their time together in the
spring."

   Zack suggested, "You check downstairs, I'll check the bedrooms
upstairs."

   "You got it." I headed for the bedrooms.  I could hear Jacob
Washington's deep baritone groaning "You're so good baby." He had hooked up
with a cute black chick earlier in the evening.  I went over to the other
door.  I could make out the sounds of two kids copulating.  I listened for
about thirty seconds before I figured out who was in Evan's room.  It was
Jay slipping it to Rachel Moore.

   I met Zack back at the kitchen.  Zack said, "No luck.  My bedroom is
empty.  Aaron and Tania are in Aaron's room."

   "Where would they go if they aren't here?" I asked.

   "Maybe we could try her apartment." Zack said.  He called twice, getting
the answering machine each time.  Zack decided to try one more time.  He
finally got an answer on the tenth ring.  Zack talked quietly for a minute.
When he hung up the phone he said, "He's at Johara's place.  Do you want to
go get him or should I?"

   "My cars in the parking lot next door.  I can go." I said.  Zack gave me
directions to Johara's apartment.  I drove over to her building and headed
up to the third floor.  I knocked on the door marked 304.  No one answered.
I knocked again, harder.

   I heard a muffled voice.  It was Chip.  "Hang on!  I'm almost..... 
uunnhhh... there."

   I waited three or four minutes before Johara answered the door.  She was
dressed in a robe and nothing else.  Johara said, "Give Chip a minute. 
He's cleaning up."

   "Tell Chip to hurry up." I glanced at my watch.  It was almost 1 am. 
"Chip is an hour late for his curfew and his dad is pissed." Johara went
back to the bathroom and told Chip what I said.  He was ready to go in
about five minutes.  I kept my temper while we walked down to my car.  Chip
hopped in.  I drove off towards Innovation Park and the hotel where Chip
was staying.

   When we were on the road I asked, "Your dad is so p.o.'d.  You're going
to be lucky to live through the night.  Was it worth it?"

   "I'd have to say yes.  Johara's something special."

   I shook my head.  "I can't believe you.  You end up in bed with Paige.
When you're done with her you disappear and end up fucking Johara too.  I
hope you remembered birth control.  I don't think you want a surprise after
this nonsense tonight."

   "Paige insisted I use a rubber.  Johara said I didn't need anything.  We
were safe."

   "You didn't use a condom with Johara?" I asked.

   "No, she said I didn't need one." Chip explained.

   "Don't you know?  She likes her sex dangerous.  You just fucked her
unprotected.  Are you ready to be a daddy?"

   Chip turned pale.  "Are you serious?"

   "Yes.  She gets off on the danger." I explained.

   "I can't be a father yet.  I just can't!"

   "Relax.  She probably won't get pregnant.  I think she goes to the
clinic on Sundays for the morning after pill."

   "Wow!  That's amazing.  That's only the second time in my life that I
did it without protection."

   "Really.  When was the first time?" I asked.

   "It was a couple years ago with my girlfriend Blair.  We were pretty
dumb about things back then."

   "I guess you'll always remember your first girlfriend." I said.

   "Yeah, I will.  I'm still going with her."

   "What?  You spent the night fucking around and you have a
girlfriend?!?!"

   "It's not as bad as it sounds Kyle.  I know Blair's been cheating on me
too.  She probably slept with somebody tonight."

   "Why are you still going with her if things are like this?" I asked.

   "It's complicated.  Back at school we're `The Couple.' You know -
varsity quarterback and the head cheerleader.  We've dated since ninth
grade.  Everyone expects us to be together."

   I asked, "Why do you care what everyone else thinks?"

   "I don't know." Chip answered.

   "Both of you probably would be happier with someone else.  You could
find someone you actually care about this year.  You could do that or maybe
just play the field.  Date some girls this year.  It isn't a bad idea to
arrive at college unattached." I suggested.

   "Problems between you and Penny?"

   "Long distance relationships suck.  I miss her so much.  She's having a
hard time at Penn.  Her roommate is horrible.  She misses me.  I don't know
how were going to manage this."

   "Maybe the advice you gave me fits you too.  Maybe you shouldn't stay
together."

   "I love her."

   Chip asks, "Is it enough?"

   "I don't know." I answered.

   Talk turned to football, as you would expect given our backgrounds. 
Chip told me about his visit to Tennessee two weeks ago.  He has visits
scheduled for USC and Florida State too.

   Chip asked, "Can you keep a secret Kyle?"

   "I guess what's up?" I said.

   "I've already decided on my college.  I'm going to come here.  I'm just
visiting the other schools to get a chance to be wined and dined.  This
whole recruiting thing is great.  I'm going to watch Florida State play
Florida in two weeks.  I get to watch USC play Notre Dame in three weeks.
The best part is that they are paying for everything."

   I pulled into the parking lot by the front door of Chip's hotel.  Chip's
dad was standing inside the front door.  Chip took a deep breath.  "Wish me
luck.  I may die this evening."

   I said, "Good luck.  I'll see you in the morning." I glanced at my
watch. It was 1:28 am.  I was going to be pretty tired tomorrow.  Zack,
Trevor and I were to meet the recruits, their parents and the coaches for
breakfast at the hotel.  I parked my car in the East Parking Garage and
walked back to my dorm.  I stripped and went to bed nude.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   Christian was gone when my alarm woke me up at 8 o'clock on Sunday
morning.  I showered, dressed and met the coaches at the Lasch Building. 
They drove Zack, Trevor and me to the hotel.

   Chip's dad didn't kill him last night.  Ells Brinton didn't seem to be
in a good mood but he maintained his temper.  The coaches took everyone to
the in-hotel restaurant for breakfast.  It was a good meal.  The coaches
took everyone back to the Lasch Building after that for workouts.

   Anders Voight, Jay Nicholson, Aaron Morano and Tyler Madden joined us on
the practice field.  They were going to help with the workout.  Coach
Burton had the guys run 40 yard sprints first.  I pleased to see David Hall
do it in 4.32 seconds.  That was some real speed.  Bruce MacCauley did a
very respectable 4.39 seconds.  Chip ran to 40 in 4.47 seconds.  That's a
good time for a quarterback.  Nick took the rear with a 4.59 seconds.  What
do you expect from a linebacker?

   Coach Burton paired Zack with Bruce for some passing while Tyler Madden
defended.  Jay passed to me while David Hall defended.  Chip threw to
Anders while Aaron defended.

   David had a good workout with Jay and me.  He made me work to catch
passes.  We took him deep a couple times.  He had enough speed to keep up
with me.  He batted away the first pass.  I out jumped him for the second
deep pass.  The coaches were satisfied after a couple dozen passes.  They
called us over to talk with David.  I was impressed by his work.  I hoped
the coaches would offer him a scholarship.  I could see he would be a good
addition to our defense.  We were going to need good cornerbacks next
season when Aaron was gone.

   Anders and I decided to hang with the recruits at our lounge while each
family met with Coach Burton.  I got a chance to talk with Chip.

   I asked, "How'd things go last night after I left?"

   "Not as bad as I expected.  I'm grounded for two weeks.  I get football
and school - that's it."

   "Was it worth it?" I asked.

   "I screwed two college girls.  Yeah it was worth it." Chip answered.

   I asked, "What are you going to do about your girlfriend?"

   "I may take your advice.  I know Blair and I aren't meant to be together
forever.  We might be better off with other people.  What are you going to
do about Penny?  You can't stay celibate and miserable forever.  How long
since you've slept with anyone?"

   "Eight weeks.  I don't know what I am going to do.  I love Penny so I'll
figure something out." I wished I was as sure about that as I tried to show
Chip.

   Anders and I shot some pool while the families waited their turn with
Coach Burton.  David Hall was ecstatic when he came out of his meeting. 
Coach Burton offered him a scholarship.  David accepted immediately.  I
congratulated him.  I was pleased that he would be joining our team next
season.

   Anders had this to say about Chip.  "That kid is sharp.  He's got as
strong an arm as Zack.  He seems to know his business too.  He'd be a good
addition to our team." I concurred with Anders.

   Coach Burton offered scholarships to Nick Smith, Bruce MacCauley and
Chip.  They had other official visits planned and weren't ready to commit
to Penn State.  I kept my knowledge of Chip's plans to myself.  It would be
cool to have him on the team next season.  I hoped he didn't change his
mind.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------------

   Christian wasn't back from church when I got to our room.  I headed over
to Pollock Commons for brunch.  I went to the Lasch Building to train after
I was done eating.  I met up with Zack Hayes.  Zack and I had a talk about
my performance in Saturday's game.  I promised to work harder at learning
my plays.  Zack warned me that it was essential if I wanted to have more
playing time.

   I did my training and then went for a jog.  I finally went back to my
room around mid-afternoon.  I expected to get chewed out by Christian for
being sloppy again.  I had been in such hurry all weekend I hadn't put away
my dirty clothes or made my bed.

   Christian wasn't in a good mood when I got back.  "Gosh darn it!  Kyle,
you are such a slob.  I had to pick up your dirty clothes.  Why can't you
live like a decent human being?"

   I looked around our room.  My bed was made.  The books and papers I had
left on my desk were put away.  "I'm sorry Christian.  I was pretty busy
between the game and looking after the recruits."

   "I have no intention of living in a pig sty.  Did you know what time it
was when you came in last night?  It was after 1:30!  You woke me up!"

   "Sorry."

   Christian continued, "I suppose you were drunk again last night."

   "No.  I was driving the recruits.  I didn't have anything but soda last
night."

   "If I knew last spring what I know now, I don't think I'd have agreed to
room with you."

   "Me?  I had no idea I would be rooming with a Jesus freak Felix Unger
wanna-be.  Normal guys don't get up at the crack of dawn and go to bed at
ten o'clock.  God damn it!  I wouldn't have chosen to room with you if I
knew you better."

   "Don't take the Lord's name in vain.  You know how I hate that."
Christian protested.

   "Jesus Christ!  You're such a tight ass!" I growled.

   Christian grimaced at me.  His face grew redder.  "HECK!  Heck with
you!" He stormed out of the room.  I didn't mean most of the things I had
said to Christian.  He did get on my nerves at times.

   I checked my e-mails when Christian left.  Andy sent me a synopsis of
our high school team's game against the Trojans on Friday night.  Jake and
Andy led the team to victory again.  They trounced the Trojans 41-17.  Andy
said the Trojan's best cornerback had improved significantly since last
year.  He held Andy to only two touchdowns.  Jake passed the ball to Marcus
Ellis, Jason Harting, Jonathan Landis and Ryan Anderson.  Jake was 31 of 40
for 285 yards and four touchdowns.

   Christian didn't come back before dinner.  I went over to the Training
Table with Jay, Trevor and Damian.  Christian and I finally got to talk
after dinner.  We apologized to each other for the things we said.  We did
our best to patch things up.  Christian promised to be quieter in the
morning.  I promised to clean up after myself better in the future.  Thing
were OK for now.  Long term?  Who knows?  Christian and I weren't very
compatible as roommates.

   Penny called around 7 o'clock.  I enjoyed talking with her.  Penny was
still having problems with her roommate Nicole.  I didn't have any
solutions for her.  All I could do was listen and offer my sympathy.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------

   The Daily Collegian headline read `Kyle Martin leads Lions to Victory.'
The subheading read `Zack Hayes Has Excellent Game.' It was totally unfair.
Zack was the key to the victory not me.  Students congratulated me all day.
I felt like a fraud.  The university didn't let freshmen talk with the
press.  I wished I could talk with the reporters and set the record
straight.

   The paper also announced that the Walter Camp Foundation named me the
offensive player of the week.  My 357 all-purpose yards were just three
yards shy of the NCAA record for a game.  The record was set by a freshman
kick and punt returner from the University of Missouri a few years ago. 
The honor didn't help my mood.  I knew people were going to realize how
badly I screwed up on Saturday.

   Coach Adams didn't give me any new plays to learn for our next game
against Michigan.  He told me the coaches wanted to get Christian and
Tanner more time on the field.  They needed experience for the team's
future.  I was going to return punts and kick-offs, but that was it.

   Coach Adams chewed me out thoroughly Monday evening when we reviewed
Saturday's game video.  He hammered on me how important it was to know your
assignments on every play.  The team couldn't afford those kinds of
mistakes against Michigan on Saturday.

   Michigan moved up to #2 in the polls over the weekend after Florida lost
a close game.  Notre Dame moved to #3 followed by USC.  LSU stayed at #1 in
the polls.  Our victory over Ohio State moved us up to #8.  Ohio State fell
down to fifteenth.  Our game against Michigan was in Ann Arbor.  The TV
networks were hyping our game as the big game of the week.  We would be
playing on Saturday night at 8 pm.

   During practice on Tuesday Anders and I were on the sideline between the
first string's field and the second string's field.  We were goofing around
telling each other jokes.  Jelani Hill, our starting center overheard us.
Next thing I know, Jelani grabbed me by the front of my jersey and lifted
me off the ground.  My feet dangled, barely brushing the ground.

   Jelani is 6'-2" tall and 295 pounds.  He was one pissed off center.  I
weighed a hell of a lot less than the weight Jelani normally bench pressed.

   Jelani screamed, "FUCK YOU MARTIN!  I'm sick of seeing your name in the
papers.  We don't jerk off at practice.  This is serious business!" Spittle
sprayed in my face as he shouted at me.

   Anders intervened.  "Chill man.  We're just trying to keep the mood
relaxed.  Kyle didn't mean anything bad."

   I squeaked, "I'm sorry."

   "He could have lost us that game last week.  He didn't know the fucking
plays!" Jelani growled to Anders.

   Zack intervened.  "Put him down J.T.  He's just a kid who doesn't
understand yet." I learned later that Jelani's middle name was Thomas. 
Jelani dropped me to the ground.

   "I'll study harder.  I'm just trying to learn so I can help the team." I
explained.

   The mantra Zack taught me seemed to mollify Jelani.  Jelani insisted,
"He can't be on the field if he doesn't know his shit!" I moved away to put
some distance between us.

   I received the message loud and clear.  Football was serious business. I
was surprised at Jelani's feelings about me.  I was shocked that Zack still
thought of me as a kid.  I couldn't treat football as just a game.  I
needed to learn as much as possible if I wanted to gain the respect of my
teammates.

   Working with only the third string had one advantage.  Most of the
coaches worked with the first string.  That made sense.  They were going to
get most of the playing time.  The third string got instruction from a
couple coaches.  We were the greenest players who needed the most help.  I
got very little time with any coach when I worked with the second string. I
tried to learn as much as possible when I had time with the third string.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   Christian and I patched things up after our blow up on Sunday.  On the
surface we were friends again.  Underneath was a different story.  We
weren't very compatible as roommates.  I was a night owl and Christian was
a morning person.  Our outlooks on life were so different.  I enjoyed a
good party.  Christian enjoyed Bible study.

   The workload that week was unbelievable.  I had a term paper due in
History.  I spent a lot of time in the library researching it.  I had
another one for Poly Sci.  I had two compositions to write for English. 
Dr. Henderson had a ton of homework for us in EDPSY.  I just didn't have
enough time for everything I was supposed to do for Math 110.  I'd have to
fix that problem next week.  Dr.  Gowravaram announced that the mid term
would be the following Friday.

   Melissa Addington and I went out for coffee after Math class a couple
times.  Melissa was good company.  Kelly, Tanner and I started meeting for
lunch before our History class.  That was fun.  Chelsea and I flirted and
talked before and after EDPSY each day.

   I didn't lack female companionship, just intimacy.  Penny and I traded
e-mails daily.  That didn't really help me.  I was perpetually horny.  I
had gone ten weeks without sex.  I still had another seven to go before I
could see my Penny.  Jerking off in a shower stall or late at night after
Christian was asleep just wasn't doing it for me.  I felt like my poor
balls were going to explode.

   ------------------------------------------------------------

   The trip out to Michigan on Friday followed our established routine. 
Departure late Friday morning, fly out to Detroit, check into the hotel
Friday afternoon, team meeting on Friday night - just like with each game.
The late start for the game did give us a couple privileges: a midnight
curfew and breakfast was delayed until 10 o'clock the next morning.

   I hung out in Jay and Shawn's room with Trevor and Tony when Christian
went to bed at 10 pm.  Christian quietly got up at his usual time (I
assume) on Saturday morning and hung out downstairs in the hotel lobby
while I enjoyed a great night's sleep.  Both of us were trying to make
being roommates work.

   The team was upbeat when we assembled the next morning for breakfast. 
Our victory over Ohio State gave us confidence that we could beat Michigan
too.  It was going to be a tough task.  Michigan had the #1 ranked defense
in passing yardage, scoring and overall yardage.  Ohio State had been rated
almost as high on defense - before Zack Hayes and our offense took them on.

   Coach Burton gave the team the morning off.  We ate lunch at the hotel
and then headed over to `The Big House.' We did a walk through practice and
went back to the visitor's locker room.  The coaches gathered us by
position to review our assignments for the game.  Waiting for an 8 pm start
for the game dragged the day out interminably.  The coaches loaded us back
up on the buses to go out to dinner.  Our hotel catered a nice spread of
food for us.  We headed to back to the stadium.  Crowds of Michigan fans
clogged the sidewalks and driveways leading to the stadium.

   We headed inside to dress.  It was dark when we came outside again for
warm-ups.  The lights at Michigan Stadium brightened the field.  I fielded
punts while Steve Cobb warmed up.  I stretched a little and caught a few
passes from Glenn Korbel.

   I checked out the Michigan players when I was done warming up.  I
spotted Peter Cochran, now the starting quarterback, working with a couple
of his receivers.  I waved to him.  He stared at me for a moment and then
acknowledged me with a nod.  One of the other Michigan players trotted over
when they finished practice.  I recognized he was Colin Davenport, a
cornerback who worked out with me when I visited Michigan last year.  Colin
and I talked for a couple minutes.

   Peter Cochran joined us after a few minutes.  Peter stated, "Martin.  I
knew you'd end up at Penn State."

   "Hello Cochran.  I wanted to be closer to my girlfriend." I really
wanted to tell Peter that his negativity had made his prediction a
self-fulfilling prophecy.  I minded my tongue and stayed to the high road.
We shook hands, wished each other good luck for the evening and headed
inside for our final preparations.

   The Big House was packed with a standing room only crowd.  Their stadium
held 200-300 more people than Beaver Stadium.  It was going to be a loud
night.

   Penn State won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball first.  I
lined up on the 5 yard line.  It was a strong kick-off.  The crowd cheered
on their team as I watched the flight of the ball down to me.  I drifted
back almost to the goal line as I watched the ball into my body.  I fielded
it cleanly, tucked it against my body and ran forward to get behind our
blocking wedge.  Michigan's number 97 led the charge down the field at me.
I watched our blocker engage the Michigan players, looking for an opening.

   A hole opened, but not for me.  Number 97 shoved aside Tony King and
Bill Daugherty and headed straight for me.  I tried to dodge away but the
huge lineman caught me with his long arms.  In a moment he hit me at full
speed.  We went to the ground immediately, his momentum and weight
flattening me flatter than a pancake.  The hit drove all the breath from my
lungs.

   I looked up into his face.  I gasped, "William?"

   He stared at me.  "Martin.  Welcome back to Michigan."

   "Thanks for the welcome William."

   He rolled off of me and stood up.  He helped me to my feet.  "You be
careful.  I'm gonna try and do that all day."

   "I'll try to avoid that." I said.  William had caught me at the 22 yard
line.  It wasn't all that bad a position for our offense to start.

   Coach Ferguson grabbed me as soon as I was off the field.  Coach
Ferguson said, "We need to find some returns that don't get you killed. 
That 97 is going to be trouble."

   "Yeah, I know.  I met William when I did my recruiting visit here last
fall.  I watched him run a 4.7 40."

   "4.7?  We're going to have to run some outside returns.  Do you remember
those plays Martin?"

   "I'm ready Coach.  I can do it." I promised.

   I turned back to the field to see how Zack and offense was fairing
against Michigan's defense.  Not well.  I was in time to see Zack's third
down and seven pass to Bo Cherry get batted away by Colin Davenport.

   Michigan's defensive ranking was deserved.  They took our usually high
powered offense and strangled it.  Our defense mostly stymied their offense
too.  Michigan's scored first when Zack Hayes threw an uncharacteristic
interception that gave them the ball with only 40 yards to go to score a
touchdown.

   I almost broke the kick return for a touchdown after their score.  I
made 56 yards before the kicker pushed me out of bounds.  Zack managed to
push our team far enough down the field for Cooper Barnes to score a field
goal for us.

   Michigan ran a great drive down the field in the second quarter.  They
used 12 plays to push down the field and score another touchdown.  Our
offense couldn't answer the challenge.  The game continued down to the end
of the first half with Michigan holding a 14-3 lead on us.

   Michigan was in the midst of another long drive when something good
finally happened for our team.  I watched as Aaron Morano lined up a little
further away from the receiver than usual.  My breath caught in my throat
when Aaron appeared to trip as he backpedaled with the receiver.

   Peter Cochran, Michigan's quarterback, spotted the slip too.  He
launched a ball towards the receiver.  Aaron quickly recovered and used his
burst of speed to close the gap to the receiver.  Aaron was faking and had
been baiting Peter.  Aaron broke on the ball in front of the receiver,
leaping high to snag the ball away.  Aaron landed, spun around to shake the
tackle and sprinted down the sideline for the end zone.  No one was fast
enough to catch him before Aaron scored for us.  Coop drilled the PAT to
narrow Michigan's lead to 14-10.  That was the score when we went in for
half time.

   The coaches reviewed adjustments they wanted to make our team more
competitive with Michigan.  We were in a fight for our lives with Michigan.
We still felt we had a chance to beat them.

   Michigan did their best to dash our hopes after the kick-off to start
the second half.  They drove 59 yards down field on us.  Antwaan, Aaron,
Pete and company managed to stop Michigan's offense at our 19 yard line. 
They settled for a field goal to extend their lead to 17-10.

   Zack and our offense couldn't keep a drive going.  Neither could
Michigan in turn.  I took the field to receive the punt.

   I lined up on our 30 yard line to receive the punt.  I was to run to the
right on this return behind my blockers.  This was supposed to give me a
safe separation from William Johnson and his dangerous body slam tackles.

   I drifted back a couple yards to get under the ball.  I fielded the ball
and started to the right.  Michigan's cover team was shifting right along
with my blockers.  I watched to the left for number 19, the gunner on my
left.

   I noticed on the last punt that the guy tended to pursue me a little
more than he should.  He got out of the lane he was supposed to cover.  I
noticed him do it again as I ran to the right.

   I decided to take a chance.  I cut back against the pursuit, heading for
the left sideline.  Leslie Jones blocked number 19 out of my way. 
Michigan's aggressive play proved to be their undoing.  I sprinted down the
sideline untouched.  Leslie Jones, Shawn Byrd and Anders Voight protected
my back as I cruised down field for the end zone.

   I carried the ball into the end zone to the shock of the Michigan crowd.
Les, Anders and Shawn surrounded me to celebrate my score.  We trotted back
down the field toward our bench.  Number 19 stopped me.  He said, "Good job
Kyle." I looked closer.  19 was Terrell Ross, one of the players I got to
know when I visited Michigan a year ago.

   "Thanks Terrell.  I see you ended up at Michigan."

   "Yep.  Good luck today." Terrell answered.

   "You too." I replied.  I trotted back to our sideline.  Coop booted the
PAT to bring us to a tie 17-17 with Michigan.  Coach Ferguson grabbed me as
soon as the PAT was successful.  He asked, "I seem to recall asking for a
return to the right.  Why did you cut back Kyle?"

   The coach didn't seem mad.  I answered, "I saw that 19 wasn't covering
his lane properly.  I thought I could beat him.  If I was wrong, the worst
that would happen is I would get 10-15 yards on the return.  I thought it
was worth the risk."

   "That was very perceptive Martin.  Good work!" I beamed at Coach
Ferguson's praise.

   Neither team could move the ball consistently through the rest of the
third and half the fourth quarter.  Michigan got a strong punt return to
give them the ball on their 44 yard line midway through the fourth quarter.
They managed to sustain this drive.  It took 10 plays, but they pushed our
defense back until they scored a touchdown.

   I managed a good kick return for our offense.  They started off from our
39 yard line.  Zack led the team in our two minute offense.  Our offense
finally clicked.  Zack only need five plays to move us down into the red
zone.  Michigan's defense tightened up.  We couldn't get the ball into the
end zone so we settled for a field goal to bring the score to 24-20.

   Michigan demonstrated why they were ranked number two in the nation. 
They took the ball and drove down the field using their large stable of
runners.  Our opportunity for victory depended on stopping them.  We
couldn't.  They ran the clock down to 0:00 without giving us another chance
at the ball.

   All of us knew we had just missed on a shot to upset Michigan.  We also
recognized that we had just played a very good team.  It was a toss up
whether Notre Dame or Michigan was the better team.

   Christian and Tanner each had six plays with the offense that afternoon.
They didn't have spectacular results.  Christian caught two passes for 27
yards.  Tanner caught one for 12 yards.

   The coaches hurried everyone up after the game.  We didn't board our
buses back to our hotel until after midnight.  My friends and teammates
were subdued when we went to bed that night.

   I grabbed the Detroit Free Press on the way to the buses after breakfast
on Sunday.  I found the results of the college games interesting.  LSU had
gone to Birmingham to play Alabama yesterday and was upset.  Michigan and
Notre dame were going to rise to the #1 and #2 spots in the polls.  It
didn't feel quite so bad that our only two losses were against the two best
teams in the nation.  USC was upset by Oregon yesterday too.

   We got back to campus mid-afternoon on Sunday afternoon.  I headed to my
room.  I had a big Math 110 mid-term on Friday.  I desperately needed to
study for the test.

   I checked my e-mail after dinner.  Andy's weekly report on our high
school team arrived.  Our team devastated Tulpohoken on Friday night 49-16.
Andy added three more touchdowns to his resume.  Jake Kring continued to
dominate the Lancaster-Lebanon League.

   I called Penny at 7 pm Sunday evening for our weekly talk.  It was a
good talk until Nicole, Penny's roommate, returned during the call.  Penny
talked a couple more minutes, apologized and hung up.  She was heading to
the library to get away from Nicole.  I wished there was a way I could help
Penny with her roommate problem.

   If I knew how to do that I would fix my own problem too.  Christian and
I were friends but we were not compatible roommates.  We were simply too
different to live together.  It was a strain on both of us trying to
accommodate each other.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   Christian and I made a bet Sunday evening.  Next Friday night my high
school team, the Wolverines, would meet Central, Christian's high school
team.  I proudly reminded Christian that my team was 4-2 against Central in
the past four years.  We agreed that Christian would do my laundry for two
weeks if Central lost.  I would do Christian's laundry if the Wolverines
lost.

   The weekly college polls were released on Monday morning.  The polls
listed Michigan as #1 and Notre Dame as #2.  We only slid down one slot to
#9.  We were the highest ranked two loss team in the polls.  We wouldn't be
moving up next week.  We had a bye week.

   The coaches had everyone practice basic football during the practices.
We didn't have to game plan for any team.  The practices were more relaxed
than usual too.  It was welcome.  The accumulated bruises, scrapes and
pains associated with football had time to heal.

   Coach Adams assigned our offensive graduate assistant coach Ryan
Reynolds to spend extra time each day with me to review all the plays I was
supposed to know from my time playing with the first string offense.  By
the end of the week I knew those plays cold.  It also added five more hours
to my incredible full class, homework, training and practice schedule.

   Melissa Addington and I went out for coffee after Math 110 on Tuesday
morning.  We found out we had a common interest.  We were both fans of the
actress Meredith Fowler Wallingford.  I had loved her since she won an
Oscar for Garrett's Gift six years ago.  The Daily Collegian had a review
of her new movie.  We both thought it sounded like it would be good.

   I studied for the Math 110 mid-term as much as I could.  Wednesday and
Thursday night I wanted to study in our floor lounge.  I wanted to but I
couldn't.  Two guys were still living there, using it as temporary housing.
Pete Klein promised that they would be gone soon and we could have our
lounge back.

   I went downstairs to the dorm lobby to study on Wednesday and Thursday
nights after Christian went to bed.  I stayed up past midnight both nights,
trying to cram as much knowledge into my head as I could for Friday's
mid-term.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   The Math 110 mid-term on Friday morning was grueling.  I expected a
mid-term to cover everything from the first half of the semester.  It
didn't.  The material was all from the last three weeks.  Football
preparations had cut into my study time.  I didn't know the material as
well as I wished I did.  I hoped that my natural test taking ability would
help me perform under pressure the same way it did when I was in high
school.  I didn't feel confident about the result of the test.

   Melissa Addington and I met outside the Sparks Building.  Melissa asked,
"How do you think you did Kyle?"

   "I don't know.  It was a lot harder than I expected.  I thought we would
have some questions from earlier in the course."

   "I know.  I was surprised at the test content.  I don't know how I did
either." Melissa said.

   "I know I'm going to worry about this test the whole weekend."

   "You know what Kyle?  We should go see Meredith Fowler Wallingford's new
movie tonight.  It would help you take your mind off Dr.  Gowaravam's
test."

   I thought for a second.  See a movie with Melissa?  That was innocent
enough.  Penny wouldn't mind.  "You aren't suggesting a date, are you?" I
asked.

   "No.  We can be a couple of friends going to the movies.  It doesn't
have to be a date."

   "OK.  Why don't we grab some pizza and then go to the movie?" I
suggested.  We agreed to meet at Melissa's dorm - 203 Thompson Hall in West
Halls - at 5 pm.

   The rest of the day went well.  History 1 was interesting.  Poly Sci was
good too.  Coach Burton didn't have us practice hard that afternoon.  That
was welcome.  I showered and headed back to my dorm room.  I dressed in
better clothes than usual.

   Christian noticed.  "What's up tonight roomie?  Got a hot date?"
Christian teased.

   "Yeah... right.  Sure.  I got a hot date tonight....  NOT!" I declared.
"I'm going out for pizza and a movie with a friend."

   "Have fun.  I'm taking Bev out to dinner.  We're meeting some friends
from our Bible study group later.  We should have fun."

   "You do that." I said.  I headed out for my evening with Melissa.  It
was nice to have non-football friends to hang out with sometimes.

   Melissa and I met at her dorm in West Halls at 5 o'clock.  We walked
downtown for pizza at Hi-Way Pizza at the corner of College Avenue and
Hiester Street.  It was close to the movie theater on Hiester Street.  I
treated Melissa to dinner, putting it on my credit card.  Oh well, I just
went further into debt to Dad.  We caught the early showing of Mrs. 
Wallingford's movie.

   Meredith Fowler Wallingford was one of my favorite actresses.  She
always chose her roles carefully.  You could count on good entertainment if
you went to one of her movies.  We picked up our snacks and found seats
near the back of the theater.

   The movie was plot driven, not just a series of shootouts and car chases
strung together.  I enjoy well written movies more than most guys.  Melissa
and I settled in for the show.  The movie turned out to be one of
Meredith's best efforts ever, in my opinion.  Part way through the movie
Melissa leaned against me.  It felt nice sharing that kind of intimacy with
someone.  It had been too long.  I put my arm over her shoulder.  She laid
her head against my shoulder.

   There wasn't anything wrong with me holding Melissa.  I kept my arm on
her shoulder.  I wasn't doing anything that suggested I wanted anything
more from her.  I felt sure Penny wouldn't mind me putting my arm around a
friend.  It was totally innocent.

   The movie was over a little after 9 pm.  Melissa suggested, "My sorority
is having a party with Theta Gamma Phi.  Do you want to go?  I hear they
have a DJ and some good music."

   "Sure that sounds like fun." I answered.  Why not?  This was perfectly
innocent.

   Melissa and I spent a couple hours at the Theta Gamma Phi party.  They
had good music playing.  We danced together a lot, pausing occasionally to
enjoy the beer on tap in the back.  Some of the brothers recognized me from
my pictures in the Daily Collegian.  Melissa and I stopped to talk with
them about the football team when I was recognized.  The guys I was talking
with offered us more cups of beer.  I had quite a bit of beer.

   In the beginning we sat out the slow songs.  Later in the evening
Melissa asked, "Let's do this one." when they started a slow song.  I
thought, `What the hell?  This wouldn't bother Penny.' We danced close
together but not too close.  Another slow song followed.  Melissa pressed
herself against me.  Her perfume smelled intoxicating.  We danced a couple
more songs, holding our bodies to each other.

   We took a break for more beer.  The party was winding down.  The DJ
played one slow song after another.  We danced, pressed together.  My cock
was hard as steel from the feel of Melissa squashing her tits against my
chest.

   Melissa was right.  The movie and party did take my mind off the
horrible Math 110 mid-term from the morning.  I felt better.  Melissa
danced with me with her head resting on my shoulder.  I leaned my head
against Melissa's.  This evening felt just right.

   We held each other as the music died at the end of the final song. 
Melissa pulled my head down to kiss me.  She kissed me - not on the cheek
like a friend - on the lips.  Melissa pressed her soft moist lips against
mine for a few seconds.  I felt her tongue slide against my lips and then
press on them.  My hard cock throbbed.

   I relaxed my lips and let Melissa's tongue slide into my mouth.  Our
tongues touched and a jolt went straight down my spine.  My cock throbbed
again.  We kissed for maybe thirty seconds, our tongues twirling together.
Melissa rubbed herself against me.  I knew she felt the big bulge in my
khakis.

   Melissa broke our lip lock and stared into my eyes.  "My roommate is
spending the night with her boyfriend.  Come back to my room Kyle." Melissa
purred.

   I went.

   Chapter 5

   =========

   Melissa and I walked hand in hand across campus from the fraternity to
her dorm room.  Since it was after midnight, she went inside and let me in
the fire door at the side of the building.  We hurried up the flight of
steps to Melissa's room.

   My beer soaked brain was on autopilot now.  The steely little head in my
pants was firmly in control.  Melissa and I didn't waste any time when we
got inside.  Our sweatshirts were shed.  Melissa pulled me to her bed.  We
sat together locked in an embrace on her bed, making out like only teens
can.  Our tongues tangled with each other, exploring each other's mouths.

   Melissa pulled at my shirt tail to free it from my pants.  I helped her
pull it out.  Melissa slipped her hands up along my bare back while we
continued making out.  My passion rose.  I fumbled, trying to unbutton
Melissa's blouse with one hand while I felt up her left breast with the
other hand.

   "Stop." Melissa said quietly.  My heart sank.  Melissa reached down and
unbuttoned her blouse for me.  She pulled it off.  To my delight, she
unhooked her bra and dropped it to the floor too.  "This will be better."

   I kissed her again.  My hands went straight to her bare breasts.  They
were slightly bigger than I had expected.  Melissa moaned and cooed into
our locked together mouths while I stimulated her by caressing her breasts
and teasing her nipples.

   My conscious brain went along for the ride while my little head demanded
Melissa and I keep going.  I started kissing Melissa's neck and upper
chest. She squirmed from the pleasure.  I kissed my way down to her right
breast.  I kissed and licked it.  Melissa held my head with her hands and
pressed me against her breasts.  I kissed and licked her right breast and
then did her left one.

   Melissa obviously enjoyed what I was doing.  She moaned my name. 
Melissa ran her hands through my hair while I showed my appreciation for
her gorgeous tits.  My cock demanded that I try to include it in more of
the action.

   I slid one hand down Melissa's side while I suckled her breast.  I
rubbed her tummy to her giggles.  I slowly slid my hand down over her
panties and rubbed.  I paused, waiting for her reaction.  Melissa moaned,
"Shit!  Don't stop Kyle." I rubbed a few times.

   Melissa grabbed my hand.  "We have too many clothes on Kyle.  Undress."

   I stood up.  Melissa went straight for the zipper of my pants.  I pulled
my shirt off while Melissa unzipped me.  She pulled my pants down to my
ankles but left my boxers up.  I stepped out of my pants.  I tentatively
reached for her zipper, waiting for her reaction.  Melissa nodded to me.  I
unzipped her pants and pulled them off.  I started to climb back on her bed
when Melissa pulled her panties down a little and lifted her backside up so
I could remove them.  I pulled her panties off and dropped them on the
floor beside our other clothes.

   Melissa trimmed her pubic hair.  She was bare except for a small
vertical patch of hair directly above her clitoris.  Her labia were red,
puffy and glistened in the light of her soft yellow desk lamp.  They looked
luscious.

   I sat down on her bed again.  Melissa laid back and pulled me down with
her.  We kissed for a minute or so.  I went back to those lovely soft
mammaries.  I kissed one and teased the nipple of the other.  Melissa
moaned, "Jesus Kyle.  That's so good.  Keep going!"

   I slipped a hand down to her slit.  Melissa was leaking lubrication
profusely.  I gently slipped a finger in her slit while I caressed her
outer lips with my other fingers.  Melissa moaned, "Yeah that's it Kyle."

   I concentrated on stimulating her pussy.  I teased around her clit with
one finger while I used another finger to probe her love hole.  I slipped
my finger into her.  Melissa was fairly tight, but certainly not a virgin.
Melissa moaned, "Ohhh...... Ohhh....  Yeah...."

   I asked, "Have you ever done 69?"

   "69?"

   "I turn around.  You play with my cock and I play with your pussy." I
explained.

   "I can do that." Melissa answered.

   I switched around so my mouth was at her pussy.  I slid my finger in and
out of her hole a few times before applied my tongue to her sex.  I licked
up and down along her outer lips for a minute.

   I could feel Melissa reach into my boxers and extract my cock.  I
shuddered as she touched me there.  It wad been way, WAY too long since
another person had touched me.

   I pulled Melissa's outer lips apart and tongued her inner lips.  She
gently stroked my hard shaft.  My balls pulled tight against my bottom too
quickly.  I ran my tongue up around her clit's hiding place.  Melissa's
mouth engulfed my mushroom shaped head.

   I groaned, "oooooOOOHHhhhhh....." I fought the urge to cum -
unsuccessfully.  "I'MMmmmm cummmming...." I groaned.  My cock blasted a big
spurt as Melissa tried to spit out my cock.  My cock continued spurting as
Melissa stroked it slowly.  My concentration was gone.  I lay back and let
my orgasm overtake me.

   Melissa marveled, "That was a lot of cum Kyle."

   "I haven't had anyone touch me in months.  I couldn't help it."

   Melissa asked, "You can go again, right?"

   "Sure.  Give me a few minutes." I looked up.  A strand of cum was
dripping off Melissa's nose.  More of it was running down her breasts onto
her stomach.  "Let me clean you up then I can give you some fun.  I had a
taste of your honey.  I want some more."

   Melissa handed me a wad of tissues.  I wiped up the cum on her nose.  I
licked up some from her tits.  I wiped the rest up.  I tossed the tissues
towards her waste basket.  I kissed her again.  I explained, "I'll do you
now if you're ready." She returned the kiss.

   I slid down her bed and got between legs.  "Ready?" I teased.  I dove
in. I pulled her outer lips apart and went straight to licking her inner
lips.  Melissa cooed and squirmed as I licked.  Her juices were flowing
freely.  I lapped them up and spread them around her clitoris.  I used one
finger to penetrate her hole.  I gently finger fucked Melissa while I
licked and teased around her clit.

   Melissa's moans and sighs told me I was on the right track.  I slipped a
second finger into her with the first.  Her clit was starting to poke out
of its hiding place.  I curled my fingers and probed deeper into Melissa's
pussy.  I licked around her clit.  Melissa pressed my head against her
pussy.  My fingers found their target - the bundle of glands that formed
her G-spot.  I rubbed it.  Melissa's engorged clit came out.  I teased it a
few seconds and then sucked it into my mouth.

   Melissa bucked her hips up into my face.  She pressed on the back of my
head trying to increase the stimulation.  I knew from her moans and squeals
Melissa was nearly ready to come.  I continued stimulating her.  Melissa's
breathing was ragged.

   Melissa squealed, "Oh GOD Kyle.  Keep....  gasp....  DOING... IT!" Two
more licks right on the tip of her clit and another rub.  Melissa fired off
like a sky rocket.  Her pussy clenched and squeezed my fingers.  She shook
from the intensity of her orgasm.

   I was proud that I could get her off.  Melissa moaned "Oh God....  Yes
Kyle!" I withdrew my fingers from her and watched her.  Melissa's cries and
squeals felt... felt really familiar.

   Melissa demanded, "Fuck me Kyle.  I need you!"

   I realized why her cries were familiar.  I recoiled as I realized
Melissa sounded just like... like Penny in the throes of orgasm.

   PENNY!

   What was I doing here?  My hard cock screamed in my head, `Fuck the
girl! She wants it!' My consciousness regained enough control to allow me
to realize what I was doing.  I was cheating on the girl I professed to
love.  What in the hell was I thinking?

   I backed away and climbed off the bed.  "Kyle?" Melissa asked.

   "I'm....  I'm sorry." I backed away little more.  "I shouldn't be here."
I picked up my pants and started to put them on.

   "Kyle, don't leave now.  I want you to fill me with that nice big cock
of yours." Melissa begged.

   "I'm SO sorry.  I can't do this.  It's wrong." I pleaded.  I zipped up
my pants and put on my shirt.

   "I need a good fucking.  Please finish." Melissa pleaded.

   "I can't.  I just can't." I said quietly.  Melissa stopped begging me to
stay.  She stared at me in shock as I grabbed my shoes and sweatshirt and
retreated from her room.  I finished dressing in the hall.  I beat a hasty
retreat back to my dorm room.

   I stripped and climbed in bed.  My cock was still erect.  It knew it
should have been buried to the hilt in some sweet pussy tonight.  Little
would satisfy it except that.  I beat off, heedless of noise.  I needed to
blow another load before I could get some sleep.  It took a long time for
my hand to stimulate me enough to coax a load of semen from my balls.

   GOD DAMN IT!  Why?  Why did I go back to Melissa's room?  I cursed
myself for the fiftieth time.  I swore I was in love with Penny Edwards. 
How dare I go back to another girl's room?

   I was drunk.  Should I be held responsible for what I did when I wasn't
in my right mind?  I kept going over the hideous conclusion to what had
been a nice evening with a friend.  What would I say to Penny Sunday
evening when she called?  How did I get myself into this dilemma?  I
eventually fell into an uneasy sleep.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------

   Christian was gone when I got up.  My normal hangover remedy was
somewhat effective.  My head wasn't pounding too badly when I returned from
the showers.  I found a note on my desk.  It said: `Put your laundry out
for me this afternoon.  It seems I will be doing it for you for a couple
weeks.  Christian'

   I fired up my laptop.  I found an e-mail from my brother Andy.  It seems
that our Wolverines had blown out Central last night 35-17.  Andy had the
best night of his career.  He had caught three touchdowns and run for
another on a reverse.  Jake played superbly as usual.  I was proud of my
friends and former teammates.  They really paid attention when Ed, Jeremy
and I taught them in the spring.

   I grabbed some breakfast and came back to my room.  I pretended to study
my playbook.  I couldn't concentrate.  My mind kept coming back to last
night when I was with Melissa in her room.  I was wracked with guilt.  How
could I cheat on Penny?

   Christian came back later in the morning to do our laundry.  He wasn't
in a good mood.  "Do you know what time you came in last night?"

   "Not exactly.  When?"

   "Almost 1:30 in the morning.  Your self abuse last night woke me up.  I
suppose you were drunk again." Christian always got upset when he caught me
jerking off.

   I explained, "I had a few drinks, but I wasn't really drunk." I didn't
plan to, but I felt compelled to confess my indiscretion to Christian. 
"It's much worse than that."

   "Worse?"

   "A girl asked me to go back to her room last night." I hung my head.

   "Her room?  To... to fornicate?" Christian was clearly shocked.

   "She wanted to." I admitted.

   "Did you... uh... have sex?"

   I answered, "No.  Well... yes... um, it depends on what you call sex."
Christian blushed.

   "You know... you put your....  your... uh..." Christian stammered.

   "Cock in her pussy?" Christian nodded.  "No.  I didn't.  What I did was
bad enough." I explained.

   Christian asked, "If you didn't lay with her, how bad could things be?"

   "She gave me a blow job.  I ate out her pussy."

   Christian stared at me in disbelief.  "You really did that?  What about
Penny?"

   "I don't know what I'm going to do about Penny." I answered.

   Christian shook his head at me sadly.  He gathered up our laundry and
headed downstairs to the washing machines.

   I tried to rationalize that I hadn't cheated on Penny.  I stopped before
I had sex.  I couldn't convince myself of it.  Could I ever admit what I
had done when I talked with Penny?  I had no idea.

   I tried to lose myself in working out and running.  It helped - a
little. I spent the rest of the weekend thinking about what I had done.  I
couldn't shake the feeling that I had failed.  I failed Penny.  I failed to
live up to my ideals.  I felt worthless.

   I tried to call Melissa later on Saturday to apologize to her.  She
wasn't in.  I pretended to be out on Sunday night when Penny called.  I
couldn't face talking to her.  I'd either try to lie and pretend everything
was fine.  It wasn't.  The other possibility was that I would admit to my
mistake.  I knew I would break Penny's heart that way.  I couldn't bear to
do that.

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   Monday morning Dr.  Gowaravam said we would get our mid-term exams back
on Thursday at our study sessions with our grad students.  I wasn't looking
forward to that.  I didn't expect to get my usual A or B on the test.

   Melissa sat at the opposite end of the big lecture hall for Math 110.  I
finally got to talk to Melissa after class was over.  I said, "I'm sorry
about Friday night.  I tried to call you on Saturday to say I'm sorry."

   "Why did you run off?" Melissa asked.

   "I shouldn't have gone back to your room with you.  I have a girlfriend
at Penn.  I was a little drunk and got carried away.  You're really
gorgeous and... well, you know."

   "You have a girlfriend?!?!?  Don't you think you should have told me
that earlier?" Melissa demanded.

   "I should have.  I'm sorry, I hope you can accept my apology."

   "Apology accepted." Melissa said curtly.  She turned and left me
standing there in the hallway.  I knew that didn't go well.  I hoped I
could still keep Melissa as a friend.  I wasn't too sure that was going to
happen.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   The coaches went over our game plan for Iowa on Saturday.  We were
favored by 7 points over Iowa.  They were not ranked in the national polls.


   I was still in the doghouse on the football team.  I didn't get any new
plays to run with the first string.  Christian and Tanner both worked with
them.  Grad assistant Ryan Reynolds continued working with me to make sure
I knew the plays I was expected to run in the future.  All my practice time
was with the third string.

   I received this e-mail from Penny on Monday night.  It broke my heart.

   -------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: October 18th 20:12:57
From: pedwards312@upenn.edu
To: fastwr87@redroses.net
Subject: Where are you?
I missed talking with you tonight.  I needed you.  This has been the

worst weekend of my life.

   The Goth, aka my roommate Nicole, decided to throw a party with her
friends last night.  Basically she kicked me out of my own room to do it.
She arranged for me to sleep down the hall with one of the other girls on
our floor.  Can you believe the nerve of her?

   God knows what kind of drugs and perverted things she was doing in here
- Maybe even on my bed!  I can't stand to think about it.  I have all the
windows open and it's 48 degrees outside.  I can't get the stench of the
pot out of this room.

   I don't know how much longer I can put up with this witch.  I wish you
were here to help me deal with this mess.

   Kathy is at Notre Dame with Jeremy.  They're happy.  Tammy is with Hal
at Rutgers.  They're happy too.  Why couldn't you have attended Penn with
me?  Our football team is 5-2 just like yours.

   I need some one to hold me and tell me that everything is going to work
out.  I miss you desperately.  I'm at my wit's end.

   I NEED you!  Penny

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   I had no answer for Penny.  Anyway, what possible good could an
unfaithful idiot like me be for Penny?  I grabbed my MP3 player and lay
down to listen to music and think.  I didn't have any solutions by bedtime.

   I finally had a brainstorm on Tuesday afternoon in the middle of
practice.  I was supposed to be fielding a punt when it hit - the idea, not
the ball.  I missed the ball, but that's another story.  Shawn Byrd was
blocking the gunner when I realized - Shawn's friend David Hanson knew
Penny.  I should get David to provide Penny the comfort and sounding board
she needed to help her with her problems.  I knew David enough to know he
was a good guy.  I thought he'd be willing to help her out.  I got David's
e-mail address after practice.  I sent off an e-mail explaining my dilemma
and asking for his help.  I also sent one to my brother Will.  May be they
could help Penny in the way I couldn't.

   I still had my own moral dilemma.  Should I tell Penny about my
unfaithfulness?  Was I capable of fulfilling my duties in a long distance
relationship?  I wasn't sure.  Had I wrecked the best relationship I had
ever had?  Penny broke up with me the first time because she thought I had
kissed another girl.  How would she react if she found out Melissa gave me
a blow job and I ate out her pussy?

   Penny sounded better in Wednesday's e-mail.  She said she had a long
talk with David Hanson.  It helped to have someone to talk with about her
problems.  She also told me that Will and Abby had invited her over for
dinner on Thursday.  I kept my reply e-mails brief.  I didn't know what I
was going to say or do.  Penny deserved a better boyfriend than me.

   I wasn't looking forward to Math class on Thursday.  Bai Huo Wen was
going to return our mid-terms and go over them with us that morning.  I
knew I hadn't gotten my usual A or B on the test.  I raised my hand with
more than a little trepidation when Bai announced "Mittah Mah-tin." He
handed me the test.

   I stared at the grade in disbelief.  I had gotten a 48!  48 percent!  I
had flunked.  I was numb.  I had never flunked a test in my life!  Bai
babbled on in his pigden English the rest of the period, talking about the
problems on the test.  I didn't hear him.  I wandered back to Pollock Dorms
and had lunch.

   How had all these problems happened?  My math problem was heaped on top
of my roommate problem.  I had the football problem - I'd been demoted for
poor performance.  There was the girlfriend problem - Penny needed someone
with her to help her through the rough times.  I couldn't help her from 200
miles away.  Worst was the infidelity problem.  I'd cheated on the girl I
said I loved.

   I felt like the weight of the world was crushing me.  I went over to the
Lasch Building to do my daily workout.  I wished I was back home where Mom
and Dad could help me sort out the mess I'd made of my life.

   I went through the motions at football practice.  I didn't screw up
anything, so I guess you could call it progress.  I went for a long walk
after dinner to try to sort things out.

   Something in me reasserted itself.  It wasn't my confidence - that was
shattered.  It was more like determination.  I was eighteen.  I couldn't
run home to Mom and Dad.  I needed to act like the adult I was supposed to
be.  I needed to tackle my problems.  I tried to prioritize them as I
walked.

   My roommate problem - it wasn't that bad.  Christian and I managed to
stay friends mostly even though we annoyed each other.  This one was low
priority.  It could wait until I figured out the other problems.

   My football problem - I already was dealing with it.  Keep studying the
playbook.  Ryan Reynold's help was paying off for me.  I understood the
plays much better with his tutelage.  I thought my speed and talent would
bring me back the playing time I wanted when the coaches realized I had
learned what I needed to know.

   That brought me to my girlfriend problems.  These seemed to be the worst
of my problems.  Penny needed someone there to help her through her
problems.  I wasn't that guy.  I briefly thought about transferring to
Penn. Then I remembered - I'm flunking at Penn State.  Academically elite
Penn wouldn't want any part of me.

   Anyway what good could a cheater like me do for Penny?  She'd be better
off on her own.  If I wasn't in the picture with her, Penny could find
someone better than a loser like me.  Penny was great looking, smart, and
funny.  She'd have her pick of guys if I wasn't around.  Hell, David Hanson
already wanted to date her.  She'd be much better off if I wasn't her
boyfriend.

   What should I do about my cheating?  I tried to think about how a scout
should act.  Trustworthy - well too late for that one.  Loyal - too late
to. I went through the points of the Scout Law.  I hadn't done well living
up to my ideals.  Most off all I needed to be honest.  I owed that to
Penny. I knew what I needed to do by the time I got back to my dorm room. I
needed to confess what I had done and let Penny find a decent boyfriend who
could take care of her.

   Christian was out when I got back.  Presumably he was with Bev again
tonight.  I sat down at my desk to compose an e-mail to Penny.  I went
through a lot of drafts before I settled on this:

   -------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: October 22nd 20:02:32
To: pedwards312@upenn.edu
From: fastwr87@redroses.net
Subject: Us
I'm glad talking with David Hanson helped.  I wish I was there to help

you too.  I hope you enjoyed dinner with Abby and Will.

   I desperately wish I didn't have to tell you what I'm going to tell you.

   I went to a frat party last Friday night.  I got drunk there.  A girl I
know from class asked me back to her room.  I'll spare you the ugly
details. You can figure them out.

   I am so sorry I cheated on you.  I wish I could take everything back.  I
can't.  I know how you feel about infidelity.

   I understand that you'll hate me for this.  I hate myself for it too.

   You will be better off without me.  You can find a boyfriend that can
take care of you properly.  I guess I was fooling myself to think that we
could stay a couple when we were separated by 200 miles for four years.

   I'll always love you even if we aren't together.  Kyle

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   I stared at the computer screen for awhile.  This was the honorable,
well the least dishonorable thing to do.  It killed me to do it, but I
pressed the send button.  I lay down on my bed, clamped my headphones over
my ears and cranked up my music.  I hoped it would help cover the hurt.  It
didn't.

   I woke up the next morning to the sound of my alarm.  I hadn't set it. I
realized I was still dressed.  Someone, apparently Christian, had taken my
shoes off and covered me with a blanket.  I headed across the hallway to
shower, shave and brush my teeth.

   I managed to get through the classes, but just barely.  Melissa kept her
distance from me, sitting at the opposite end of the room.  I didn't blame
her.  I tried to take good notes.  I needed to fix my problems in Math
class too.  Kelly managed to coax a smile from me in history class.  EDPSY
and Poly Sci went well.

   I found a note taped to my locker when I got to the locker room to get
ready for practice.  It said Coach Paterno wanted to see me at 2:45 on
Monday.  At first that confused me but then I remembered.  Coach Paterno
was monitoring academics for us.  This was going to be about my grades -
certainly.

   I managed to put my distractions and hurt aside for practice.  I thought
I had as a good a practice as I had since I got to Penn State.  At least on
the football field I wasn't a total screw-up.

   Christian and I finally got to talk over dinner.  Christian asked, "Did
you have a bad night last night?"

   "Yeah, thanks for covering me up."

   "No problem.  What was up?"

   "I told Penny what happened last weekend.  I had to be honest with her."

   "Oh.  That must have been hard." Christian said.  "Are you and Penny
through?"

   "Yes." I managed to hold back tears.  "We're through.  Penny wouldn't
stand for unfaithfulness."

   "I'm sorry man.  That's rough."

   "Thanks." I answered.

   I spent the remainder of my evening after the team meeting studying film
of Iowa.  I hoped it would distract me from my misery.  It only helped a
little.  I had this overwhelming feeling that I was a failure - at school,
at football, and as a man.

   I slept a little better on Friday night.  Letting go of Penny hurt.  It
hurt terribly.  I still had to live my life.  My team was depending on me
to return punts and kicks.  I'd better do a good job at that or I'd lose
that job too.

   I threw myself into preparations for the football game when I got up on
Saturday morning.  I was glad it was a noon game.  I didn't have as much
time to think about all my problems.

   When I went out for warm-ups I found Bev, Cindy, Kelly and Jen had their
banner prominently displayed on the railing in the student section of the
stadium.  I stopped by to talk with the girls when I was done.  Their
cheeriness helped me settle myself.

   Iowa won the coin toss and had first possession in the game.  Our
defense yielded one first down before stopping the Hawkeyes.  They punted
the ball towards the sideline, away from my position in the center of the
field.  I managed to get over to catch it, but didn't get a return on it.
Zack and the offense proceeded to drive straight down the field and score a
touchdown.  Iowa contested the whole way, but were overpowered.

   This was the story of the afternoon.  Iowa was always coming from behind
- a half step slow, a yard short.  They battled us the whole 60 minutes but
ended up losing 31-20.  They never gave me a good ball to return on kick
offs or returns.  I ended up with 5 kick off returns for 128 yards.  I had
3 punt returns for another 32 yards.  Tanner Riggs and Christian Hunsecker
each got three plays on the field.  Christian caught two passes for 19
yards.  Tanner caught a long one - 27 yards.

   The victory was workmanlike.  We didn't celebrate a lot.  We headed back
to the locker room to shower and change.

   I hung around after I showered so I could talk with Zack Hayes.  I had
to wait almost half an hour while Zack talked with the press.  Zack's cell
phone rang just as the last reporter was leaving.  He answered it. 
"Hello?"

   Zack's face brightened.  "Will!  It's good to hear from you.  What's
up?"

   "Kyle?  Yeah, I know where he is.  He's right here beside me." Zack
listened for a few minutes.  His smile slowly disappeared as he talked with
my brother.  Zack concluded the conversation with this.  "Yeah, I'll give
Kyle the message.  I'll make sure he calls you back this afternoon.  See
you later Will."

   Zack turned to me and asked, "What the hell were you thinking?  Why
would you break up with Penny?"

   I blurted out, "I cheated on her last weekend." I struggled to control
my emotions.  I was nearly ready to cry.  It hurt so much.  I took a couple
deep breaths.  "I don't know... I don't know if I can handle all of this.
You know football, college, everything..."

   "You and I need to have a talk Kyle.  Call Will when you get back to
your room.  He needs to hear from you.  He's been leaving you messages to
call since last night.  Come over to my apartment when the two of you are
done talking.  We'll go down town for dinner."

   "I don't know... if I want to talk with Will.  I knew he called.  He
just wants to yell at me about cheating on Penny." I whined.

   "Call you brother!  He wants to help.  He said something about owing you
for helping when he broke up with Abby.  I didn't know he ever broke up
with Abby."

   "It was when they were freshmen." I explained.

   "Call Will.  All he wants to do is help you.  Can you do that?" Zack
asked.

   I agreed.  Christian and Bev had gone out so I had my dorm room to
myself.  I finally forced myself to dial Will's number after a couple false
starts.  I knew this wasn't going to be a fun conversation.

   When the phone stopped ringing I heard my brother's voice.  "Hello?"

   "Will, it's Kyle."

   "Jesus!  It's about time you called.  I've been trying to reach you
since last night." Will's voice was rising.  "What in the HELL were you
thinking?" I overheard Abby in the background say "Will, calm down."

   Will's voice dropped back to a more conversational tone.  "What were you
thinking Kyle?  Abby and I spent all of last night trying to console
Penny."

   "I... I cheated on her last weekend.  What else could I do?"

   "You could have called and talked with her.  You remember four years ago
when you helped me work things out with Abby.  Couples who care about each
other talk things out.  I came around and forgave Abby.  Why didn't you
give Penny that chance?"

   "It's better this way Will.  I know Penny won't stand for infidelity. 
Anyway, we're both miserable the way things are.  Penny needs someone to
help her with her problems.  I can't do that from here.  She's better off
without a screw-up like me."

   "What?  Why would you say that about yourself?" Will demanded.

   The whole story spilled out - about how I ended up in bed with Melissa,
how I messed up in the game against Ohio State, how I got demoted on the
team, how Christian and I were relating and how I screwed up the Calculus
mid-term.

   Will asked, "That's it?  What's the big deal?  You act like you forget
about me screwing up in Calculus when I started college.  I thought I had
to break up with Abby when she got drunk and did the same thing as you.  I
remember this kid who wouldn't take no for an answer.  He lined up my
friends to talk some sense into me.  Do you remember?"

   "Yes." I did remember getting Justin Baer and Jon Miller to come over
four years ago to force Will to talk to Abby after their break-up.

   "You need to follow your own advice Kyle.  You need to talk this over
with Penny.  You owe her that."

   I hesitated for a couple seconds before I replied.  "I'd be willing to
talk with her Will.  I doubt she'll agree."

   "Let Abby and me worry about convincing Penny.  I'll let you know when
we get her to agree to talk with you.  What are you going to do about your
other problems?  Can you get a tutor to help you with Calculus?"

   "Maybe.  Coach Paterno is meeting with me on Monday.  I think we're
going to talk about my grades."

   "Good.  I'm sure he can line up help for you.  How about you and
Christian, can the two of you work things out?"

   I answered, "I don't know.  We're a lot different than I thought when we
agreed to room together.  Christian's a morning person.  You know how I am
in the morning." I proceeded to explain about Christian's neatness fetish,
holier than thou attitude and prudishness.

   Will listened as I explained this problem.  Finally he said, "It doesn't
sound like that big a problem.  Can't you two get along?"

   "We probably can manage.  We just get on each other's nerves sometimes."

   "I am going to help Penny get a new roommate.  Can you do that at Penn
State?"

   I considered it for a moment.  "I don't know.  I hadn't thought about
that.  I guess I can find out."

   Will said, "Good, you do that Kyle." After a pause he added, "You have
ideas for fixing your Calculus problem and your roommate problem.  I'll
talk to Penny and see if I can help you with that problem.  The only thing
I can't help you with is football.  Talk to Zack.  I'm sure he'll help you
work things out."

   Will's advice did make sense.  I felt a little better than earlier. 
"OK. I'll talk to Zack.  We're going down town for dinner tonight."

   "Are you?  That's good.  It'll be the perfect time to talk with him.  I
know Zack will help you."

   I said, "Thanks for talking with me Will.  It's helping."

   "Good.  Don't let your problems pile up like this Kyle.  You have plenty
of people around you who can help.  Make use of them.  Learn from this and
from my mistake four years ago."

   "OK, I'll try.  Thanks for talking with me.  Bye Will."

   "Bye Kyle." Will answered.  I hung up the phone.  I got ready for dinner
quickly.  The phone call with Will had taken longer than I had expected.  I
was supposed to meet Zack soon.  I hurried across the commons and up the
street to Zack's apartment.

   Zack and I headed downtown immediately.  Neither of us was interested in
a big meal.  We settled on the Penn State Sub Shop on Beaver Avenue.  Our
game had been a sell out so the streets were crowded with Penn State fans
finding dinner the same way we were.  Zack was recognized a few times as we
walked to the restaurant.  Every fan complimented him on his good game.  No
one recognized me that evening.

   We picked up our subs and headed for a quiet table in the back.  Zack
said as we started to eat, "So you and Penny broke up?"

   "Yeah," I acknowledged.

   "The two of you did better at staying a couple than I was ever able to
do with any of my girlfriends.  You can't expect every teenage romance to
be like your brother and his wife.  They aren't normal."

   "I know." I acknowledged.

   "How are things going otherwise?" Zack asked.

   I proceeded to tell my tale of woe - trouble rooming with Christian,
flunking the mid-term in Math 110...

   Zack asked, "Math 110?  Man, I hated that course."

   "You had it?"

   "Of course.  I'm studying to be a teacher too, albeit a phys ed teacher
through the College of Health and Human Development instead of the College
of Education like you.  We all have to have six credits of
`quantification.' I took the same math courses in high school as you.  Math
110 was what was next for me when I started college.  I remember I had this
horrible Chinese guy who barely spoke English for my study sessions.  He
was..."

   "Bai Huo Wen?" I asked.

   "Bai?  Oh God!  Yeah, that was his name."

   "I have Bai too.  How did you get through the course?  I can't
understand a word he says."

   "Get yourself over to the academic center at the Lasch Building.  They
can get you a tutor.  They saved my butt in that course." Zack directed. 
"What else is troubling you?"

   "Umm....  I guess the other thing is getting demoted on the football
team." I answered.

   "Demoted?  What are you talking about?" Zack asked.

   "You know.  I was getting a few plays with the first string every week
earlier in the season.  I got a dozen plays with you against Ohio State.  I
haven't played a single down with you since I screwed up on those two plays
that game.  I guess that's why I was demoted."

   "You weren't demoted Kyle.  We try to work all the freshmen onto the
field so we can get a look at them.  You're sitting now because we need to
get Riggs and Hunsecker on the field so we can see what they can do.  We
know what we have with you."

   "What do you have with me?"

   "We have an explosive receiver.  Right now we don't know if you're going
to explode and hurt our opponents or if you are going to blow up in our
face and hurt us."

   I asked, "How do you see Tanner and Christian?"

   "They don't have your speed.  They're going to have to be possession
receivers.  They can't blow past people on the field the way you can.  They
have a lot of work to do too.  They're screwing up on the field as much as
you did.  They don't know the offense very well either."

   "What do I need to do to get more playing time?" I asked.

   "You need to learn the plays."

   "I'm working on that." I said.

   "I know.  Ryan Reynolds says you are doing well with the plays.  He
thinks you're almost safe to put back on the field."

   "Do you think it will be soon?"

   "It's not my call.  I'd guess you'll see more playing time in the next
game or two." Zack said.

   Our conversation turned back to our high school team.  We reminisced
about our season together in high school.  Zack asked, "What did you think
about the score from the Wolverines' game last night?"

   "I've been a little preoccupied the last couple days.  How did they do?"

   "You didn't know?  They whipped Norlebco for the most lopsided win our
high school ever had.  They won 63-0!" Zack's smile disappeared for a
second.  "I wish I could say it was the most lopsided score ever but it
isn't." Zack recovered his smile.  "That QB of ours is really shining. 
What's his name?"

   "Jake Kring.  You'll see him in a few weeks when he visits." I said.

   "That's right.  He's visiting the weekend we play Purdue." Zack said. 
"You know he is putting up better stats than Ed Fritz did?  I get the same
feeling about this team as I did when you guys won the state championship
two years ago.  I think this team has that kind of potential."

   "Really?  I'd love to see that." I was curious about how Zack got
information so quickly about our high school team.  I knew he didn't know
anyone on the team except my brother Andy.  "How'd you hear about the
game?"

   "Second hand.  I heard about it through Justin Baer."

   "I didn't know you knew Justin."

   "He played with my brother Sam.  I remember him from football practices
in the summer from before eighth grade.  He was our big weapon at tailback
that season.  He had a hell of a year - his best season and his last one.
It's hard to believe he's coaching football already."

   "Justin's good at that too.  He's the one who taught me to follow my
blocks.  His coaching helped me get a couple of my touchdowns this season."
I explained.  "I never heard about us losing 65-0 to Central.  When did
that happen?"

   "Ten years ago.  I watched the game with my brother, Justin and his
friends.  They were playing JV that year.  I was in sixth grade.  Central
embarrassed us.  That game ended up being pivotal to our team's
resurrection.  Sam, Justin and their friends declared that wasn't going to
happen anymore.  They promised each other that things would change when
they made varsity.  Coach Blanchette got fired after the game."

   "Mr.  Blanchette used to coach football?" I knew him as an accounting
teacher at our high school.

   "Yep.  The school hired Coach Caffrey the next summer.  It was the
beginning of our football turn around.  Sam, Justin, Bill Groff and their
friends made our team respectable the next season.  It took a few more
years but we made ourselves one of the dominant teams in the league
eventually.  You know about that part.  You were there."

   I replied, "That's cool.  I didn't know all of that about our high
school."

   Two fans spotted us sitting in the back.  They called out, "Good game
Zack.  Keep it up." Zack waved.  The other guy called out "Martin, how
about another return for a touchdown.  We could use it."

   I waved to him and said, "I'll do my best." The fans moved on.  It was
the third time we were interrupted since we got to the sub shop.

   Zack continued, "It matters to us today too.  Would you or I be here if
Coach Blanchette had continued with the team?  Would we have gotten a free
ride to college?"

   "No.  I know I wouldn't have played football without you and Coach
Caffrey recruiting me."

   Zack said, "I'd have played football.  I might have managed to win a
game or two but not much more.  No college would have recruited me.  That
loss changed our futures.  It shows what hard work and determination can do
for you."

   "I suppose there's a lesson in there for me."

   "Exactly.  You lost your girl.  Mourn your loss tonight.  Move on
tomorrow.  Hard work and dedication can take you far.  You can turn around
these problems and use this opportunity you've been given." Zack
recommended.

   "I guess." I acknowledged.  That talk helped some but I still knew I
would miss Penny terribly.

   "Come on over to my place and help me set up for tonight's party." Zack
suggested.

   I did just that.  I knew Zack was doing the same thing for me that we
did in scouts for the homesick first year scouts.  Keep them busy so they
didn't dwell on home.  That was OK.  It worked mostly.

   I'd already had a couple beers by the time the first guests arrived
around 8 pm.  The beers helped numb my pain a little.  I hung out with Jay,
Anders and Shawn O'Conner for awhile until they struck out for female
companionship for the evening.

   Someone made some margaritas.  I decided to give them a try.  They
tasted pretty good.  I was on my second one when I ran into Johara Safay.
Johara gave me her usual tight hug and kiss full on the lips.  She purred,
"Are you and that girlfriend of yours still together?" She rubbed herself
on my crotch to make her intentions blatantly obvious.  My cock sprang
erect instantly.

   "Not anymore.  We broke up on Thursday." I responded.

   "Ooooohhh..." Johara purred.  "Would you like to go back to my
apartment? We could have a lot of fun tonight."

   "Some Saturday night, but not tonight.  It's too soon for me."

   Johara pointedly rubbed her hand up and down on the lump in my pants.  I
nearly creamed myself.  "Keep me in mind.  I'd really like to get together
with you again.  I promise you won't forget a night with me." She gave me
another kiss full on the lips.  She drilled her tongue into my mouth.  Her
tongue tangled with mine for a few seconds before it withdrew.

   "Anytime you want honey.  You just let me know." Johara said before she
pulled away from me.

   "I'll keep it in mind." I said.  I headed back to the kitchen for
another drink.  I most definitely didn't need to further complicate Will's
efforts to get Penny and me back together.  My cock was going to stay in my
pants for little while longer.  I found a seat on Zack's couch and watched
my friends and teammates enjoy their evening.

   Jay hit on Rachel again.  They disappeared a half hour later.  My friend
was having a lot of success with women lately.  Anders hooked up with a
girl I didn't know.  They ended up using Evan's bedroom for an hour.  Even
Shawn, who normally wasn't forward with women, found a girl that evening.
The two of them made out for half an hour before they disappeared to find
more privacy.

   I envied them.  The hard lump in my pants desperately wanted to be
buried to the hilt in some nice warm pussy.  I drank some more to make that
treacherous organ that caused all this trouble behave itself.  I brooded
and watched the party as the evening went on.  I nodded off on Zack's couch
later in the evening.

   ----------------------------------------------------------

   I woke up but kept my eyes closed.  The room seemed to be spinning. 
Eventually I cracked an eye open.  The light in the room was too bright.  I
blinked a couple times and then shut me eyes again to keep the light out. I
was lying down somewhere.  My head was throbbing.  I rolled over on my
side.

   Some one said, "You're awake."

   My confused brain tried to sort out the owner of the voice.  "Kyle?  Are
you all right?" I finally realized it was Christian.

   "Why're ya at Zack's.....  uh party?" I groaned.

   A loud grating electronic sound pierced my ears before Christian could
answer.  It sounded like someone was scraping their fingernails across a
chalk board.  The racket stopped when Christian yelled, "Hello?" Apparently
it was Christian's cell phone.

   "Yes, he's starting to wake up." Christian yelled.  His voice sounded
like he was hitting 90 decibels.

   After a pause Christian said, "Yes.  He threw up another time after you
brought him back."

   "No.  It's all right.  I don't mind."

   "Yes.  I'll look after him."

   "See you later Zack."

   Christian mercifully stopped shouting.  He asked, "How do you feel
Kyle?"

   "Awful." was my one word answer.

   Christian said in a quieter tone, "Zack and Aaron brought you home from
their party last night.  You drank so much you passed out on their couch."

   "Oh." I cracked one eye open again.  I let it adjust to the bright
lights in our room.  I slowly opened my other eye when I was used to the
light.  I glanced over at my clock on the bolster beside my bed.  It was
11:30.  I asked, "Shouldn't you be at church now Christian?"

   "I couldn't leave you here alone.  I was afraid you'd throw up again and
choke.  I couldn't take a chance on that."

   "Did I throw up last night?"

   "Yes, once in Zack's car when they brought you back from his apartment.
The second time was later in the night after we tried to get you to bed."
Christian explained.

   "I'm sorry I've been so much trouble."

   "You scared the heck out of us last night Kyle.  Drinking isn't going to
help your problem with Penny."

   "I know you're right.  I don't know why I did it last night." I said.

   "Do you need anything Kyle?"

   "A glass of water and some aspirin would help I think." I said. 
Christian returned in a minute.  I tried to sit up.  My head spun.  I
thought I would throw up again.  I lay my head down and the feeling passed.
I slowly eased myself up until I was sitting.  I took the aspirin from
Christian and washed them down with water.

   Christian asked, "Are you going to stay up Kyle?"

   "I think so.  A hot shower usually helps me when I have a little too
much to drink.  I'm going to try that."

   "Good for you.  I'm going to meet Bev after church.  We're going to
lunch together.  Do you want to join us?"

   "Lunch?" My stomach churned.  "No, I don't think so.  I don't know if
I'd hold it down."

   Christian said, "Zack said you should have something.  Maybe some
crackers and ginger ale.  It's supposed to help settle an upset stomach."

   "I don't know."

   "I'll bring it back from lunch.  You can have it if you feel up to it."

   "Thanks Christian." I replied.  "Thanks for everything last night."
Christian headed out.  I sat on my bed for a few minutes while I got
accustomed to being vertical again.  I carefully made my way to the
bathroom and took a long hot shower.  I propped myself up on my bed after
my shower and read my book on the Battle of Chickamauga.  I wanted to let
my poor body recover from the previous night's abuse.

   Christian and Bev stopped by after they had lunch.  Christian brought
some packs of saltines and a can of ginger ale back me.  They headed out
for the afternoon.  I drank the ginger ale and skipped the crackers.  I
felt a little better.  The dining hall was still open, so I went for a
little lunch.

   I checked my e-mails after lunch.  I hoped I would get something from
Will telling me Penny was willing to talk to me.  I still hoped that we
could try to patch things up.  All I found was an e-mail from Andy
describing the team's victory over Norlebco on Friday night.  I spent the
rest of the afternoon resting in my room.

   Zack Hayes sought me out when I went to the Training Table for dinner.
He joined me at the table I was sharing with Damian, Shawn Byrd, and
Anders. Zack got settled before he asked, "How are you feeling Kyle?"

   "Not too bad.  I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused when I got dru....

   "SSSHHHH!!!!  You and I are going to have a talk after dinner.  This
isn't the place for this conversation." Zack nodded towards the head table
where the coaches were eating.  Zack didn't have much to say as we ate our
meal.

   Zack led me on a walk after dinner.  We headed north on Bigler Road,
putting some distance between us and any coaches who might be heading for
Lasch after dinner.

   When we reached a comfortable distance, Zack said, "We need to talk
about last night Kyle."

   "I know.  I'm sorry I put you to so much trouble last night.  I guess
all the shit in my life caught up with me.  Do you want me to clean the
vomit out of your car?  Christian tells me I got sick on the way home."

   "I've done that already." Zack said.  We stopped and he stared me in the
eye.  "You need to cool it with the drinking Kyle.  Last night was over the
top."

   "I know Zack.  It won't happen again." I promised.

   "It can't.  Do you have any idea of the stink that would end up in the
newspapers if campus security had found Aaron and me carrying you from our
apartment to my car or from my car to your dorm?"

   "It would be bad."

   "That's an understatement.  You put everyone at my party in jeopardy
last night.  I know it sucks to lose your girlfriend.  It isn't easy to
adjust to college.  You have to do better.  None of us on the team want to
risk our scholarships for somebody who acted like you did."

   "I'm sorry.  I'll do better."

   "You have to Kyle.  God knows I enjoy a drink.  You know that.  You have
to exercise some moderation.  Enjoy a couple beers.  Hook up with one of
the girls at the party.  Have your fun in bed.  It won't get you in
trouble."

   "I don't know Zack.  Maybe." I said hesitantly.

   "Maybe?  Shit, it's got to be months since you got laid.  The whole
world will look a lot better after you bust a nut in some hot beaver."

   "It has been a long time."

   "Do it Kyle.  You'll feel a lot better after you slip some sweet thing
your sausage.  We need to ready for our next game.  Wisconsin will be
tough. We need you relaxed and ready to go."

   "I'll see about it Zack." I promised.

   Zack suggested, "Good.  Take it easy on the booze next time too."

   "You got it."

   We headed back to Pollock Halls.  I thanked Zack for all his help over
the weekend before we separated to go back to our rooms.

   Christian was studying in our room when I got back.  I noticed Christian
looked like hell - sleepy, disheveled and unshaved.  I realized he probably
hadn't gotten any sleep last night thanks to me.  When he paused from his
reading, I asked, "Thanks for your help last night and this morning.  I
probably didn't deserve it.  I know you disapprove of my drinking and my
cheating with another girl.  Why did you stay around to help me?  I know
you would have preferred to go to church this morning with Bev."

   "What would that say about my religion if I had left you here hurting
the way you were?  You needed help.  I had to stay." Christian answered.

   "I thank you for your help.  I'll try to make sure I don't need that
much help again." I said.  Would I have done the same thing if I had been
in Christian's position?  I wasn't sure.  Christian was annoying at times
but he was a true friend - somebody I could count on when things went bad.

   I worked on my Math 110 homework until bed time.  I found an e-mail from
Will before I went to bed.  It said Penny didn't want to hear from me. 
Will said he and Abby would keep trying but I shouldn't get my hopes up.  I
knew I was truly available again.  Did I really want to get into the whole
hook-up and jump in bed with a near stranger thing anymore?  It had been
years since I had done that.  What kind of person was I?

   Chapter 6

   =========

   I made a point of bumping into Melissa Addington on Monday after Math
110 was over.  I greeted her with a big grin and cheery hello.

   "Umm... hi Kyle." Melissa answered warily.

   "I wanted to apologize again for the way I behaved two weekends ago. 
I'm really sorry."

   "Apology accepted."

   "You're really pretty.  Would it be possible to start over?  You know -
forget about my stupidity.  We could do dinner and a movie.  What do you
think?"

   "You said you had a girlfriend.  I don't play second fiddle to anyone."

   "I told the truth to my ex-girlfriend.  I wouldn't pull away again if
you wanted us to get together.  I've enjoyed the time we have spent
together in the last two months.  I'd enjoy the chance to get to know you
better."

   "Sorry.  I don't think so Kyle.  You've established that you're the kind
of guy that would cheat on his girlfriend.  I don't think I want to be your
girlfriend."

   "Oh." I sighed.  "I can understand that Melissa.  I hope we can still be
friends.  I enjoy talking with you."

   "We'll see Kyle." Melissa answered.  She headed off for her next class.
I hoped she would be willing to talk with me.  She was a nice girl and I
did enjoy her company.

   I headed for the Lasch Building after my last class in the afternoon,
EDPSY.  Coach Paterno kept an office in the academic counseling center.  I
waited outside his office for my 2:45 pm appointment.

   Coach Paterno invited me into his office a couple minutes early.  He had
me sit at the chair in front of his desk.  Coach Paterno asked, "How are
you adjusting to college life?"

   "I guess I'm managing.  The classes are a lot harder than I expected."

   "Yes they can be.  Do you know why I called you in Kyle?" Coach Paterno
asked.

   "Yes.  I assume it is about my Math 110 mid-term."

   "Exactly.  You scored a 48%.  That's not very good.  What went wrong?"

   "I have trouble in the weekly study session.  The grad student who is
supposed to help us barely speaks English.  I can't understand what he is
talking about.  That's part of the problem.  I probably should spend more
time on the homework too.  I have so little free time that I am having
trouble doing all the homework after each class."

   "Boy, if I had a dollar for every football player who came in and told
me that story.  I can line up a tutor for you Kyle to help you with the
Math 110.  Do you think that would help?"

   "I think it would if the tutor speaks English."

   "I can arrange that.  Tell me more about how you spend your time.  You
tell me you don't have enough time to get everything done."

   I proceeded to tell Coach Paterno how I have been spending my days. 
Coach Paterno and I spent a half hour discussing time management,
prioritizing, and personal organization.  Coach Paterno had excellent
suggestions to help me use my available time for efficiently.

   Coach Paterno summed up this way.  "When I started coaching freshmen
weren't allowed to play.  The rules changed years ago.  I'm just an old
dinosaur now I guess.  I still think the rule made a lot of sense.  You
come to college, away from home for the first time, have to learn how to
handle college level academics, learn the team's plays, and you're
pressured to learn it fast so you can get on the field.  That's a lot to
expect of an 18 year old kid.  It's understandable that you have trouble.
I'll do whatever I can to help you succeed Kyle."

   I asked, "Thanks Coach.  Do you really think it's possible for me to
pass my calculus class?  A 48 is a pretty bad grade."

   Coach Paterno answered, "You're not in as bad a shape as you think.  Mr.
Bai says you did well on the two quizzes earlier in the semester.  Together
they have equal weight to the mid-term." Coach Paterno glanced down at his
notes.  "You scored an 83 on the first one and an 87 on the second one. 
Average that with your 48 and your current grade in the course is a 65. 
Mr. Bai says you can earn a `C' in the course with an 80 on the final exam.
Can you do that?"

   "I'd say yes normally.  I'm not sure if I can learn enough in the next
seven weeks to get my grade up that high."

   "Work with the tutor.  I know you're intelligent.  Put some of the
dedication you put into football into your class work.  You're here for an
education first.  Football is important but you have to get your education.
You can't play football if your grades aren't satisfactory."

   "Yes sir."

   "I'll have one of the tutors get in touch with you.  We will get you
back on track." Coach Paterno said.

   "Thanks for taking time to meet with me.  I'll give your suggestions a
try."

   I headed to the locker room to get ready for practice.  I was a little
early so I studied my playbook until it was time for practice to start.  I
spent the first half of practice with the third string like I had done in
the past few weeks.

   Part way through practice Coach Schroeder called me to see him.  I
trotted over to the sideline and waited.  Coach Schroeder was talking with
Coach Goodwin, our running backs coach.  Coach Schroeder looked at me and
asked, "Martin, Hayes tells me you have some experience in high school with
the reverse play.  Is that correct?"

   "Yes sir.  My team used that play quite a bit."

   "Tell me about how your team ran this play." Coach asked.

   I related how we used the reverse, the reverse option where I would
throw the ball downfield and the fake reverse to keep our opponents
guessing.  All the plays started in the same formation.  The defense had to
watch closely to figure out which of the three plays we were running.  This
set of plays had kept our opponents off balance and gained us quite a few
touchdowns.

   Coach Schroeder smiled when I finished describing the plays.  "Very
interesting.  The play you described sounds similar to the reverse we run a
couple times a game.  I'd like you to go in with the first team and try out
the reverse.  Hayes will fill you in on the details."

   I trotted onto the field and joined Zack and the first team offensive
huddle.  Zack smiled, "Welcome Kyle.  What's the play?" I described it. 
"Cool!  I see they listened to me."

   "Thanks for speaking up for me Zack.  How does this play work here?  I
didn't know I needed to study it."

   "You won't have any trouble with it.  Line up on the end where Bo
normally is.  He'll be in the slot.  Run it the same as we did back in high
school.  Shawn will hand the ball off to you.  I'll block out the outside
linebacker for you.  The blocking is a little different than the Wolverines
on the backside.  Run like hell and you won't need to worry about that
part."

   "OK."

   We ran the play.  The defense hadn't expected it.  Vic Samovitz caught
me about fifteen yards downfield when he managed to shed Derek Whitaker's
block.  Coach Schroeder had us run it two more times.  I gained 10-12 yards
on the other attempts.  It wasn't as good a result as I got in high school.
That made sense.  Athletes in college were the cream of the high school
players.  They're quicker, stronger and smarter.

   Coach Schroeder didn't pull me from the first team when we were done
running the reverse.  I stayed in for half a dozen pass plays.  Fortunately
I knew all the plays we ran.  Hopefully Zack Hayes was right that I would
get another chance to show our coaches what I could do on the field as a
wide receiver.

   We were preparing for a home game on Saturday against Wisconsin.  They
along with Michigan and Ohio State were our toughest conference opponents.
Ohio State had two losses (to us and Michigan).  They were out of the
running for anything important in the Big Ten.  Michigan was undefeated and
ranked #2 in the nation.  They were going to win the conference
championship.  Wisconsin was ranked #7 and was 7-1.  They lost to Michigan
like us.  We were 6-2 and ranked #11.  If we beat them we would have a
better conference record and stood a good chance of going to a major bowl.
We could end up at the Rose Bowl if Michigan maintained their #2 ranking
and went to the BCS Championship Game.

   I received a call from my new tutor later on Monday evening.  We set up
a first meeting for Wednesday afternoon after I was finished with classes.
My tutor's name was Kevin Lee.  He was a junior majoring in mathematics.

   I got to thinking about my romantic needs after I went to bed.  I
thought about the offer Johara made to get together for some fun in bed.  I
remembered the special night we had together two years ago.  I ended up
with a wicked boner that wouldn't go down.  I jacked off for relief.  I
made too much noise and woke Christian again.  He bitched about my "self
abuse".  I was still horny after I came and pissed off at Christian too.  I
needed to get real relief over the weekend.

   I headed downtown to the drugstore after Math class on Wednesday
morning. I wanted to be properly protected if I got lucky on Saturday
night. I hadn't used condoms in well over two years.  Nothing was going to
get in the way of burying my cock in some hot pussy on Saturday night if I
could manage it.

   Christian was studying in our room when I got back.  I didn't make any
show of hiding my condoms when I put them in my closet.  I know Christian
saw them.  He frowned but kept his disapproval to himself.  I didn't give a
damn what he thought about my sexual habits.

   Jeremy North wrote me an e-mail on Monday night to ask what had happened
between me and Penny.  He heard from his girlfriend Kathy.  I replied
trying to explain what had happened.  Both Hal Long and Ed Fritz wrote on
Tuesday to express their concern about what had happened.

   I met Kevin Lee at the study area in the Lasch Building after I finished
EDPSY on Wednesday afternoon.  He spent about half an hour discussing the
concepts we were working on in Math.  He decided we would spend most of our
study time together working on problems.  Kevin was patient with me when I
had difficulty with a problem.  He seemed like he would be helpful.  I
understood his explanations.

   The coaches continued to put me in for about half a dozen plays each
practice.  We practiced the reverse play every day.  The video showed
Wisconsin's linebackers and defensive backs pursued hard to the ball on
each play.  We wanted some misdirection plays to slow them down and make
them think a little before they pursued the ball.

   I tried to break the chill with Melissa Addington after Math class on
Friday.  I invited her to get some coffee with me.  She was polite but not
interested.  I wanted to ask Kelly O'Keefe from History class to the party
on Saturday night but Tanner Riggs beat me to the punch.  She was his date
on Saturday night.

   I did my work out after dinner and spent the rest of the evening
studying my playbook.  I was going to be prepared if the coaches sent me in
as a receiver this time.  I hung out at the Lasch Building until 11 pm. 
Christian was asleep when I got back to our room.

   Our game was moved back to 3:30 on Saturday to suit the TV schedule.  I
spent the morning and the early afternoon preparing myself.  I relaxed and
listened to my MP3 player as game time approached.  I had been through a
lot in the last couple weeks.  Things weren't quite as grim as I had
thought a week ago.  The team still valued me.  I expected to get on the
field as a wide receiver today.  They practiced a special play that
featured me.

   Kevin Lee was helping me get through Calculus.  There was a glimmer of
hope that I could pull off a passing grade after all.  Kevin's emphasis on
problem solving felt right for me.  The discipline of meeting him in the
afternoon after every class was helping.  I tried to put into practice the
things Coach Paterno told me about managing my time better too.

   I felt confident when I took the field for warm-ups.  I stopped to talk
to Bev, Cindy, Kelly and Jen when I finished warm-ups.  I stopped by the
other group that had a Kyle's Krazies sign hanging from the railing.  I
finally found out their names.  They were Terry, Mike and Jim.  Mike
requested, "Try and rip off a long one for us today Kyle.  I think we're
gonna need it."

   "I'll see what I can do." I answered.

   I heard the guys yell "You do that." "Go get'em Kyle." "Score for us."
as I headed for the locker room.  It was nice to have fans on my side.

   Coach Burton gave a rousing speech to motivate us.  He reminded us that
the pundits haven't given our team much respect all year.  We were
underdogs here at home.  Yes, we had lost two games, but they were against
the top two teams in the rankings.  We did lose, but we were close at the
end of each game.  Coach Burton wanted us to go out and show the rest of
our conference that we couldn't be overlooked.

   We took the field fired up to defend our honor and home field.  The
stadium was a sea of white.  Today's game was a "white out".  Every fan in
the stadium wore white to show their support for our team.

   Our team won the coin toss.  I lined up in the western end zone and
waited for the kick.  Wisconsin's kicker didn't get a good hit on the ball.
I drifted forward a few yards, caught the ball and advanced.  I watched the
wedge of blockers engage.  Josh Bruno and Trevor Conwell split their men
apart.  I rocketed through the hole and scanned down the field for the next
potential tackler.  A linebacker was closing from my right.  I cut left and
headed for the sideline.

   The linebacker lunged for me and missed as I scampered away. 
Wisconsin's kicker closed on me.  He was bigger than most kickers, almost
my size.  I tried to stiff arm him to get past him.  He clung to me arm.  I
needed a couple steps to shake him loose.  It was just enough time for the
pursuit to catch me.  They shoved me out of bounds.

   I tossed the ball to the referee.  He marked it at Wisconsin's 41 yard
line.  Zack patted me on the butt as he headed on the field with our
offense.  "Good work Kyle."

   "Go score a touchdown." I answered.  I sought out and thanked Trevor and
Josh for their blocks.

   Zack led the team down the field with a quick strike offense.  Five
plays later Zack found Bo alone in the corner of the end zone for our first
touchdown.  The drive confirmed our observations when we watched the video
earlier in the week.  Our offense was faster than their defense.  We could
spread them out and pass on them.

   Our concern was what was going to happen when Wisconsin's huge offensive
line took on our defense.  Every guy was over 300 pounds.  The Badgers had
a power running game.  They pounded the ball at you until you broke.

   Our defense proved up to their first test.  They let Wisconsin have one
first down before they stopped them and forced a punt.  They punted it out
of bounds.  Zack and the offense used passing to loosen up the Badgers and
then mixed in some running plays to keep them off balance.  They drove the
ball down the field and scored a touchdown on a nine play drive.

   Wisconsin responded with a long drive of their own, running the ball up
the middle of our line.  Coach Czerwinski and the other defensive coaches
kept our defensive line fresh by substituting players frequently.  Our
defense managed to stop them before they could score a touchdown.  The
score was 14-3 at the end of the first quarter.

   The Badgers didn't want to give me a second chance to have a long
return. They kicked the ball for the corner of the field to make it
difficult for me to get the ball.  It bounced out of bounds at our three
yard line.  Coach Burton was satisfied to have the ball at the 35 yard line
so he didn't make Wisconsin kick over.

   The Badgers had expected us to pass based on our play calling in the
first two drives.  We threw them a curve ball by running three times in a
row - all runs to the strong side of the field.  It was a set-up for our
reverse play.

   The coaches sent me in after we crossed the center of the field.  Our
reverse play ran nearly perfectly.  The Wisconsin players headed to our
right following Shawn's fake.  Zack threw a good block on the outside
linebacker to get me loose down field.  Derek Whitaker screened the
cornerback on his side as I ran past them down the sideline.  I sprinted as
hard as I could go for the end zone.  No one touched me before I scored. 
Cooper Barnes kicked the PAT to bring the score to 21-3 Penn State.

   Our third score changed the complexion of the game.  Wisconsin couldn't
rely on their power running game anymore.  They had to try to pass to catch
up to us.  They didn't have the skill to pull it off.  Antwaan Booker
grabbed two sacks, Jacob Washington got one - even Trevor Conwell got one
when he rotated into the defensive line for his shift.

   Wisconsin wasn't entirely toothless.  They managed to strip the ball
from Shawn O'Conner near the end of the first half.  They drove the
intervening 23 yards and scored a touchdown.  The score was 28-10 at the
half.

   The second half didn't go better for them.  We added 10 points to our
tally.  I went in for five plays during the second half.  I caught a 7 yard
and a 24 yard pass while I was on the field.  Aaron Morano broke up any
pass that went his way.  He also grabbed an interception in the third
quarter.  Wisconsin managed a final touchdown late in fourth quarter when
the result of the game was beyond doubt.

   My friends and teammates celebrated our 38-17 victory along with 107,000
fans.  The media had underestimated Penn State again.  We expected our
ranking to rise thanks to our victory.  The media mobbed Antwaan, Aaron,
Shawn, Bo, Evan and Zack after the game.  Next season I was going to have
to deal with them too, if I managed to do well.

   I joined Jay, Damian, Trevor, Shawn Byrd and GJ for a late dinner.  We
headed downtown for some pizza.  Trevor was totally stoked by getting
another sack, his first since our opening game.  We headed back to our dorm
when we finished to prepare for the party at Zack and Aaron's apartment.

   I took another shower even though I doubted I really needed one.  I
wanted to make sure I smelled sweet when I dove back into the dating pool
that evening.  Christian was preparing for his date with Bev when I
dressed. He just shook his head when he saw me pocket a few condoms.  I was
totally horny after three months of celibacy.  I planned to bone some
pretty coed that evening.

   The party was already going when Jay and I arrived.  I grabbed a beer
and mingled while I waited for Johara.  She'd come on to me every Saturday
night since I started college.  I knew I'd be welcomed with open arms (and
open legs) to her bed.

   I started to worry after forty-five minutes.  Johara rarely was late for
a party.  I followed Miranda Brooks into the kitchen when she went for a
drink.  I asked, "Miranda, do you know if Johara was coming to the party
tonight?  We talked about getting together tonight last week."

   "Johara?  No, she won't be around.  She went home for the weekend."
Miranda answered.

   "Oh." I tried to react casually.  Now what?  I still wanted to score a
piece.  "Thanks for the info."

   Miranda went back to the living room.  I considered my options.  Plan A
was dead.  Now what?  I settled on my old high school plan - hang with Zack
Hayes and see if something pretty fell in my lap.  I drifted back to the
living room and joined the crowd around my buddy.  Miranda was there. 
Briana Peterson too.  Jay was hanging out like he usually did.  There were
a couple girls I had seen before but I didn't know.

   Zack welcomed me to the group with a knowing look.  I joined in the
conversation with the girls, Jay and Zack.  We guys flirted with the girls
and they returned it in spades.  I found out the names of the two girls I
didn't know.

   The first was Kimberly Frey.  Kimberly was a sophomore from Johnstown,
Pa.  She's studying to be a Landscape Architect.  Kimberly was 5'-5" tall
and probably weighed around 125 pounds.  Blond shoulder length hair framed
her oval head.  Her ample breasts stretched her tight sweater.  I followed
her curves down to a nicely rounded ass.  Kimberly was all together a nice
package.

   The second girl was Maria Dixon, a junior studying nursing.  Maria was
an inch taller than Kimberly.  She wore her black hair short.  She wasn't
as well endowed as Kimberly, but still she looked good.

   Zack took a half hour of flirting to make his decision about which girl
he wanted for the evening.  Zack whispered an offer to Maria.  The look on
her face told the other girls immediately who was spending the night with
Zack.  Zack gave Miranda a kiss on the cheek and whispered to her.  She
split to make other arrangements for herself for the evening.

   Zack whispered to Kimberly next.  She glanced at me like she was
appraising me.  Zack nodded when she looked back at him.  He gave Kimberly
a kiss.  I thought I received the Hayes seal of approval.  Kimberly moved a
little closer to me.

   Zack whispered to Brianna and then gave her a hug.  Jay, Brianna,
Kimberly and I continued talking when Zack and Maria left.  Brianna moved
in closer to Jay, invading his space.  Kimberly moved close to me.  She was
quite welcome in my personal space.

   Brianna and Jay headed off for the couch in the living room.  They had
spent a couple Saturday nights together already this term.  They knew
exactly where things were heading for the two of them - to some available
bed for a game of slap and tickle.

   Kimberly seemed interested but unsure if I was suitable for her needs
this evening.  I suggested, "Why don't we get something to drink?"

   "Sure." Kimberly said.  We headed for the kitchen.  I poured two beers
from the keg.  Kimberly giggled and added, "You aren't trying to get me
drunk are you?"

   "No, I wouldn't try that.  I was hoping we'd have some fun together
tonight." I answered.

   We headed back to the living room.  There was space beside Brianna and
Jay.  Those two were closely engaged with each other, kissing and touching.
We sat beside them.  We exchanged stories about ourselves.  Kimberly seemed
interested in what I had to say.  I listened as she told me more about
herself.

   I decided to move the conversation a little closer to the subject at the
forefront of my mind - sex.  I asked, "What's the most outrageous pick-up
line you've heard?"

   "Pick-up line?  Ummm... `The word of the day is `legs.' Let's go back to
my place and spread the word.' Isn't it horrible?"

   "I've heard worse." I answered.

   "What?" Kimberly asked.

   "Forget about playing doctor.  Let's play gynecologist!"

   "Oh, that's terrible.  How about this: `You are so selfish!  You're
going to have that body the rest of your life and I just want it for one
night.'"

   "Nah, that's not it.  How about `Hi, my name is `Milk.' I'll do your
body good.'?" I answered.

   Kimberly said, "I can top that one.  `They say sex is a killer...  Do
you want to die happy?' Can you top that?"

   "If I told you that you have a beautiful body, would you hold it against
me?"

   "That's not that bad Kyle.  What's your best pick-up line?" Kimberly
asked.

   "My best?  I'm a little out of practice.  How about `Do you mind if I
end this sentence with a proposition?' What do you think?" I asked.

   "That can't be your best." Kimberly answered.

   "You're right.  I have one that's better.  It's `What's the most
outrageous pick-up line you've ever heard?'" I grinned at her.

   Kimberly thought about it for a few seconds before it hit her.  I'd used
my best line on her already.  She laughed.  "OK.  That is a very good one."

   My opening had worked.  Kimberly was more comfortable with me.  She
leaned against my side.  I put my arm around her.  I felt her relax.  We
continued talking, but more intimately than before.

   Kimberly asked me about how I knew Zack.  I explained about our
relationship that went back to high school and before.  When I finished
Kimberly asked, "You've known Zack for quite a few years.  Do you know why
I was hanging out with him this evening?"

   I stared into Kimberly's eyes.  She stared back for a second and started
to blush.  I finally answered, "I know why."

   "Zack said I would have fun with you tonight if I wanted to.  He was
right so far.  You're sweet, funny and a good conversationalist.  May I be
a little blunt?"

   "Sure."

   "He said you're good in bed.  I've been trying to figure you out all
night.  As a rule freshmen aren't good in bed.  They hurry.  Poke it in too
soon, rut a little and cum.  Disappear when they're done."

   "There are always exceptions to the rule.  I would be embarrassed if I
was performed like you described.  We have all evening.  There is no need
to hurry." I explained.

   "What's your favorite thing when you're in bed with a girl?" Kimberly
asked.

   "My favorite thing is pretty obvious.  I'll tell you my second favorite
thing first.  I like to take these two fingers..." I held my index and
middle fingers up and curled them forward the way I do when I stimulating a
girl's G-spot.  "...slide them in and rub gently around her G-spot while I
tease her clitoris with my tongue.  The squeal that usually elicits when
she cums is so exciting."

   "What is your favorite thing?" Kimberly asked.

   "I love intercourse.  Intercourse feels so much better after my girl has
cum a couple times.  Nothing brings two people closer together than that."
I explained.

   "You're the first freshman I've met who said he was willing to try oral
sex with me."

   "I love cunnilingus."

   Kimberly hesitated as she stared at me.  "I'll take a chance on you if
you are interested."

   "I'd enjoy that Kimberly." I answered.

   Kimberly asked, "Do you want to go find a room?"

   "Isn't that a little fast?  Don't you want a little foreplay first?" I
asked.

   Kimberly grinned.  "THAT was the perfect answer sweetie!" Kimberly
rolled on top of me.  I wrapped my arms around her as our lips met.  We
kissed madly.  Our tongues tangled together.  Our passion increased. 
Kimberly ran her hands through my hair as we kissed.  I rubbed my hands up
and down her back as we kissed.  Kimberly squirmed on me, rubbing her ample
tits against my chest.

   I rubbed Kimberly's tits after a few minutes.  Her moans into my open
mouth told me she loved it.  Kimberly rubbed against my prominent boner. 
We continued stimulating each other.

   A couple minutes more was all Kimberly wanted.  She moaned, "Can we go
to your room Kyle?"

   "I wish we could.  My roommate is probably asleep already.  How about
your room?"

   "No.  My roommate Lilly is entertaining her boyfriend this evening."

   I suggested, "Let's try upstairs.  I know Zack wouldn't mind if we used
his room."

   "Do you think Maria and Zack are done?"

   "Let's find out." I answered.  I followed Kimberly upstairs, using her
to hide my prominent erection.  Both doors were closed.  We headed
downstairs again.  I spotted Evan Foster talking with a couple other guys.

   I asked, "Hey Evan, could Kimberly and I use your room for a little
while?"

   Evan gave me a wink and answered, "Sure.  No problem."

   We hurried to Evan's room, in the back of the first floor behind the
kitchen.  It was open.  I locked the door behind us while Kimberly pulled
back the bedspread.  She lay back on the bed and called for me.  I pulled
my shirt off and joined her.  We made out for a few minutes.  I suggested,
"Let's get undressed.  We both know where we're heading."

   Kimberly pulled her sweater off and released her tits from her bra. 
God, they were beautiful.  They were the largest set of tits I had ever had
the pleasure to see.  It would take forever to kiss my way around them. 
Each was crowned with a 50 cent piece sized brown areola and erect ½ inch
long nipple.  I stared at them while I pulled off my shoes and socks.

   I pulled down my pants and boxers and displayed my seven inches of
hardwood.  Kimberly cooed, "Zack didn't tell me you were hung too."

   "Guys don't talk about that." I explained.

   "Girls do.  Word is going to get around sweetie if you know what to do
with that thing."

   "I know.  I promise you I know." I said.

   Kimberly unzipped and removed her slacks while we bantered.  She dropped
them on the floor, pulled her panties open and asked, "Do you want to do
the honors?"

   "Sure." I answered.  Kimberly arched her hips while I pulled her panties
down.  I was surprised to see that Kimberly shaved.  Her pubic area was
bare and completely smooth.  She looked like a young girl except for the
how red and puffy her labia looked.

   We lay side by side on the bed and went back to kissing.  Kimberly
rubbed her hands up and down my sides and back while we kissed.  I held her
tight to my body.  I felt great to feel tits mashed against my chest again.
I kissed my way down her neck and chest until I reached her ample cleavage.
My kisses circled around her right tit, slowly converging on her nipple. 
Kimberly squirmed when I sucked her nipple into my mouth and teased it with
my tongue.

   I spent awhile enjoying the gorgeous mounds of flesh with my fingertips
and tongue.  The skin was so smooth and white.  Her breasts felt like two
fluffy pillows as I massaged them with my fingers.  I left a trail of
kisses down across her chest, belly and bare mons.

   I ran my tongue gently up and down her puffy outer lips.  She was
secreting those intoxicating female juices that I had missed for the last
three months.  I licked up and down spreading saliva and her juices around
everything.  I pushed my tongue into her slit.  I rimmed her vaginal hole
without penetrating it and then ran my tongue up through her soft pink
inner folds.  I ran my tongue up her slot and twirled a little extra over
her clitoris' hiding spot.

   Mocking the date rape lectures from the start of the term, I asked, "Is
it all right if I continue?" We were supposed to ask the girl for
permission each step of the way as our intimacy progressed.

   "Damn!" Kimberly hissed as she pushed my head into her womanhood.  I
took that as a yes.

   I used my fingers to pry open her outer labia.  I used my tongue to
bathe her bright pink inner folds.  After a couple times up to her clitoris
and down again to her hole, I thrust my tongue inside her.  Kimberly
gasped. My tongue met her liquid heat.  I twirled it around, withdrew and
then thrust it in again.  I pulled away and asked, "Is it all right if I
penetrate you?"

   "Shit!  Don't stop!" Kimberly panted.

   I tongue fucked her a few times and then licked my way back up to her
clit.  I carefully worked one finger into her hole while I licked around
her clitoris' hiding place.  I thrust and wiggled my finger inside her
while I licked.  Kimberly was panting and squirming as I increased the
stimulation on her body.  I worked a second finger inside with the first.

   She was close to her first orgasm.  I asked, "May I play with your
G-spot?"

   "I don't....  " I wiggled my fingers inside her.  She gasped.  "...don't
know that..." Gasp.  "... I have one."

   Her clitoris finally peeked out.  I tongued around the base of it while
I curled my fingers and probed for her special spot.  I twirled my tongue
around her clit while I searched.  It took a little time but I found the
small sack of glands that wrapped around her urethra.

   I pressed my two fingers against the spot and massaged gently.  Kimberly
groaned, "Ooohhh....  OOOHHHH.....  SHIT!" I massaged and sucked her
clitoris right into my mouth.  I barely started to tease the tip with my
tongue when Kimberly exploded.

   "Ooohhh... Ooohhhh.....  oooooooOOOOOOOOHHHHHHhhhhhhh...." She bucked
her hips up against my face.  Her pussy spasmed around my fingers as she
came.  I licked a couple more times to help her along.  I sat back and
watched her tits jiggle from her spasms.  Juices drenched my hand from her
excitement.

   I withdrew my fingers and stretched out on the bed so my head was even
with hers while she calmed down from her orgasm.  I give her a quick kiss
on the cheek.  I asked, "Did you enjoy that?"

   "Wow!" was the only reply for about thirty seconds.  She gave me a kiss.
"I won't prejudge freshmen anymore.  That was spectacular Kyle."

   "I'm glad you enjoyed it so far."

   Kimberly rolled on top of me and kissed me.  Our lips opened wide and
our tongues met.  We spent a few minutes sucking and nibbling on each
others tongues and lips.  Kimberly reached between our bodies and grabbed
my hard cock.  I shuddered at the feel of another person touching me for
the first time in months.  She shifted her leg over my body and lined me up
with her hole.  I groaned, "Uhh..." Kimberly started to slide my boner
inside her wet hole.  My balls tingled.  "Stop!" I groaned.  I was almost
ready to shoot off.  "Don't hurry things." I scooted down the bed so my
cock wasn't inside her anymore.

   Kimberly cocked her head and stared at me.  I explained, "I'm out of
practice."

   "I couldn't tell." Kimberly said.

   "Why don't we do some 69?  I need to cum to take the edge off.  I
haven't been with a girl in three months."

   "Oh." Kimberly said.  "I'm not sure I know exactly what to do.  I
haven't tried it before."

   "You'll enjoy it Kimberly.  Lie on your back." I instructed.  She did. I
switched around so we faced opposite directions.  "Have you given blow jobs
before?"

   Kimberly hesitated a few seconds and then said, "A few times."

   "You'll pick it up quick.  My girlfriend and I... uh... My ex-girlfriend
and I loved this." Kimberly ignored my faux pas.  I straddled her head with
my knees, leaned down and licked her sloppy slot.  I explained, "I'll warn
you when I'm ready to cum." I chuckled.  "It won't take long."

   "You'll be able to get hard again?"

   "Sure.  That won't be a problem." I said.  I licked up and down her
outer labia.  Kimberly fondled my hard-on with one hand and then licked
around the crown of my cock.  It was apparent that Kimberly hadn't given
head very often.  She wasn't real talented at it.  It didn't matter for me.
I tried to concentrate on giving her an orgasm while she sucked the head of
my cock.

   Kimberly stroked my shaft while she teased on my cock head.  I doubt I
lasted more than about thirty seconds.  I sucked on her clitoris trying to
stimulate her to orgasm before I came.  I didn't last that long.  I
groaned, "I'mmmm....  Cummm....  .....ing!"

   I gave Kimberly barely enough warning to pull off my cock head before I
blasted a huge load of semen all over her chest and neck.  I needed fifteen
or twenty seconds to collect my wits again.  I went back to licking my
lover's clitoris until she gasped and came too.  We rolled apart and lay on
Evan's bed, temporarily spent.

   After I came down from my high, I looked around and found Evan's box of
tissues.  I grabbed a few and carefully cleaned my spend off Kimberly.  I
lay down beside her again after I deposited the tissues in the trash.

   "You're something else Kyle." Kimberly cooed to me.  "How long will it
take to get you ready?"

   "Play with my cock with your hand while we kiss.  It won't take long." I
answered.  We went back to deep kissing while she massaged my cock.  I was
hard as steel within a couple minutes.

   Kimberly cooed to me.  "You're ready.  Let's do it." She rolled on top
of me and lined me up.

   "Hang on.  I need to get a condom." I said.

   "I'm on the pill." Kimberly replied.

   "Let's be very safe.  My brother got his girlfriend pregnant.  I don't
want to take any chances." I explained.  I hopped out of bed, grabbed a
condom from my pants and rolled the sheath over my seven inch erection. 
"All set.  What's your favorite position?"

   "Ummm... missionary is good." Kimberly answered.  She spread her legs. I
climbed between them and positioned my cock at her hole.

   I grinned and teased, "Do I have your permission to fuck you?" My
question was worded a little coarser than the way it was stated at the
orientation lecture on sexual conduct we had at the start of the term. 
Kimberly grinned when she recognized the wording.

   "You have my permission to fuck me." Kimberly answered.  She giggled as
I thrust my erection into her body.

   Oh God!  This felt good.  I closed my eyes and concentrated on the
sensation of my cock sinking into another person's body.  I could feel the
heat and wetness through the thin membrane protecting me from fatherhood. I
slowly sank in until my pubic bone settled against Kimberly's.

   I opened my eyes and stared in Kimberly's eyes.  She was grinning.  I
slowly pulled my cock out part way and thrust back in.  I worked my cock in
and out slowly at first.  I wanted to enjoy every millimeter of my cock
sliding along the folds of Kimberly's pussy.  In and out; in and out;
followed by rubbing my pubic bone against Kimberly's so I could stimulate
her clit.

   I slowly probed her pussy with my bone.  I increased the pace, prodding
my prick in deeper.  Kimberly's chest heaved as I humped.  Her hands
grasped my ass cheeks, impelling me to go faster.  I plunged in deep and
fast, banging my furry bush against her bare mons.  Kimberly moaned when I
mashed her clitoris with each plunge.  She gasped as she approached climax
again.  I continued thrusting fast and hard.

   My balls tightened.  I was close.  I pounded my lover, rubbing her clit
on every thrust now.  We were racing towards climax, uncertain who would
cum first.  I desperately tried to hold off my climax for a few more
thrusts.

   Kimberly clawed at my back.  She squealed, "Aaaeeeeeiiiii!" Her pussy
clenched around my hard cock, begging to be bathed in my sperm.  Kimberly
moaned and panted as she experienced her third orgasm of the evening.  I
plunged in deep and pressed my cock against her cervix.  My balls exploded,
spurting the condom full of my sticky white seed.  I collapsed and rolled
off Kimberly.  She rolled away from me, letting my slimy, rapidly deflating
cock fall out.

   The two of us needed time to recover our senses after our amazing
coupling.  Kimberly said, "Wow.  That was fantastic Kyle."

   "Thanks, you're pretty special yourself."

   I rolled out of Evan's bed first.  Kimberly smiled and stared at me.  I
pulled the used condom off my cock, knotted it and threw it in Evan's trash
can.  I lay down beside Kimberly again.  We cuddled together.  We exchanged
quick kisses.  That didn't last.  The pecks escalated to deep kisses.  We
clenched each other.  Kimberly rubbed against my naked body.  My cock
didn't need much inspiration to swell to hardness again.

   Kimberly pulled her head away form mine.  "You're excited again.  Do you
want to do me another time?"

   "Sure, if you'd like." I answered.  She responded with a deep kiss.  I
pulled away after our tongues tangled.

   "I'll get another condom." I rolled another sheath over my prick.  I
asked, "Do you want to be on top?"

   "You don't mind?" Kimberly asked.

   "It's all good." Kimberly and I exchanged places.  I lay down on my back
in the middle of Evan's bed.  Kimberly waited until I was in position and
then climbed over me.  I held my erection up for.  She positioned the tip
at her opening and then sank down, impaling herself on my hardness.

   Kimberly rocked back and forth on my cock, stimulating herself.  She
asked, "A lot of guys aren't crazy about this position.  They like to be in
control."

   "I don't care.  You have my cock encased in your hot velvet tunnel.  I
get to watch your gorgeous breasts sway back and forth while you fuck me.
Why wouldn't I enjoy it?"

   "I guess." Kimberly answered.  She concentrated on humping herself on my
erection.  I let her excite herself for a few minutes before I started to
play with her tits.  Kimberly rocked and then rose and impaled herself
increasing her excitement.

   I thrust my hips up to meet her down movements.  The sounds of skin
slapping together along with our moans filled the small room.  We went at
it for probably ten minutes, maybe more.

   Kimberly was panting now.  Sweat rolled down her chest and dripped onto
me.  I used one hand to excite her by playing with her nipple.  I moved the
other hand down and teased her clitoris.  The additional stimulation fanned
the heat of her passion and set her ablaze.  My teasing brought her to
climax again.

   Kimberly shook as the orgasm wracked her body.  Her pussy clasped and
spasmed around my cock.  Subconsciously it was begging to be bathed in
sperm, to fulfill its mission for our species - procreation.

   I wasn't close to climax yet.  Kimberly slumped down when she finished
her climax.  I asked, "Are you tired?" She nodded yes.  "Would you like me
to do the work?"

   "Are you close?" Kimberly asked.

   "Not really."

   "Go ahead Kyle." Kimberly said.  I pulled her on top of me.  She wrapped
her legs around me.  I rolled us over.  I ended up on my knees.  Kimberly
shifted her legs up onto my shoulder.  I thrust deep with each stroke,
trying to bring myself off before Kimberly had enough.

   I misjudged her.  "I like it hard in this position Kyle.  Give to me."

   I obliged.  I pounded my hardness into her pussy repeatedly.  Kimberly
clawed at my back as I drilled her.  My arousal rose rapidly.  I rammed
home again and again.  My balls pulled tight against my bottom.  I jammed
my cock in until my pubic bone crashed against Kimberly's.  I froze as my
cock erupted.  My cum spurted out repeatedly, filling the condom with my
spend.  I collapsed on top of Kimberly.  She rolled us on our sides.  She
pulled her legs off my shoulders and cuddled against me.

   I was spent from my frenzy.  Kimberly held me and gave me kisses while I
recovered.  She said, "You're something else Kyle.  I haven't found many
guys who can make me feel like this."

   I blinked and smiled.  Finally I found my voice.  "I'm glad you had fun.
I enjoyed this too."

   "I teased you about most freshmen not being very good in bed.  Where'd
you learn to do this?  I've found precious few at any age who could get me
off the way you just did."

   "Zack is one of the guys, isn't he?"

   "Yes.  How did you know?"

   "We went to high school together.  I hung out with him a lot on weekends
when I was in ninth grade.  He had that reputation back then too.  I
learned some of what I know from him.  I learned more from my older
brother." I paused for a second.  "I guess I owe most of what I know to my
brother Will.  He is the one who taught Zack how to please a girl."

   "Your brother?  The one that got his girlfriend pregnant?"

   "No, that's my younger brother Andy."

   Kimberly said, "I'd love to meet your older brother.  I bet I could have
a lot of fun with him."

   "Not anymore.  Will got married a few months ago." I said.

   "Oh well.  I'll settle for his students."

   I climbed out of bed and pulled the slimy rubber off my soft cock.  I
knotted it and tossed it in the trash.  Kimberly sat up and used some
tissues to clean herself off.  I pulled on my boxers.

   Kimberly gathered up her clothes and started to dress.  I did the same.
Kimberly looked me over as I put on my shirt.  "I should have talked about
this sooner.  You don't expect that we're going to go steady or anything do
you?"

   "No, I didn't expect that.  I just ended a two year relationship two
weeks ago.  I was only looking for some fun."

   "Good.  I enjoyed this evening.  It doesn't need to mean more than
that." Kimberly said.

   "I knew that going in.  I've known Zack for years.  If you lose the
Hayes lottery again, I'd be happy to fill in for him.  You're gorgeous, fun
to be with and a hell of a lover."

   Kimberly blushed a little.  "Thanks Kyle." She giggled.  "The Hayes
lottery?  I've never heard Zack's Saturday evening fling called that."

   "I called it that in ninth grade.  I'd be happy to substitute for my
friend anytime you want me."

   "I'll remember that.  I'd enjoy an encore with you." Kimberly said.  "We
better get going.  I bet my girlfriends are wondering where I got to." We
hugged each other and kissed before we left Evan's bedroom.

   We exchanged a final kiss before we parted.  Kimberly headed for her
group of friends.

   Evan elbowed me in the ribs.  He said, "I thought I was going to have to
sleep on the couch tonight.  Did you have fun?"

   I blushed a little and said, "Yeah.  I needed that.  Thanks for letting
us use your bedroom.  I've got to get going.  It's late."

   "No problem Kyle." Evan answered.

   I heard Kimberly's friends ask, "Girl, where were you?  We were ready to
send out a search party for you."

   "I was fine." Kimberly answered.

   "So???  How was he?" one of the girls asked.  I paused at the door,
curious about her answer.

   Kimberly said, "I'm tired.  I'm heading back to my dorm." I started out
the door.  I just heard her add, "I'll tell you tomorrow." as I left.  I
headed down the street to Hartranft.  I'd had a good night.

   It was a quarter to one when I got back to my room.  I undressed in the
dark so I wouldn't disturb Christian when I got back to my room.  I lay
down on my bed and began to contemplate my situation.

   I had been lecturing my brother Andy for a couple years how much better
it was to be in a steady meaningful relationship with a girl than to jump
in bed with the first one to offer.  My night with Kimberly was just a one
night stand.  I liked her but I wasn't looking for anything more than
getting my rocks off with her.  What did that say about my morals?  I feel
asleep before I worked out any answers.



   Chapter 7

   =========

   Christian woke me too early for my tastes on Sunday morning.  I tried to
sleep again when he left for breakfast with Bev.  I tossed and turned for
awhile and finally gave up on sleep.  I got up, feeling pretty good.  I
didn't have the hangover I often had on a Sunday morning.  After breakfast
I checked my e-mail.  I wasn't in as much of a hurry to check now that I
didn't get daily e-mail from Penny.

   Andy filled me in on the details of my high school team's Friday night
game.  The Wolverines beat the Braves, the second strongest team in our
league, by 31-24.  My friends fell behind early.  They needed some second
half heroics to pull out the win.  Andy scored the winning touchdown with
only a couple minutes left in the game.  Andy said our team expected to
easily win the final two games against weak opponents.  They were well
positioned for a strong playoff run.

   Andy said he and Jake were looking forward to their visit to Penn State
in two weeks.  I was going to enjoy seeing some of my family after being
away for three months.

   I worked on the problems Kevin Lee wanted me to do before our tutoring
session on Monday.  When I finished them I headed over to the Lasch
Building to study film for our game at Northwestern next Saturday.

   My friends teased me at dinner about the previous evening.  Trevor said,
"Martin was in the back bedroom so long with the girl because he needed a
roadmap to find his way."

   Tony King added, "I don't need no hour and half to screw a girl." Too
bad for you and the girl you take to bed I thought.  I kept the thought to
myself.  Most of the freshmen at the table joined in teasing me.  G.  J. 
DeLuca didn't, he was plainly embarrassed by our discussion of sex. 
Christian also kept quiet.  His disapproval registered on his face.  Jay
Nicholson made a couple mild comments.  He also winked at me a couple times
to let me know he understood - slow is good when it comes to sex.

   Christian saved his comments for when we got back to our room.  He said,
"I don't know which is worse - getting so drunk you pass out or sleeping
with a stranger."

   "Sleeping with Kimberly isn't as messy." I answered.

   Christian shook his head.  I asked, "No lectures tonight?"

   "What's the point?  You know fornication is a sin.  You know we're too
young to drink.  You do it anyway.  If I'd known in April what I know
now..." Christian hesitated for a second.  "...I wouldn't have agreed to
room with you."

   "That's fine with me!" I answered hotly.  I grabbed my books and headed
to the study area in the Lasch Building.  I didn't need to spend time with
Christian at the moment.

   I wasn't really that mad at Christian.  I still considered him a friend.
The two of us were mismatched.  We never should have roomed together.

   -------------------------------------------------------------------

   My week went better.  Kevin Lee's tutoring helped.  I understood what
Dr. Gowavaram was teaching better then before.  Kevin drilled me on the
day's lesson at our Monday afternoon tutoring session.

   Kelly O'Keefe and Tanner Riggs spent all of the time before History
talking about their date on Saturday night.  Apparently they had a good
time together.  Tanner was a lucky guy.  Kelly was a good looking, sweet
girl.

   Coach Schroeder had me practice a few new plays with the first string.
They were ones that Ryan Reynolds had reviewed with me in the past couple
weeks.  I thought I did them well.  I caught two passes when Aaron Morano
covered me.  I was pleased with Monday's practice.

   Our team was confident that we could handle Northwestern.  Their record
was 5-5.  They were unranked.  They already lost to Ohio State, Wisconsin
and Illinois, all teams we had beaten.  Of course they lost to #2 ranked
Michigan too.  We should beat them if everyone properly played their parts
in the game plan.

   I was surprised when Christian's noise woke me up Tuesday morning.  I
didn't mind as much on Tuesdays since I had an 8 o'clock class.  I glanced
at me alarm clock.  It was a few minutes after 6 am.  I rolled over and
sighed.  I asked, "Why in the hell are you up already?"

   Christian ignored my profanity most times now.  "I have a lot of
homework tonight.  I want do my work out at Lasch before class today."

   I grunted, "Enjoy." I rolled over and tried to fall asleep again.  My
alarm woke me at 7 am.  I grabbed a shower and headed for breakfast.

   I had barely started my eggs, sausage and hash browns when Damian
Thompson slapped his tray down beside me and had a seat.  "Good morning." I
said pleasantly.

   "Hah!"

   "What's wrong?  I don't usually see you up this early."

   "Friggin' G.  J.!  I hate morning people." Damian groused.

   I sympathized, "I know what you mean."

   "G.  J.  is back in our room doing homework.  I don't have a class until
10:10.  I could have a least two more hours to sleep." Damian said.
"Would you believe Christian was up at 6 am this morning?  He's over at

Lasch doing his workout before his 8 o'clock class."

   "You're kidding." Damian shook his head.  "You've got it just as bad as
me for a roommate."

   "Don't get me wrong.  Christian is a good friend.  We're just
mismatched. He's up early every morning.  He goes to bed too early.  I'd
rather sleep later and go to bed at midnight instead of 10 pm."

   "Yeah, I'm with you." Damian chuckled.  "It'd be better if G.  J.  and
Christian roomed together."

   I stared at Damian for a couple moments.  I cocked my head and asked,
"Maybe they should."

   "What?"

   "Maybe we should talk to them about rooming together.  You know, we swap
roommates.  You and I can stay up late at night and sleep late the next
morning." I said.

   "Are you serious?" Damian asked.  I could see the wheels turning in his
head.

   "Yeah, I am.  What do you think?"

   "I don't know what to say.  You're sure?" Damian asked.

   "Yes...  you know...  I think we've gotten to be good friends over the
last three months.  I could see us rooming together."

   "Would you be comfortable with that?"

   "Why not?" I asked.

   Damian explained, "You're from a pretty conservative part of the state.
I saw your high school team.  Would you be OK with rooming with someone
like me?" He held up his black hands in front of me.  "You only had one
black on your team."

   "Actually the Wolverines had two black guys on the team.  We had to
recruit them both for the team.  They hadn't planned to play football.  We
played the guys we had available.  I haven't had a lot of experience with
black guys before I got here.  Have I done anything to make you think I'm a
racist?"

   "No, you've become a good friend Kyle."

   "Would it bother you if I cursed when we're together?  I've been know to
say God damn and Jesus occasionally."

   "Hell no, that won't bother me." Damian answered.  "G.  J.  complains
that I'm a slob.  Will that bother you?"

   I laughed.  "Christian says the same thing about me.  Would it bother
you if you caught me wacking off after I go to bed?"

   "I wouldn't hear you.  I'd be too busy doing the same thing." Damian
grinned at me when he said it.

   "I think we should do this.  Why don't we talk to Christian and G.  J.
before practice starts."

   "OK." Damian said.  He extended his hand to me.  I shook it.

   I was excited all day at the possibility that I could solve my roommate
problem.  I still wanted to be friends with Christian but we were too
different to share a room together.  I felt like a visitor in my own dorm
room.  I had to monitor my cursing.  I always had to make my bed.  I had to
pick up everything immediately when I was done with it.  I was more
inhibited here than I had been at home living with my parents.  I just
didn't feel comfortable - like this was my home.

   I didn't see Christian before practice.  Damian had talked to G.  J.  at
lunch time.  He was aboard with the idea.  The three of us tackled
Christian when he came into the locker room.  Christian readily agreed that
it was a good idea.  We decided we would flip a coin to see who stayed in
their current room and who moved.  Heads G.  J.  and I kept our rooms and
tails we moved.  Damian flipped the coin.  It was heads.

   Christian talked to Pete Klein, our RA.  We had some paper work to fill
out with Housing and Residential Life, but Pete didn't mind if we went
ahead and swapped tonight.  The four of us discussed it.  Christian had a
big term paper due tomorrow.  He needed to work on it all evening.  We
agreed that we would swap rooms on Wednesday night after dinner.

   I talked to Chelsea Wright at EDPSY 14 on Wednesday afternoon.  I let
her know that I was going to miss class on Friday for an away game.  She
was happy to take notes and e-mail them to me over the weekend so I would
be prepared for any questions Dr.  Henderson might have for me on Monday.
Chelsea was becoming a good friend.

   Christian and Damian filled out their paperwork at the Housing office in
Pollock Commons during the day on Wednesday.  I helped Christian move his
things down the hall in the evening.  G.  J.  helped Damian move his things
in with me.  Damian was settled in with me by 8:30 in the evening.

   Damian and I spent the remainder of the evening studying.  We didn't
head to bed until after 11:30.  I ceremoniously dropped my dirty clothes on
the floor beside my bed.  Damian did the same.

   I pulled my boxers down to my ankles when Damian turned out the light. I
enjoyed a nice unhurried cum.  A minute after my climax I heard Damian
groan.  Damian was enjoying the opportunity to play with himself too.

   Damian commented, "I wonder how G.  J.  and Christian are doing."

   "Probably asleep for a couple hours." I answered.  "Isn't G.  J. 
Catholic?"

   "Yeah, Catholic with a capital C.  Why?"

   "It could lead to some interesting theological conversations between the
two of them.  Christian is a Mennonite."

   "OK, what is the big deal about that?"

   "The Mennonites are big on having a personal relationship with God.  The
Catholics believe in the intercession of priests, saints, the Virgin Mary,
etc.  The Mennonites still remember some of their founders who were
martyred by Catholic government officials who wanted to stamp out their
sect."

   Damian asked, "I didn't realize there was so much disagreement between
Catholics and Mennonites.  Do you think Christian and G.  J.  will be able
to get over their differences?"

   "I'm sure they will." Damian got quiet.  I rolled over and went to
sleep.

   --------------------------------------------------------------

   I was used to the routine by our fourth travel game.  I caught the bus
from the Lasch Building after my Math 110 class on Friday morning.  I
grabbed a copy of the Daily Collegian on the way to class.  I carried it
along on the flight.

   The paper had an article comparing some of our personal statistics
against the rest of the NCAA BCS teams.  I wasn't surprised to see Aaron
Morano tied for the lead in interceptions.  His eight interceptions were
outstanding.  Zack Hayes ranked #10 in the nation in passing efficiency. 
Bo Cherry and Shawn O'Conner didn't show up at the top of the receiving and
rushing lists.  That wasn't surprising.  We spread the ball around too much
for one guy to be in the lead.  I was surprised when I got down to kick
returns.

   I had no idea I was top ranked in the nation at returning kicks.  My
average of 37.1 yards per return was the best.  The second place guy was
averaging 35.7 yards per return.  My 15.5 yards per punt return ranked me
eighth in the country.  I knew I wasn't surprising teams anymore.  This
must be why.

   The last stat that shocked me was the scoring tally for our team.  I
knew Cooper Barnes was tops on the list.  He had scored 69 points for us.
Shawn O'Conner and Bo Cherry were tied at 48 points with 8 touchdowns each.
My 6 touchdowns put me at third on our team's scoring list.  I guess I was
proving my worth to the team.  I felt a little better about myself than I
had a couple weeks ago.

   We flew into O'Hare Airport.  The athletic department set us up in the
Hilton Garden Inn a few blocks from the Evanston campus of Northwestern
University.

   The hotel catered our dinner and provided meeting rooms for the team to
use for our final preparations.  I had meetings with the offense, the wide
receivers and special teams.  It took my whole evening.

   The athletic department didn't know about Damian and me rooming
together. They booked a room for Christian and me.  I talked with Amy, one
of the event assistants from the Athletic Department, about switching.  She
assured me she would take care of the switch on our next away game. 
Christian and I needed to make the best of things this weekend.

   Christian and I headed back to our room when the meetings were done.  I
asked Christian when we got back to our room, "How is it working out with
you and G.  J.?"

   "Good.  I'm glad you and Damian thought this up.  I don't have to worry
about being so darn quiet in the morning.  I can turn the light on when I
get up and see what in the heck I'm doing.  It's great.  Do you and Damian
get along?"

   "Damian and I are getting along well.  Are you and me still OK?"

   "Us?  Yes, I still consider us to be friends."

   "Good, I wouldn't want to lose your friendship Christian." I said.

   Christian disappeared before I woke up on Saturday morning.  I got up in
time for our 8 am breakfast downstairs.  Christian and I packed our bags
and carried them down to the buses.

   The team headed over to Ryan Field, Northwestern's stadium.  When we
went out for our walk through practice at midmorning, I looked around at
Ryan Field.  It had a capacity of 45,000.  I commented to Christian, "It's
kind of a small stadium, don't you think?"

   Christian answered, "You have a short memory.  A year ago we played each
other in Hershey Park Stadium in front of 15,000 or so.  This holds three
times as many people."

   "I guess you're right.  But my point is that we've played 7 of our 9
games in front of 107,000 plus.  We've come a long way since last
December."

   Christian confirmed, "We have."

   We were loose and confident during our morning practice.  The coaches
reviewed the game plan with us.  We had an early lunch and then we dressed,
warmed up and waited for the noon start of our game.  My friends relaxed
and joked around.  We fully expected to beat Northwestern.  It would be a
piece of cake.

   Our offense's confidence was undeserved that afternoon.  We just
couldn't get into sync.  Zack threw a very uncharacteristic interception
with an overthrown pass in the first half.  It led to 7 points for the
Northwestern Wildcats.  We had two fumbles, both recovered by us
fortunately and half a dozen penalties.

   My contribution to the mess was minimal.  I was on the field for one
play with the offense.  Northwestern covered me with two guys when I ran a
deep route.  Zack fired the ball to Bo when he came open.  Bo dropped it.

   Our defense played well.  The Wildcats were held to one long field goal
when they were on offense.  I had a lot of work at returning punts.  The
Wildcats had paid attention to me when the studied video our previous
games. Their punter had a strong leg.  He kicked the ball away from me on
every kick.  The cover guys did a good job.  I had two fair catches,
watched a third punt get downed when I couldn't reach it.  The other two
punts went out of bounds.

   We were down 10-7 when we went into the locker room at halftime.  Coach
Burton chewed our asses out - with good reason.  Antwaan Booker and Aaron
Morano preached to us that we had to step things up.  Cut out the
screw-ups, play the way we could and to play with intensity.  We were fired
up after the three speeches.

   The assistant coaches gathered us by position to discuss adjustments. 
Coach Ferguson reviewed a change for us on punt returns.  He had an idea he
thought might spring me free in the second half on punt returns.

   Northwestern took the second half kickoff.  Cooper Barnes booted it into
the end zone.  They took the ball on their 20 yard line.  Our defense
didn't let them get their offense going.  The stopped the run on first down
with only a two yard gain.  Karol Ziska hurried the quarterback on second
down into an incompletion when he blitzed.  Aaron Morano knocked the third
down and long pass away.

   Northwestern's punter booted the ball down to me, angling for the left
side of the field.  That was exactly what Coach Ferguson expected and
planned for.  I drifted left and caught the ball on our 36 yard line.  My
blockers flocked to the left side of the field, pursued by the Wildcat
players.

   I started up the left sideline as my blockers formed up.  The Wildcats
pursued, trying to pin me against the sideline.  I watched my blockers as
my pursuers closed in.  Josh Bruno pushed his man down the field.  Damian
pushed his guy back towards our end zone, just the way Coach Ferguson
planned.  I sprinted through the crack, cutting back towards the opposite
side of the field.

   I accelerated as I headed across the field.  The Wildcats were too
enthusiastic in their pursuit.  No one was left in position to block my
return.  I sprinted down the far sideline and into the end zone untouched.
Cooper Barnes made the PAT to finally put our team in the lead 14-10.

   The Wildcats took the kickoff and started their drive down the field. 
Antwaan Booker, Jake Washington, Pete Klein and Karol Ziska kept them
bottled up.  They made three yards on the first two plays.  They tried a
pass on third down.  Aaron Morano slickly cut in front of the receiver's
out route, stole the pass and ran down the sideline for the end zone. 
Coop's PAT increased our lead to 21-10.

   The whole game turned in the space of about ninety seconds.  We kicked
the ball back to the Wildcats for the third time in the quarter.  Our
defense kept the pressure up.  They only managed a field goal in the second
half.  Our offense did a little better than before.  We managed to get our
running game going.  Our larger offensive line wore down the Wildcats
defenders in the fourth quarter.

   I was on the field for two more plays.  I caught one pass for seventeen
yards in the second half.  We added an insurance touchdown late in the game
to bring the final score to Penn State 28, Northwestern 13.  Our team
didn't shine that day, but we still got the win.

   The coaches managed to herd everyone onto the buses about an hour after
the game ended.  We took off from O'Hare headed for State College at 5:30
pm.  About 500 fans greeted us outside the Lasch Building when we got off
the buses at 10:30 that evening.  Damian and I headed straight to our rooms
and to bed.  It had been a long day.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   Andy sent me his usual weekend update e-mail on our high school football
team.  They played Cornwall on Friday night.  Cornwall's strong defense
held the Wolverines scoring down....

   ....to only 38 points.  The final score was 38-9 Wolverines' favor. 
Andy added two more touchdowns to his seasons' total.  Jake Kring was
superb as usual.  Next Friday night they would close out their season with
a game against Sadsbury.  Andy indicated that Sadsbury had its usual losing
record.  Andy and Jake were both looking forward to their visit to Penn
State the next weekend.  I was too - it was going to be nice to see Andy
and my Dad again.

   My adjustments to my personal life were working out better.  Damian and
I got along just fine.  We stayed up until 11:30 to midnight - our natural
bedtime.  We slept until it was time for classes.

   I could be a little sloppy.  Damian didn't care.  He was a little sloppy
too.  Our room wasn't a pig sty, but it was comfortable.  I could jerk off
at bedtime or in the morning without any complaints from Damian.  He often
did the same thing when I jerked off.  Our comfort around each other and
our friendship grew by the day.  The roommate swap was a big success for
the two of us.  Christian and G.  J.  seemed to get along too.

   I got to know Damian's friend from classes, Billy Robinson.  Billy was
from Altoona.  My mother is a Robinson.  We weren't related as far as Billy
and I could figure.  His family had moved to central Pennsylvania in the
1800's from Philadelphia.  I didn't know of any relatives in that area.  My
Robinson family had lived in the Lancaster/Chester County areas for two
centuries.

   Damian and Billy's appearances couldn't be more different.  Damian was
5'-10", 235 pounds.  He was squat and strong.  You could tell just by
looking that Damian could hurt you if he wanted to.  Billy was a tall and
thin white guy - 6'-1", 150 pounds.  His features could best be described
as soft and pleasant.  Billy wore his blond hair in a buzz cut.  He had a
diamond stud ear ring.

   I ate breakfast or lunch with Damian and Billy a few times.  He seemed
like a nice guy.  Damian went over to Billy's room in Schultz Hall a night
or two each week to study.  They worked together most of the night.  Damian
and Billy seemed to be close buddies.  Damian was always in a great mood
after spending the evening studying with Billy.

   I had a quiz in Math 110 on Monday.  I felt I had done OK on it.  I
found out on Thursday when Bai handed them back that I was correct.  I
scored an 82.  Kevin Lee's tutoring was having the desired effect.  I
finally felt like I really could pass the course.

   My southeast Pennsylvania sensibilities were shocked by Monday's
mini-blizzard.  A 30-40 mile an hour wind blew the couple inches of snow
all over.  Coach Burton decided practice would be more productive inside
Holuba Hall.  It was cramped inside with only one field for the three teams
to play on.  Each team worked across the field instead of up and down the
field.

   The coaches and our team captains Antwaan Booker, Aaron Morano and Bo
Cherry chewed us out for our lackadaisical performance on Saturday.  They
drilled all three teams hard on fundamentals.  My teammates and I worked
hard to prepare for our next game.

   We were playing Purdue here in State College.  The game was going to be
Senior Day, the last time our seniors would play in front of a home crowd.
Purdue was 6-4 and unranked.  They had a dominating defense along with a
strong but inconsistent offense.  Purdue allowed too many penalties and had
too many fumbles.  We expected to win as long as we played smart
disciplined football.

   The week flew by between classes, studying, film sessions, football
practices and team meetings.  I was busy all the time but I didn't feel as
stressed about everything as I had the previous month.  Coach Paterno's
advice about time management and organization really helped me get my act
together.

   ------------------------------------------------------------

   Coach Burton called Zack Hayes, Dominic `Cuch' Cuchiella, Jay Nicholson,
Jelani Hill and me in to see him after practice on Friday.  He went over
the plans for us to guide the potential recruits over the weekend.  Charles
Taylor and Adam Owens were visiting in addition to Jake Kring and my
brother Andy.  The recruits and their parents were due to meet Coach Burton
at 10:30 tomorrow morning.

   Zack, Cuch and I were the primary guides.  Jay and Jelani would look
after the recruits during the game preparations and the game itself. 
Jelani was available since he strained ligaments in his knee last weekend
and wasn't allowed to suit up for the game.  The trainers expected him to
be ready to play for the last game next weekend.  Jay, of course, was
always free to help with recruits since he was red-shirting this year.  Jay
had done this duty every home game weekend this fall.

   After dinner I went over to the Lasch Building to study video.  I did my
daily workout later in the evening.  My left knee, the one with the
surgically repaired ACL, was a little sore before I started.  It was
extremely sore by the time I was done.  I checked the trainer's room when I
finished my workout.  The trainers had gone home already.  I decided to see
them in the morning.

   I woke up to the sound of the wind howling outside my dorm.  I peeked
through the curtains to see bad weather had moved in overnight.  Heavy gray
clouds hung low, covering the view of Mount Nittany from my window.  The
wind was blowing into Happy Valley from the east.  The rain was coming down
steadily.  It wasn't going to be a receiver's kind of day.  It wasn't going
to be a good day for me either.  Catching kick offs and punts in this wind
was going to be interesting.

   My knee wasn't quite as sore as the previous evening, but it still
ached. I went straight over to the Lasch Building after breakfast.  I went
to see the trainers.  Mr.  Burgess, the head trainer, was busy.  Jason
Pennington saw me.  Jason asked, "What's up Kyle?"

   "My knees started bothering me last night.  I thought I should have
someone look at it to make sure it is OK."

   Jason said, "Hop up on the table.  I'll take a look." I climbed up on
the examination table.  I propped my left leg up on the table.  "What seems
to be the problem?" He looked at the scars on my knee from my ACL surgery.

   "This knee started to hurt last night.  I'm a little worried that I
might have done something to it when I was working out." I explained.  I
described what the pain felt like.  Jason smiled at me.

   "It started last evening?" Jason asked.  I nodded.  Jason probed my knee
with his hands.  "Things feel proper Kyle." He said after the examination.

   I asked, "What's going on with it?"

   "I believe you just became a weather forecaster."

   "Huh?"

   "Your knee was predicting the storm that came in early this morning.  It
is common with bone injuries to see this.  The ends of the bones have a
high density of nerve endings.  They are more sensitive to changes in
barometric pressure than before your injury."

   I asked, "I lost my ACL.  I didn't have a bone injury.  Why is this
happening?"

   "The surgeon who repaired your ACL had to drill holes in your femur and
tibia to attach the replacement.  That's the bone injury.  I should know."
Jason pointed down to his right knee.  I'd never noticed the three scars on
his knee.  "I ruptured my ACL five years ago in a skiing accident.  I took
a couple Tylenol last night.  They helped me.  Would you like some?"

   "Sure." I took the pills.

   "Your knee should be fine soon Kyle.  Mine stops aching when the storm
arrives." Jason explained.

   "Thanks Jason." I said.  I headed off to the player's lounge to relax
until it was time to meet Dad, Andy and the other recruits.  The Tylenol
helped the ache in my knee.  It felt OK by the time I went over to the
reception area to meet my Dad and brother.

   One family was waiting in the reception area when I got there fifteen
minutes before the appointed time.  They were an African-American family -
mother, father and son.  The son was probably around 6'-0" tall and
muscular.  He certainly spent a considerable amount of time in the weight
room.  He probably out-weighed me 20-25 pounds.  I guessed he was a
linebacker, fullback or tight end from his size and appearance.  Coach
Burton hadn't told me what positions the recruits played.

   Dad and Andy arrived about five minutes later.  Andy gave me an
exaggerated hand clasp, arm grasp and shake.  He grinned and said, "God! 
It's good to see you Kyle."

   "You too." I took a good look at my brother.  He looked more mature than
he had when I left home a few months ago.  He had put on some more muscle
since the summer.  His face was a little fuller.  You could finally see
that he shaved.

   Dad extended his arms to me and asked, "Do you have a hello for your
father?"

   "Sure." I answered.  I walked the few steps to Dad.  I offered my hand
for a handshake.

   Dad frowned a little.  "Don't I get a hug after all this time?"

   Jake Kring and his parents walked in just as Dad asked.  I protested
half heartedly, "That's embarrassing." I accepted his hug.  Man, it felt
good to be with my family again.  I briefly let myself be transported back
in time - back to when I was a small child encircled in the protective arms
of his father.  I stiffened a little and Dad let me go.

   "It's good to see you again Kyle." Dad said.  He looked me over.  "You
look like you're in good health.  I can see they have had you working out."

   "The trainers have me on a new workout plan.  You've seen the weight
room." I answered.

   I greeted Mr.  and Mrs.  Kring and my friend Jake.  We introduced
ourselves to the Taylors, the family that had arrived first.  The son,
Charles Jr., was a running back.  Everyone was surprised when we found out
we were all from Lancaster County.  Charles played for McCaskey, the high
school in Lancaster City.  McCaskey was in a different league than us since
the school was about 3-4 times larger than ours.

   The last family arrived as we finished introductions.  Adam Owens from
Cherry Hill, New Jersey showed up with his dad William.  Adam was a tall
guy - my height and probably outweighed me by 20-25 pounds.  He plays
linebacker.  The recruits and their families headed inside to see Coach
Burton.  I waited in the reception area for the other guides to arrive.  We
weren't expected to be needed for 15-20 minutes.

   Zack, Jay, Cuch, Jelani and I hung out while we waited for Coach Burton
to finish.  The recruits, their families, us guides and the coaches headed
for the Training Table for lunch with the team.  Coach Burton teased Dad
that if he had showed up alone he would have been invited to dine with the
team for free.  Since Andy was on an unofficial visit, Dad had to pay for
his own and Andy's lunch.  Dad didn't mind.  He only paid $10 for his lunch
and for Andy's lunch because I lived in the residence halls.

   Zack, Cuch and I headed for the Lasch Building to rejoin the team while
Jay and Jelani took the parents and recruits on an abbreviated tour of
campus.  They showed them the facilities in Pollock Commons and then showed
them a typical dorm room - Jay's.  It was cleaned and spruced up especially
for the parents.

   Crowds of fans were heading for the stadium dressed in every manner of
rain coat, poncho and overcoat.  The wind and rain was going to make
conditions miserable for fan and player alike.

   The recruits caught up with the team just before we went outside for
warm-ups.  No one stayed out any longer than necessary to prepare to play.
The temperature was in the low 40's.  Low gray clouds hung just above the
stadium.  The rain, driven by the swirling winds, continued.

   Coach Ferguson called me and my back-up return men over for a final
conference before the start of the game.  My orders were to ensure the
safety of the ball above everything else.  Take no chances.  Coach Ferguson
expected the result of the game would be determined by which team made the
fewest mistakes.  He wanted special teams to play mistake free.

   All seniors on the team were introduced to the crowd that day since it
was Senior Day and it was their last game at Beaver Stadium.  The crowd
cheered them as they were introduced one by one.  The crowd cheered loudest
for our captains, Bo Cherry, Aaron Morano and Antwaan Booker.

   Purdue won the coin toss and chose to receive the kickoff.  Coach Burton
was pleased to be able to choose the goal to defend.  He felt it was more
important to have the wind at your back at the end of the game.  He chose
to defend our west goal line.  I watched as Cooper Barnes' kick-off died in
the wind over the ten yard line.  Wind pushed it away from the returner. 
He was fortunate that the ball rolled into end zone.  We could easily have
tackled him inside their 5 yard line after he picked up the ball.

   Purdue liked to pass the ball normally.  Our scouting of them showed
they passed 60% of the plays.  The Boilermakers did run the ball
effectively when they tried in past games.  Their first three plays were
runs, netting them 11 yards and another series of downs.  Purdue thought
they could fool our secondary with a pass on first down.  Hah!  Their
receiver had to knock the ball out of Aaron's hands to prevent an
interception.  The QB's second down pass sailed in the wind, badly missing
any receiver.

   Coach Ferguson called me over to talk.  He warned me that I should line
up five yards deeper than usual and that it was perfectly acceptable to
signal for a fair catch.  The most important thing was to secure the ball
or to get out of the way and let the Boilermakers down the ball so we got
possession.  When I looked back at the field I saw our defensive linemen
getting up off of Purdue's runner.  They tried a draw.  Karol, Antwaan and
Mehmed gang tackled him for no gain.

   I lined up on our 24 yard line the way Coach Ferguson directed.  The
punt sailed high.  I backed up another five yards before I realized that it
was still over my head.  I bailed out and let Purdue down the ball where
ever they could.  We got possession at our 14 yard line.  Coach Ferguson
congratulated me when I got to the sideline for using good judgment on not
fielding the ball.

   Our coaches chose to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible in
the first quarter.  We made a couple first downs but couldn't score.  We
punted the ball back to Purdue.

   The first half continued the way it started.  Each team forced to rely
on the running game.  Each made some yards but couldn't sustain a drive. 
The Boilermakers tried passing more often than us.  Our first break came
when Cuch managed to intercept one of the passes and give us good field
position on Purdue's 41 yard line just before the end of the first quarter.

   Zack and the offense ran it up the middle for a play and then let the
clock run out on the first quarter.  Shawn O'Conner carried a couple times
off tackle.  The coaches decided to take a chance now that the wind was at
our back.  Purdue bit on the play action fake on the next play.  Zack
delivered the ball to Bo Cherry 12 yard down field.  Bo broke the first
tackle and was shoved out of bounds at the 12 yard line.  We couldn't punch
the ball into the end zone and had to accept a field goal.

   Cooper Barnes put the kickoff into the end zone after our score. 
Purdue's returner surprised us when he decided to run the ball out even
though his helper was frantically signaling for him to down the ball.  I
think some of our tacklers let up on the play.  He broke through the first
line of tacklers and streaked down the sideline past me.  Leslie Jones
finally caught him and shoved him out of bounds on our 37 yard line.

   Purdue ran the ball a few plays and then tried a pass.  The ball would
have been incomplete except that Vic Samovitz slipped after the QB launched
the ball down the field.  The receiver was able to adjust to the under
thrown ball without interference, make the catch and then head for the end
zone.  Yasin Clark wasn't able to catch him before he scored a touchdown.

   That was all the scoring for the first half.  We went into the locker
room down 7-3.  The coaches preached patience.  The team that won was going
to be the team that worked hardest and wanted the win the most.  Coach
Atkins challenged the defensive line to take control of the line of
scrimmage.  He planned to freely substitute back-ups to keep everyone fresh
throughout the game.

   Coach Valdez talked with our offensive line.  The group had been our
least experienced group on the team at the beginning of the year.  They had
only one senior and no starters from last year in their group.  They had
played together for ten games, improving steadily all season.  Coach Valdez
reminded them that all those Thursday film study and food sessions were
focused on games like today (film study to get smart and lots of catered
food to help them bulk up to play in the Big Ten).  Today was their
opportunity to win the game for the team.  The offensive line went back on
the field fired up to kick some ass.

   Coach Ferguson told me to keep doing what I did in the first half.  Keep
the ball safe and don't try to do too much.  I did what I was told,
secretly wishing that I could have an opportunity to do more for my team.

   I got my wish on the kick-off to start the second half.  The wind slowed
just as Purdue's kicker launched the ball down to me.  I drifted back a few
yards from my normal 5 yard line starting spot and caught the ball.  I
advanced up the field to get behind my blocking wedge.  Purdue's wedge
busters didn't let themselves get pushed aside.  I followed the wedge for a
couple seconds until I could see that a hole wasn't there.  I headed right
behind Josh Bruno's block on the right end of the wedge.  Tyler Madden had
pushed the gunner on the right past me.

   I shot past the mayhem on the wedge and sprinted for the right side
line. I had two tacklers in front of me and more close behind me.  I outran
the one tackler to the sideline.  I faked a cut back and got past the
second guy.  The kicker angled over to block me.  I straight armed him away
towards the sideline.  It slowed me just enough for the backside pursuit to
tackle me.  I went down in a shower of spray to the sloppy ground.  I
handed the ball to the referee, pleased to see him spot the ball on
Purdue's 47 yard line.  Zack gave me a pat on the butt and a "Way to go
Kyle." when we passed on the field.

   The offensive line met Coach Valdez's challenge.  They dominated
Purdue's defense, opening big holes for Shawn O'Conner, Wyatt Smith and my
roommate Damian Thompson to exploit.  Shawn and Wyatt concentrated on the
off-tackle and outside runs.  Damian was our pile driver.  He knocked over
or carried the tacklers for 6-7 yards on each carry.  Our offense needed
nine plays to drive the ball into the end zone.  Cooper Barnes managed to
kick the PAT into the wind to bring our lead to 10-7 Penn State.

   Purdue continued to try to run a mix of passes and running plays.  Our
defense wasn't impressed.  Antwaan and company kept the runners bottled up.
Aaron, Cuch, Vic and Yasin knocked all but one pass down.  The one
completion they had was on a screen pass.  Pete Klein tackled the receiver
for a loss of two yards.  Purdue punted the ball back to me.  I had to fair
catch it.

   The third quarter continued with both teams stalemated.  We traded
possession of the ball back and forth without either team scoring.  I had a
single punt return in the quarter for twelve yards.

   Steve Cobb had a bad punt about three minutes before the end of the
third quarter.  The ball went out of bounds on our 42 yard line.  The
Boilermakers played with urgency, knowing that they would lose the wind
advantage shortly.  They managed to push down to our 17 yard line.  They
tried one pass into the end zone with seconds left in the third quarter. 
No one caught it.  They chose to kick a field goal on third down so their
kicker could try the field goal with the wind at his back.  He made the
field goal to tie the game 10-10.

   Purdue still had a couple seconds left in the third quarter when they
kicked the ball back to me.  It sailed deep into the end zone.  Zack and
our offense took over on our 20 yard line.  Our runners and offensive line
were wearing down Purdue's defense.  Purdue's defensive line wasn't as big
or as deep as ours.  They hadn't substituted players throughout the game
the way we had.

   Our team pounded the ball at them.  It took nine straight running plays
to drive down to Purdue's 24 yard line.  Purdue tried a run blitz and
caught Shawn in the backfield for a loss.  Two incomplete passes followed.
Cooper Barnes attempted a 41 yard field goal with the wind at his back.  A
gust hung it up and pushed it wide to the left of the goal post.

   Our defense was fired up.  They stuffed three straight running plays by
Purdue's tailback.  Coach Ferguson had me line up on the midfield marker.
Purdue's punt hung up in the wind and fluttered down in front of me.  I
waved for a fair catch, advanced half a dozen yards and caught the ball. 
We had the ball on Purdue's 44 yard line.

   Shawn O'Conner was tired from carrying most of the offensive load in the
third quarter.  They sent in Damian Thompson to take his place.  Zack
handed the ball off to Damian for inside run after inside run.  Our bigger
offensive line finally wore out the Purdue line.  Damian's 4-5 yard runs
turned into 6-8 yard runs.  We drove down the field gaining increasingly
larger chunks of yardage.  At the 12 yard line Damian broke through the
line, flattened the middle linebacker, and dragged the free safety into the
end zone to score a touchdown.  Coop managed to send the PAT through the
uprights to bring the score to 17-10 Penn State.

   The game had four and a half minutes left, but we had broken Purdue's
spirit.  They tried a few runs and punted the ball back to us.  Wyatt,
Damian and Shawn took turns pounding Purdue's defense until time ran out on
the clock.

   It had been a tough, sloppy, physical game.  We had persevered and ended
up victorious.  You would have thought we had won the national championship
from the way my teammates and I whopped and hollered when the game was
over. This had been a satisfying win.

   We gathered to shake hands with the Purdue players quickly so we could
get inside to dry off and warm up.  The weather conditions had made this a
brutal day to spend 3 ½ hours outside.  My hot shower felt great.

   Damian was ecstatic at his performance in the game.  He had his first
collegiate touchdown.  The coaches trusted him with the ball when the game
was on the line.  Damian could have a chance to get a scholarship if he
could maintain this level of play.

   Reporters crowded around the usual lockers - Zack's, Antwaan's, Pete's,
Karol's, and Aaron's.  I was dressing when the recruits came in with Jay
and Jelani.  Charles and Adam hung back on the side watching the commotion
in a college locker room after a win.  Andy and Jake weren't bashful.  They
came right over to my locker.

   Jake announced, "That game sucked."

   "Excuse me?" I asked.

   "I expected to see the great Zack Hayes air it out some." Jake said. 
Jake gave me a wink.  He was only teasing.

   Andy added, "The weather was bad today."

   "The wind dictated things for us." I explained.

   "I couldn't believe how the wind pushed the punts and kicks around.  I
was glad I wasn't out there trying to catch'em." Andy said.

   "I didn't catch very many today.  My coach wanted me to play it
careful." I explained.  Jake, Andy and I continued talking about the game.
Charles and Adam, the other two recruits lost some of their bashfulness. 
They hesitantly joined in our conversation, offering their perspective on
the game.

   After a couple minutes Charles, asked, "You know that running back that
scored the last touchdown?"

   "Sure, that's Damian.  He's my roommate." I answered.

   "I thought he did a really good job in the fourth quarter.  Do you think
I could meet him?" Charles asked.

   "Sure." I answered.  I yelled down the row of lockers to my roomie. 
"Damian.  You got a fan here.  Do you mind talking with him?"

   "Sure.  Send him down." Damian replied.  I walked down the row with
Charles and introduced them.  Damian happily recounted his afternoon carry
by carry to an appreciative audience.

   Mr.  Montgomery, the reporter from the Lancaster evening newspaper,
stopped by to say hi the way he usually does.  He talked with Charles, Andy
and Jake for a few minutes about recruiting and what their plans were for
college.

   Zack needed a half hour to dress and satisfy all the reporters
surrounding him.  Our group found the parents hanging out with Coach
Schroeder and Coach Czarwinski in a meeting room.  The recruits and their
families were going over to Innovation Park to their hotel to dry off,
freshen up and change for dinner.  Coach Burton and his staff were taking
the parents to dinner.  Zack, Cuch and I would meet the recruits in an hour
at the Lasch Building.

   Cuch and I helped Zack and Aaron with party preparations while we waited
for the recruits to return.  Zack and I brought our cars over from long
term parking to the Lasch Building to meet the recruits.  The weather
wasn't fit for a long walk to a restaurant downtown tonight.

   The parents headed to dinner with the coaching staff in two university
vans.  We agreed on the State College Diner for our meal.  Zack and I
loaded up our recruits and friends.  Zack took Charles, Adam, Jay and Cuch.
Damian rode up front with me while Jake and Andy sat in the back.  I
followed Zack across campus.  We parked in the parking lot behind the
Hammond Building.  Nobody bothered you about parking in restricted parking
lots over the weekend.  We made our way across College Avenue to the Diner.

   The Diner put a few tables together so our whole group could sit
together.  Zack ordered Mozzarella Sticks, Onions Rings and a pound of
Cheese fries for appetizers.  Why not?  The university was paying for
everyone's dinner except Andy's.  Dad told me to put Andy's dinner on my
credit card.  He'd pay the bill to keep us legal with the NCAA recruiting
rules.

   Zack, Cuch, Damian and I talked about our experiences with Penn State.
We got to know Charles and Adam better.  Charles played for McCaskey High
School in Lancaster City.  He was their feature tailback.  McCaskey played
in a league of schools larger than ours.  Charles was shocked when Andy and
I told him both of us made the varsity squad as freshmen.  McCaskey's team
had around 50 members.  Normally they had 3-4 sophomores on varsity and the
rest of the team were juniors and seniors.  The Wolverines never could have
fielded a team like that.  We'd have been short about 15 people if we
didn't use younger guys on varsity.

   Adam played linebacker for the Camden Catholic Fighting Irish.  He knew
he was going to need to add a lot of weight to stay a linebacker in
college. He had visited Rutgers, Temple and Maryland this fall.  A couple
of the schools he visited suggested that he probably would be better
playing at strong safety in college.  That's probably why Coach Burton
included Cuch among the guides.  Cuch was our strong safety.  His position
is called the "hero" at Penn State.

   Zack and Jay spent most of dinner talking with about the Wolverines'
season.  The team was undefeated and the number one seed in the playoffs
for south central Pennsylvania.  Jay quizzed Jake about his experiences as
a quarterback.  Jay was surprised that Jake had only started for eleven
games in his career.

   Jay asked, "How in the hell did you get good enough to put up the
numbers you have this season?  Did Zack help you learn the position?"

   Jake looked a little embarrassed at the questions.  "Sort of, but not
really.  Zack helped me get started.  I owe a lot more to Kyle, Ed and
Jeremy.  I worked with Zack an afternoon a week for a couple months when I
was in eighth grade.  I worked with the other guys for three full years."
Jake went on to explain about the winter and spring training sessions my
best friend Ed Fritz, Jeremy North and I ran in the winter and spring each
season.  Jake let slip that I had played quarterback too.

   Jay exclaimed, "Kyle?  A quarterback?  You're kidding right?"

   I answered, "No.  I was the #3 QB on the team for two seasons.  I was
just there for emergencies."

   "Did you ever get in a game?" Jay asked.

   I explained, "Once.  Ed was sick and Jake got a concussion on a sack.  I
played for one quarter.  I wasn't anything special.  I was 4 for 7 for 67
yards, a touchdown and no interceptions."

   "That doesn't sound too bad." Jay said.

   Andy added, "Kyle's being modest.  You've got what?  8 touchdowns
passing in high school, I think."

   I said, "It wasn't that big a deal.  Most of them were on a reverse
option play our team had."

   "It sounds pretty impressive.  Why don't we run that play Zack?" Jay
said.

   Zack answered, "I've been trying to convince Coach Schroeder to do
that."

   Our dinners arrived so all of us concentrated on our food for awhile. 
The conversation flowed as we ate our meals.  Most of us ordered the
burgers that the Diner was noted for - a ½ pound of meat on a huge roll. 
They were fabulous.  Zack, Cuch, Jay, Damian and I talked about all the
things we liked about playing at Penn State.  The recruits seemed to enjoy
dinner.  We finished dinner by getting grilled stickies for everyone.

   We found the rain had stopped when we came outside.  Cuch, Jay and
Damian took the recruits on a tour of the eastern part of the campus while
Zack and I took our cars back to the Nittany Apartments.  We were going to
meet the recruits at Zack's apartment.

   Zack and Evan made sure the refrigerator and bar was well stocked with
drinks.  Jake Washington had music playing in the living room.  Aaron and
Tania laid out a fine spread of snacks for our friends.

   Cuch, Jay and Damian showed up with our prospects.  Billy Robinson
hooked up with the group too.  Damian and Billy had become best friends in
the past couple months.  I envied Damian's friendship with Billy.  I had no
one here that was as close as Ed and I had been growing up.

   Zack warned the recruits that one beer was their limit of the evening.
He didn't want anyone getting in trouble with their parents when the got
back to the hotel.

   Friends and teammates started arriving around 8 pm.  Karol Ziska and
Cuch entertained Adam Owens.  Jay and Zack entertained Jake Kring.  Damian
introduced Charles to Shawn O'Conner, Vlad Lazlo and Wyatt Smith.  I took
Andy around to meet Bo Cherry, Aidan Nagy, Anders Voight and some of the
other receivers on our team.

   Anders quizzed Andy about how his season was going.  Anders asked, "What
kind of record have you got this year Andy?"

   Andy said, "77 catches for 1605 yards with 27 touchdowns.  Doesn't that
beat your record last year Kyle?" Andy grinned at me.

   I replied, "I think I had 74 catches for 1643 yards.  I scored 27
touchdowns in the regular season."

   Bo said, "That's pretty much a wash for receiving.  Kyle's racked up a
lot of yards on returns.  Do you do returns too Andy?"

   "NJust punts now.  I did both my first two years on varsity." Andy
looked at me and asked, "How many yards you have this season?"

   "I haven't seen my stats for today.  I think with today's game I should
be close to 2000 yards for the season." I answered.

   Anders said, "Imagine what it would be like to have both of you here
next season.  We'd have a hell of an offense."

   Andy explained, "I'm only a junior in high school.  I can't play college
ball next season.  This is an unofficial visit for me."

   Christian and Bev joined our little group.  Christian and Andy
entertained the guys talking about the rivalry between Central and the
Wolverines over the past few years.  I circulated around the apartment to
see how the other recruits were doing.

   Zack, Jay, and Jake were flirting with the bevy of babes that Zack
attracted.  Charles, Shawn and Damian were talking about some of the finer
points of blocking.  I moved on to check out how Adam was.  He, Cuch, Pete
and Pete's girlfriend Haley were keeping Adam entertained.

   I was watching for Johara Sofay.  She wanted to take me to bed with her
sometime.  I wasn't ready three weeks ago when I was first available.  The
break up with Penny was too fresh then.  I still hurt from the break up,
but I was willing to sleep with her to help lessen the pain from losing my
long-time girlfriend.  I couldn't find Johara so I headed to the kitchen
for another can of Pepsi.

   I found Johara when I came out of the kitchen.  She was pressed up
against the back of my brother, her arms wrapped around him.  As I
approached them from behind., Johara cooed in Andy's ear, "Hi big guy.  You
haven't gotten back with your ex-girlfriend have you?"

   Andy answered, "Girlfriend?  No."

   "Good!  I'd like to take you upstairs." She slid her hand down to Andy's
waist.  Andy shuddered as Johara apparently grasped his cock.  "I'd like
you to fuck me with this big gun of yours."

   "Ummmm....  Uh, yeah!" Andy stammered.  I circled around to the side of
the couple and cleared my throat.  Andy turned to face the temptress.

   "You're not Kyle." Johara exclaimed.

   I explained, "Johara, I see you've met my brother Andy." Johara stared
at me and then back at Andy.  She let go of Andy's hardness.  "Andy, this
is Johara Safay, a friend of mine."

   "It's nice to meet you." Andy stammered.  Andy's erection bulged out the
front of his pants.  Johara definitely had his motor running.  She
carefully appraised Andy before looking back at me.

   I knew Johara had a thing for younger guys.  Andy fit the bill exactly
for some fun tonight.  Andy's opportunities to sleep with a girl were few
and far between back home since he got Crystal pregnant with the twins a
year ago.  Johara silently asked permission to delay our rejoining until
another weekend.  I smiled and nodded yes to her unspoken question.

   Johara put her hand on Andy's cheek.  "Do you want to go upstairs with
me Andy?  I think we could have some fun together tonight."

   "Umm... yeah....  Yeah!" Andy stammered.

   "Don't forget your curfew tonight bro.  I have to take you and the other
recruits back to the hotel at a quarter to twelve." I explained.

   "I'll have him ready to go then Kyle.  Don't worry." Johara promised.

   I leaned in close to Andy and whispered, "Do you have protection?" Andy
nodded his head no.  I pulled two of my three condoms out of my pocket and
slipped them to my brother.  "Have fun." Andy grinned.

   Johara linked arms with my brother and dragged him over to Zack's crowd.
She whispered into Zack's ear, got a nod yes and then she dragged Andy
upstairs to enjoy some Lebanese charms.

   I sat down on the couch with Anders.  Anders shook his head and said,
"Damn!  That's a hell of a way to be recruited.  Did that ever happen to
you?"

   I smiled.  "Just one time in five visits.  It was here at Penn State and
the girl was Johara."

   Anders and I talked for a few minutes about our experiences with Johara.
He had taken her to bed more than once.  Anders commented, "I hope your
brother remembered condoms.  You know how she likes to do it bareback."

   I explained about Andy getting Crystal pregnant last year and being the
father of twin boys.  I explained, "Andy's cock doesn't come out of his
pants anymore without a condom on it.  He learned his lesson."

   "That's a good lesson to have learned." Anders scanned around the room.
"You and I better mingle or all we get tonight are the palms of our hands."
Anders stood up.

   "I know what you mean.  That's probably all I'll get.  I'm the
designated driver for the recruits."

   "Tough luck Kyle.  I'll catch you later." Anders said.  He headed off to
join a knot of good looking girls across the room.

   I headed over to join Zack's congregation of guys and good looking
girls. We talked and flirted with each other.  We passed the time
pleasantly.  Eventually Zack made his choice of bedmate for the evening. 
He chose Brianna Peterson.  Zack and Brianna stopped by and talked to Evan
before they disappeared to his bedroom in the back on the first floor.

   Kimberly Frey asked, "Doesn't anyone want another drink?  I'm going to
the kitchen." She took requests from the others in our group.  Kimberly
grabbed me as she left.  "I can use a hand Kyle." I went willingly.

   When we got to the kitchen Kimberly asked, "What's the story on Jake? 
Maria thinks he's cute." I gave Kimberly a brief outline of Jake's history.
Kimberly said, "No.  Maria wants to know if the kid is any good in bed."

   "In bed?  I wouldn't know.  I've never gone to bed with him." I grinned
at my teasing.

   "No.  What kind of reputation does he have in high school?  Does he have
a clue how to satisfy a girl?"

   I got serious.  "Jake doesn't have a reputation among the girls in
school.  He dated the same girl from ninth grade until I graduated last
spring."

   "That doesn't answer my question.  How is he in bed?"

   "All I can say is that his girlfriend seemed to enjoy her time with him.
Jake and Morgan were in my group of friends that went on coed camping
trips. From the sounds coming from their tent at night, Morgan seemed to
enjoy being with Jake."

   "Does he know about your... um, techniques?"

   "The first trip together was a ten day canoe trip in Canada.  We guys
did talk about techniques around the campfire.  I know the girls on the
trip compared notes.  Morgan was satisfied so I'm sure Jake is quite
competent in bed."

   "That'll do for Maria." Kimberly replied.  We gathered up the requested
drinks and rejoined our circle of friends.  I noticed Kimberly give Maria a
nod.  Maria became noticeably more affectionate towards Jake.  I also
noticed Jay and Rachel Moore had disappeared.  After some whispering and a
little light kissing Maria led Jake off to get his bell rung.

   Kimberly cuddled up to me.  "What do you think Kyle?  Do you want to
have some fun tonight?"

   I gave her a quick kiss.  "I'd love that but I have to drive the
recruits back to their hotel in 45 minutes."

   "We could find a room for a quick one now and then get together again
when you are done." Kimberly gave me a hard kiss with some tongue.  I
wrapped my arms around her as we continued the deep kiss.

   When we finally broke for a breath I said, "Yes.  I'd like that."

   We hurried to the back bedrooms.  I knew Jake Kring and Maria had one of
the bedrooms.  I could hear Zack and Briana in Evan's room.  We hurried
upstairs.  I heard the sound of my brother fucking as soon as we crested
the stairs.  I'd heard that sound a hundred times before back home through
the thin wall that separated Andy's bedroom from mine.  He and Johara were
in Zack's bedroom.

   To our immense disappointment we found that Aaron and Tania were in
Aaron's bedroom.  Kimberly and I leaned against the wall beside the
bathroom door making out passionately.  Hopefully one of the rooms would
free up soon and we could finish what we were starting.

   Kissing escalated to us feeling up each other.  We grinned to each other
when we overheard Andy grunt as he came in Johara.  Unfortunately Johara
quickly got Andy's motor running again.  They went for round two while
Kimberly and I steamed in the hallway.  We could hear Aaron patiently
making love to his long-time girlfriend.

   I glanced down at my watch.  "Shit!  We only have twenty minutes left."
I grumbled.

   "Bathroom!" Kimberly groaned as she pushed me in the door.  "I can't
wait until you get back."

   Kimberly stripped while I closed and locked the door.  Kimberly pulled
down my pants and boxers while I took my shirt off.  I kicked my sneakers
off and stepped out of the pile of clothes at my feet.

   I backed Kimberly up to the vanity and kissed her hard.  She wrapped her
arms around me and pulled me against her naked body.  Our tongues dueled as
we caressed each other's bodies.  Kimberly was anxious to take advantage of
the little time we had left.  She pushed me away and grabbed my hard cock.

   "I'm ready Kyle." Kimberly murmured lustily.

   "Let's not hurry." I suggested.  I pushed Kimberly back against the
vanity and kneeled between her outspread legs.  I pried Kimberly's outer
labia apart, revealing her slippery pink inner lips.  I twirled my tongue
around the rim to her love hole and then licked up her slot to her clit.  I
worked my tongue up and down.  Kimberly ran her hands through my hair as
she moaned and sighed.

   The bathroom was too small for us to lie down while we had intercourse.
I knew from past experience I couldn't bring Kimberly to orgasm with just
plain screwing.  I wanted to get her worked up now so she'd enjoy our
coupling.  I spent a couple minutes using my tongue to bathe her womanhood.

   When Kimberly's breathing got ragged, I slipped one finger into her
pussy while I diddled her clitoris.  Her hole was dripping.  I slipped a
second finger into Kim, curled both fingers and probed for her G-spot. 
Kimberly gasped when I found it a few seconds later.  I rubbed it while I
licked around her clitoris.  Kimberly quivered for a few seconds.  I sucked
on the tip of her clitoris.

   Kimberly screeched, "Aaaeeeeiiii..." Her pussy throbbed around my
fingers.  Her sweet juices poured out.  I lapped some juices up.  Kimberly
groaned and pushed my head away.  "Ohhhh....  Too....  Much... unnngh..."

   I pulled away and watched Kimberly convulse as her orgasm shook her to
the core.  I pulled a condom from my pocket and slipped it over my erection
while Kimberly slowly recovered her senses.

   I stood and hugged Kimberly to my body while she recovered.  I gave her
gentle kisses on the neck and cheek.  After a bit Kimberly started
returning the kisses.  I asked, "Are your ready to get stuffed with my
manhood?"

   "Fuck yeah!" Kimberly replied eagerly.

   "How do you want to do this?"

   "Why don't you take me from the back Kyle?"

   Kimberly turned around to face the mirror.  She leaned over the vanity
counter and placed on foot on the toilet lid to give me better access.  She
pushed her ass outward towards me, inviting me to slip in her moist pussy.
I lined up and sank my sheath covered cock quickly into her hot tunnel.

   I began pumping my cock in and out of Kimberly's sweet pussy.  She
stared at us in the mirror.  I watched too.  I'd never seen myself fucking
before.  It was a huge turn on!  Her tits swayed back and forth as I
thrust. They jiggled every time I hit bottom.

   Kimberly's face was a mix of agitation and expectation.  My hands were
on her hips to steady her while I humped her.

   This was going to be my first cum in a couple days.  The dulling of the
sensation caused by the condom didn't slow my orgasm.  Fortunately Kimberly
reached down and began to play with her clit while we fucked.  Her fingers,
her orgasm a few minutes ago combined with the stimulation from my cock was
enough to set her off again.

   Kimberly groaned and came hard.  Her pussy clenched around my hard rod.
I pushed in once and pulled part way out.  The pulsing from her pussy was
too much for me.  I pushed in hard and grunted.  My jism spewed from my
cock.  Pulse after pulse until I drained myself into the piece of latex
protecting Kimberly and me.  I collapsed on her back when I was spent.

   Kimberly pushed me off her back.  I backed up and leaned against the
door while I recovered.  Kimberly leaned on the sink while she came down
from her sexual high.  After about thirty seconds my breathing returned
close to normal.  I pulled the used condom off my limp cock, knotted it and
threw it in the trash can.

   I glanced at my watch.  It was a quarter to twelve now.  "I got to run
Kim.  Do you still want to get together again after I take the recruits
back to the hotel?"

   "I'd love that Kyle.  I hope this was just a warm up for tonight."

   "I'd like that." I answered.  I dressed quickly.  Kimberly was half
dressed when I was ready to go.  I said, "I hate to screw and run like
this. I'll see you in twenty or thirty minutes."

   "I'll be waiting.  I'll see if I can get us a bedroom so we don't have
to hurry."

   I added, "I'll stop by my room on the way back and pick up more condoms.
I gave a couple to my brother.  The one we just used was my last one I had
with me."

   "You don't have to do that Kyle.  I'm on the pill."

   "I like to be extra safe Kim."

   Kimberly offered, "I'll get more from Zack.  I'm sure he'd loan us some.
Come straight back here.  I want you as soon as possible."

   "You got it babe." I answered.  Andy and Johara were finished.  Zack's
bedroom door was hanging open.  I hurried downstairs to find my charges. 
Charles, Adam, Andy and Jake were all hanging out at the table of snacks.
The guys followed me out to my car.  Andy, Jake and Adam squeezed into the
back seat of my VW Golf.  Charles, the largest of the four, took shotgun. I
hurried back to the hotel.

   All the guys said they had a fun evening.  Jake was kind of zoned out,
but with a permanent smile on his face.  Andy didn't have much to say.  He
looked like Johara had turned him six ways to Sunday.  I dropped the kids
off in front of the hotel.  I said, "See you guys at breakfast tomorrow.

   Charles, Adam and Jake headed inside.  Andy hung by my car.  He asked,
"Are you going back to the party?"

   "Yeah.  I have a hot date.  Umm... Actually I'm going to finish a hot
date."

   Andy said, "That Johara is really hot.  Have you ever done her?"

   "Yes, two years ago when I came for my unofficial visit." I answered.

   "I thought you had from the way she talked with you."

   I asked, "You did use the condoms right?"

   "Of course!  I'm not an idiot." Andy insisted.

   "She isn't on the pill.  It's good you did.  She enjoys her sex
dangerous."

   "Are you kidding?  That's really fucked up.  I'd never want to risk that
again."

   I asked, "I guess you'd feel that way since you got Crystal pregnant."

   "That's probably the part you won't understand.  I'm not sorry I got her
pregnant anymore."

   "Huh?"

   "I wouldn't have Noah and Connor if Crystal and I didn't have the
accident.  I understand what Mom and Dad say about us.  I love my boys
unconditionally.  I wouldn't change anything that happened."

   "Wow" I answered.

   "I don't want more kids now.  Not a chance.  I just wouldn't change
anything that gave me my sons."

   "I guess." I answered.

   "You'll understand someday when you have your own kids Kyle."

   "Some day.  I've got to run Andy.  See you at breakfast." Andy waved to
me as I pulled away from the hotel entrance.  I parked my car in the East
Parking Deck and hurried back to Zack's apartment.

   Kimberly answered the door when I knocked.  She had her coat on.  She
turned me around when I started in the door.

   "Where are we going?  Your room?" I asked.

   "No.  You have a really sweet roommate.  Damian is going to crash at his
friend's room tonight so we can have some privacy."

   "Cool." I declared.  The two of us hurried back to Hartranft Hall.  We
took the steps to get to my room faster.  We were too impatient to wait for
an elevator.

   I closed the curtains, turned on a desk light and turned off the
overhead light to improve the mood of the lighting in the room.  We
stripped quickly.  We lay down on my bed and made out for a bit to get back
in the spirit of the evening.

   I slipped a condom on my hard seven incher when Kimberly said she was
ready for more action.  We decided some deep penetration would be fun so I
hoisted Kimberly's ankles on my shoulders, lined up and speared her with my
phallus.  Kimberly grunted when my cock head bumped into her cervix.

   I started with a slow rhythm, pumping my cock in and out of my... my....
not lover... um, my companion?  I humped in and tried to grind on her clit
as we fucked.  I dismissed my momentary thought about not loving Kimberly.
She was a nice girl and a damn good fuck.  That was enough tonight.

   The latex sheath over my cock and the fact that I came earlier in the
night allowed me to continuing thrusting a long time.  I managed to bring
Kim to a couple orgasms before I orgasmed.  When the feeling came I thrust
hard into Kimberly's pussy, held my cock tight against her cervix and
spewed another load of cum into the condom.  I collapsed onto Kimberly,
rolled us on our sides and held her while I recovered.

   We cuddled for a few minutes.  Kimberly glanced up at my clock.  It was
12:45 in the morning.  She said, "Maybe I should go now.  It's getting
late."
"You can if you want.  You can spend the night with me.  I'd like that."

I answered.

   "You're sweet Kyle.  You know just the right thing to say to a girl.  I
accept your invitation to spend the night." Kimberly answered.  I let her
borrow my robe to go to the bathroom to clean up.  I did the same when she
came back to my room.  The two of us spooned together on my bed and fell
into a delightful sleep.

   Kimberly woke me accidentally when she had to go to the bathroom early
in the morning.  I thought about how great it felt when I was screwing her
last night.  I had a raging hard-on when she came back to bed.  Kimberly
spooned with me when she climbed back in bed.  She backed into my erection
immediately.

   Kimberly whispered to me, "You're excited again.  Do you want another
screw?"

   "I wouldn't complain." I answered.  Kimberly rolled over to face me.  We
started kissing.  Passions escalated within a few minutes.  I played with
her soft breasts.  I slipped a hand down to her womanhood after a couple
minutes and gradually worked her to readiness.

   Kimberly whispered, "I'm ready Kyle.  Do you want on top?"

   "Let's do this on our sides.  It's a nice slow way to share our bodies."
I answered.  I grabbed a condom from my bolster and sheathed my cock. 
Kimberly rolled on her side facing away from me.  I spooned with Kim.  She
propped one leg up and helped me position my cock at her entrance.  I
slowly thrust into her.  I wrapped my arms around Kim and slowly thrust my
cock in and withdrew.  We coupled for probably ten minutes or so.  Kimberly
slipped a hand down between her legs to play with her clitoris.  She
squealed and came between the stimulation from my cock and from her finger
on her clit.

   The feeling of her pussy spasming and clenching around my cock pushed me
past the edge.  I pressed myself deep into Kim and blasted a load of cum
into the rubber covering my cock.  I held Kimberly against my body and
nuzzled her neck.  I whispered to her how wonderful she was.

   My cock slowly deflated.  After a couple minutes I got up to clean up. I
removed the used condom and threw it away.  I wiped myself off and climbed
back in bed with Kimberly.  We cuddled together.  We were asleep again
after a few minutes.

   The harsh sound of my alarm woke us at 8 o'clock.  Kimberly groggily
asked, "Why so early?" as I climbed over her get out of bed.

   "I have to meet the recruits and coaches for breakfast this morning. 
The recruits are working out today."

   "Oh."

   "You can stay as long as you would like.  No one is going to disturb
you. I'm going to get a shower before I leave." I threw on my robe and
headed across the hall to get a shower.

   Kimberly was getting dressed when I got back to my room.  She explained,
"I'm going to head back to my room Kyle.  Thanks for a fun night.  You're
really sweet."

   I gave her a hug and a kiss.  "I enjoyed the evening too.  I hope we get
to do this again some time." Kimberly returned the kiss and then she left.
I finished dressing and headed out for the Lasch Building.

   I met Jay Nicholson in the hall at the elevator.  I asked, "You going to
breakfast with the recruits too?"

   "Yeah.  Coach Burton always invites me to thank me for helping with the
recruits on Saturday during the game.  I've made most of the breakfasts."

   "Are you helping with the workouts too?"

   "Yeah." Jay confirmed.

   We walked over to the Lasch Building together.  We ran into Zack, Aaron,
Jelani and Glenn Korbel outside the Lasch Building.  Dermot McMillan (our
#2 tight end), Les Jones, and Cuch met us there.  Two university vans
pulled up a couple minutes later.  We joined the coaches for the short ride
over to the Penn Stater Hotel.

   We had breakfast at the Gardens Restaurant in the hotel.  I made sure I
ended up sitting with Dad and Andy.  Coach Adams joined us at our end of
the long table.  The Krings sat beside us with Coach Burton and Coach
Schroeder on the other side of them.

   The restaurant had a nice hot and cold buffet table for us.  I took
eggs, sausage, home fries and French toast for breakfast.  Coach Burton
took a look at my big plate of food and asked, "Are you thinking of
becoming a tight end next year Kyle?"

   "No coach.  I need this to keep my energy up between my workout
yesterday and working out with these guys this morning." I explained.

   "Enjoy eating like that while you can Kyle.  You won't be able to do
that when you get older." Coach Burton said.  I looked over his plate with
a helping of fruit, a piece of toast and a small helping of eggs.  That
amount of food wouldn't satisfy me for fifteen minutes, much less an entire
morning.  Coach Burton chuckled and said, "Enjoy your breakfast Kyle." as I
headed back to my seat.

   Andy and Jake excitedly filled me in on details of the Wolverines'
season that hadn't made the papers or Andy's e-mails.  Their team was
ranked #1 in the playoff seeding for the district.  They faced #16 Daniel
Boone High School this coming Friday night.

   The recruits, the parents, the coaches, my teammates and I loaded up in
two big vans and headed back to the Lasch Building after breakfast.  The
recruits changed into proper clothes for the workout with us in our locker
room.  The workout was indoors in Holuba Hall.

   The guys were timed in the 40 first.  Andy ran a very respectable 4.37
seconds.  Charles ran a 4.49 second 40.  Jake did it in 4.52 seconds.  Adam
needed 4.65 seconds to complete the run.

   Coach Burton split us up so Zack Hayes would throw to my brother while
Aaron covered him.  Jake was teamed up with me while Les Jones covered me.
Jay was going to throw to Charles while Cuch covered him.  Glenn threw to
Dermot while Adam tried to cover him.

   Coach Peterson, our quarterbacks coach, directed Jake's workout.  Coach
Peterson assigned Jelani to snap the ball to Jake since he was here and
didn't have any other role in the workout.

   Jake, Jelani and I gathered to discuss how to beat Les Jones during the
passing drill.  Jake asked me, "What can you tell me about this d-back
Coach?" Jake was referring to me by my high school nickname.  Most of my
high school teammates called me `Coach.'

   "Don't call me that here Jake.  I haven't earned it." I explained.

   "Sorry Kyle." Jake said.

   "Here are some things you need to know about Les, the cornerback who is
going to cover me.  We can't beat him with speed.  He's just as fast as me.
If you put the ball in the right place you'll be OK.  Les isn't much of a
threat to make an interception."

   Jelani snorted.  "Les can't catch for shit!"

   I continued, "Our timing has to be right.  Les won't let me uncovered
for more than a moment or two.  If you fire the ball in on time or if you
put it high will be the best chance for a completion.  I have a 6 inch
height advantage on him and I can out-jump him too.  I'll get the ball if
it's a jump ball."

   "OK" Jake said.  Coach Peterson called the first pass route.

   We spent ten or fifteen minutes on routes that Coach Peterson called for
us.  Jake did well, from my perspective.  Jake completed more passes than
he missed, probably 2/3 of them.  Jake's arm was stronger than I remembered
from last season.  The ball came in quicker and was dead on target.  Jake
carried himself differently too.  He seemed more decisive, sure of himself
than last year.

   I asked Coach Peterson, "Could we try some pass routes from our high
school?  Jake's best at timing routes.  It would give you a better idea of
what he can do."

   Coach answered, "Sure, show us that."

   It took Jake a couple throws for us to get in sync again.  After that
Jake and I connected on nine of ten passes.  We left Les in the dust.  I
was pleased that I could help Jake show my coaches just what he was capable
of doing.

   I didn't realize that the other recruits had finished their workouts
before Jake.  They were gathered along the sideline watching us perform. 
Coach Peterson finally called a halt to the workout.  He had seen enough.
The coaches had everyone go back to the locker room to clean up and change
into regular clothes.

   Jelani tapped me on the shoulder as we were walking back to the locker
room.  "That was good what you did for that kid.  You gave him a quick
accurate description of Jones' abilities.  You made the kid look good for
Coach Peterson."

   "Thanks." I answered.

   Jelani continued, "I'm sorry for gettin' in your face last month.  I
thought you was one of them joker types.  Didn't take nothin' serious about
the game."

   I remembered when he hoisted me up by my collar and screamed at me for
joking around during practice.  It wasn't something I'd forget.  I
answered, "It's OK Jelani.  I got the message that football is important
business around here."

   "I thought you were just the QB's pet.  You fucked up in the game
against Ohio State.  I saw how much time you spent after that with Reynolds
studying plays since then.  You ain't gotten a swelled head from all the
press you been getting.' That's good."

   "I have so much to learn.  I'm just trying to do what I can to help out
Jelani."

   "Keep it up kid.  You'll do OK eventually."

   "Thanks, I appreciate you telling me this Jelani." I said.

   "My friends call me JT." Jelani explained.

   "JT, my friends call me Kyle."

   "Kyle it is." JT answered.

   We walked back to the locker room together.  It felt good that some of
the older players were starting to accept me.  We showed the recruits
around the locker room after we changed.  We showed off our weight room
too.

   Coach Burton, Coach Schroeder and Coach C brought the recruits and the
parents to the player's lounge to wait for their turn for a personal
interview.  Zack, JT, Aaron, Cuch, Les and Glenn took off.  Jay and I hung
out with the recruits at the player's lounge.

   Andy ended up taking on Jay in pool.  Dad saw his opportunity to talk
with me alone.  We moved down to the far end of the room where we had a
little privacy.

   Dad asked, "Do you know when you will be home for Thanksgiving?"

   I explained, "I'm not sure.  My last class ends at 2:15 on Wednesday
afternoon.  Normally I meet with my math tutor after that.  I'm not sure if
he will be around that day or if he is heading home earlier.  I'll let you
know after I see Kevin tomorrow afternoon."

   "How is Math 110 going?" Dad asked.  I had kept in touch with Mom and
Dad during the term.  They knew about my flunking the mid-term last month.

   "I'm doing better.  I got an 82 on the quiz last week.  I expect I'll
pass the course with Kevin Lee's help."

   "That's good.  How are the rest of your classes going?" Dad asked.  I
proceeded to give him the run down on all my classes.  I was upbeat about
them.  I expected to get A's or B's in all the rest.

   Dad asked, "Have you talked with Penny since you broke up?"

   "No, Will tells me she won't take my calls."

   "How are you handling the break-up?"

   "I'm managing." I answered simply.

   "I wish you didn't have to deal with a long distance relationship.  It's
difficult under the best of circumstances.  You and Penny didn't face the
best of circumstances."

   "I know.  How did you and Mom do it?  Weren't the two of you dating when
you were a freshman here?"

   Dad responded, "We were.  Your mother and I were more fortunate than you
and Penny.  I managed to bum a ride home at least once a month to see her
during the year."

   "That would have helped if Penny and I could have done that." I
answered.

   The Krings came out from their meeting with Coach Burton before Dad and
I could finish talking about my break up with Penny.  Dad and Andy went in
to see Coach Burton to discuss Andy's potential at Penn State.

   I went over to talk with Jake before he left.  I asked, "How did things
go Jake?"

   "Not as well as I hoped.  They didn't offer me a scholarship." Jake
explained.

   "They didn't?"

   "No.  They are willing to take me next fall as a preferred walk-on. 
It's probably just as well.  Your team has too many guys stacked up at
quarterback for the time when Zack graduates.  You have Jason Nicholson
red-shirted, Winfield Brinton has committed to coming here.  It would be a
hell of a jam up with three of us trying to take the starting spot."

   I exclaimed, "Chip Brinton's committed to coming here?  I hadn't heard
that officially."

   "It was in the Saturday morning paper I read on the way up here
yesterday.  He announced it Friday night after his last regular season
game."

   "Cool!" I realized that wasn't the proper response to Jake.  "Sorry, I
would have liked it if you came here too.  Did Coach Burton tell you why
they didn't offer you a scholarship?"

   "Don't apologize Kyle.  I know Brinton's a good quarterback.  You have
every right to be excited that he chose Penn State." Jake paused a couple
seconds.  "Coach Burton was concerned about my height.  He is looking for a
taller quarterback." Jake explained.

   Jake is a hair short of 5'-11" tall.  Only a football coach would call
Jake short.  I understood Coach's thinking.  Our shortest offensive lineman
was 6'-2".  Most were taller than me.  Jake would have more trouble than
Jay (6'-2") or Chip (6'-1") seeing over the o-line to find targets
downfield.

   I asked, "Do you have any scholarship offers?"

   "Yes.  I have offers from Temple and Syracuse.  I'm going to visit
Pittsburgh a couple weeks." Jake explained.

   I said, "I guess you aren't interested in being a walk-on here?"

   "No.  I spent enough time on the bench waiting for Ed to graduate.  I
want to find a school where I can play sooner."

   "I understand.  Good luck at that.  Good luck in the playoffs next
weekend." I said.

   "Thanks Kyle.  Are you planning to come home to see our playoff game?  I
remember some of the older guys have come back to visit in previous years."

   "Not next weekend.  I have a game at Michigan State.  I'll be there
Thanksgiving weekend if you are still in the playoffs."

   "Hah!  Don't worry, we'll still be playing football two weeks from now.
I am confident that we're going to win the state championship game in
December." Jake said.

   "Good luck with that.  I'll see you in two weeks." I promised.

   Jake and his parents said good bye and headed back to Lancaster County.
I hung out with Jay until Andy and Dad were finished with their meeting. 
Dad asked, "Jason, Kyle - would you like to go to lunch downtown with Andy
and me?  My treat."

   "Sure." "That's sounds good." Jay and I answered quickly.

   Dad asked, "Do you think your new roommate would like to come too Kyle?"

   It was 11:30.  Damian was probably up by now.  "I'll call him and see if
he's interested Dad."

   I called Damian.  He was up and was extremely interested in a meal away
from Pollock Commons.  Damian met us as we walked by Hartranft Hall.  Dad
took us to the Waffle House on College Avenue.  The restaurant was mobbed.
Dad and Andy got a chance to get to know two of my closest college friends
while we waited a half hour to get seated.

   I had immense waffles covered with fruit and whipped cream.  They were
delicious.  We spent an hour together enjoying our Sunday brunch.  Jay and
Andy had a good talk about a few things Andy could do to improve his pass
receiving skills.  Dad seemed to enjoy talking with my friends.  Dad and
Andy walked back to our dorm with Damian, Jay and me when brunch was over.
Damian and Jay headed upstairs immediately when we got to Hartranft Hall.

   Dad insisted on a hug before he left.  I told them, "I'll see you in ten
days.  Andy, make sure you kick Daniel Boone's butt in the playoffs next
Friday night." I waved good bye to them as they walked across the quad to
the Lasch Building and Dad's car.

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   The final week of the Big Ten season was going to be interesting.  11-0
Michigan was still ranked #1 in the nation, and of course, #1 in our
conference.  10-1 Ohio State was #2 in the conference but had to play
Michigan on Saturday.  We were ranked #3 in our conference with our 9-2
record.  We were going to play the 4-7 Michigan State Spartans.

   The coaches didn't want us to pay attention to the bowl game situation.
Of course we ignored that.  My teammates and I assumed we would beat
Michigan State and end up 10-2 for the season.  If Michigan beat Ohio
State, they certainly would go to the BCS Championship Game.  We would be
tied with Ohio State and would get the Rose Bowl invitation since our
record was the same as theirs and we beat them head to head.

   If Ohio State won, things wouldn't look nearly as good.  Ohio State
would get the Rose Bowl, Michigan would get the Capital One Bowl and we'd
end up at the Outback Bowl.  The Outback Bowl wouldn't be horrible.  We'd
spend Christmas and New Year's in Florida.  Our team would get $3 million
instead of $17 million for the game.

   The coaches kept our practices light during the week.  We concentrated
on mental preparations more than physical preparations.  Every player had
assorted aches, pains and bruises accumulated during the first eleven
games. We were feeling loose, confident and more healed by the time we
finished up Thursday's practice.

   Kelly O'Keefe and Chelsea Walters were going to e-mail me my homework
assignments and their notes from History and EDPSY respectively.  I was
indebted to those two girls.  I planned to take each out for a thank you
dinner when the season was done and I had a little more free time.

   Our team left State College Friday morning barely ahead of a winter
storm.  The weather forecaster predicted we'd have 4-6 inches of snow over
the weekend.  The storm had grazed East Lansing on its way east to
Pennsylvania.  Two hours later I looked out as our flight descended into
the Capital City Airport and saw a light coating of snow on the ground. 
Three buses hauled our team over to the Marriott at University Place.  Our
hotel was right on the edge of the campus.

   We had dinner at the hotel and spent the evening studying the game plan
for the next day.  The TV people didn't consider our game to be an
important one, so we were playing the Spartans at noon on Saturday.  Coach
Burton ordered an 11:00 o'clock curfew for us.

   We had breakfast at the hotel, packed our bags and loaded the buses. 
The buses dropped us off at Spartan Stadium.  The buses were going to hang
out and wait for us until our game was over.  We were flying back home as
soon as the game was over.  We went through our normal preparations in the
morning.  I thought our team seemed loose and confident about the game.  I
hoped that it was a good sign.

   The Spartan crowd was loud and boisterous when the game started. 
Spartan Stadium was large by normal standards, holding roughly 75,000 fans.
Our team won the coin toss, so I lined up to take the kickoff.

   My blocking wedge did a good job for me.  I shot though a hole that
Trevor and Josh Bruno opened up for me.  I dodged a couple more tacklers
and sprinted down the field.  The kicker slowed me enough to let one of the
gunners catch me from the back.  I returned the ball 62 yards.  "Good job
Kyle." Zack said as he gave me a pat on the butt as he passed me.

   Our study of the Spartans found that they had a dominant defense against
the run.  The team was ranked in the top ten against the run of the 119 BCS
teams in college.  Their secondary wasn't ranked nearly as high.  Our game
plan called for us to throw two passes for each run.

   Our team's confidence (and our game plan) wasn't misplaced.  Zack only
needed three plays to score our first touchdown.  The Spartans went three
plays and punted back to us.

   I went in for the first of the dozen plays I was supposed to play.  The
Spartans had me in single coverage on the play.  Zack spotted that, called
an audible, and sent me deep.  I blew past the nickel back assigned to me
and sprinted down the field.  Zack launched a bomb to me.  I scooped it in
and sprinted down the field.  The free safety was lined up deep on the play
and prevented me from scoring a touchdown.  I picked up 37 yards on the
play.

   The Coach Burton used a mix of quick short passes, screens and deep
routes to move the ball down the field.  I went in on the sixth play of the
drive when we were on the Spartan's 12 yard line.  Zack lobbed a pass to me
in the far corner of the end zone for our second score.  Cooper Barnes
kicked the PAT to bring our lead to 14-0.

   The stadium was quiet when the Spartans took the field again.  The crowd
was stunned.  The first quarter wasn't even half over and we had a two
touchdown lead.  Things did not improve in the first half.  Zack and the
offense scored two more touchdowns while the Spartans scored a long field
goal.  I played for three more plays, catching two passes for 39 yards.

   Coach Burton decided to give the younger players a chance to get time on
the field in the second half.  The first string offense sat on the bench.
Jeremiah Nowak took over at quarterback.  I was sent out at wide receiver
to take Bo Cherry's spot on the strong side of our formation.  Hassan
Jackson took over Derek Whitaker's spot on the weak side of the field.

   We tried a little running to start the second half.  We found that our
offensive line couldn't move Michigan State's big defensive linemen.  Their
linemen couldn't move very fast or put good pressure on Jeremiah when he
threw the ball.  We reverted to passing the ball.  Jeremiah engineered a
touchdown drive for us in the third quarter.  I caught three more passes,
including our next touchdown.  Christian took over returning punts when I
played every down as a receiver.  Tanner was assigned to return kicks, but
he wasn't needed.  The Spartans didn't score in the in the third quarter.

   Our lead was 35-3 as we got the ball back to start the fourth quarter.
Glenn Korbell took over at quarterback.  Aidan Nagy took my wide receiver
spot.  Alex Majerowicz took over the other wide receiver spot.  Glenn and
the third string added another field goal in the fourth quarter.  The
Spartans finally got another score just before the game ended.  They
managed to get a touchdown against our third string playing prevent
defense. Tanner Riggs nearly broke the kickoff for another touchdown.  He
was shoved out of bounds at the Spartan's 27 yard line.  Our offense ran
out the clock to cinch our 38-10 victory to end our regular season.

   A very happy Nittany Lions team boarded the buses and headed for home.
This was an excellent way to finish our season.

   The pilot reported that Michigan had beaten Ohio State in overtime,
31-28 as we passed somewhere over Ohio.  The team cheered the news.  This
clinched things.  We were going to Pasadena and the Rose Bowl for our
holiday.

   There had to have been over a thousand students waiting for us when our
buses pulled into the parking lot at the Lasch Building.  They cheered us
as we left the buses.  This had been a spectacular weekend for my team and
for me.

   Cameron Miller and Joel Peterson found Damian and me when we started
back to our room.  Cameron and Joel roomed in 406 Hartranft, the room
beside our room.  They fired questions at Damian and me the whole way back
to the dorm.  It was cool to spend some time with them.  They seemed like
nice guys from the little time I had spent with them so far this term.  I
hoped to get to know them better now that I had six weeks until our next
football game.

   ------------------------------------------------------

   Andy e-mailed me while I was in Michigan to let me know that the
Wolverines had trounced Daniel Boone High School 45-10 to open their
playoff drive.  Andy caught two touchdowns.  Jake had another superlative
day passing.  I was going to get to watch my Wolverines take on South
Western the day after Thanksgiving at Elizabethtown College.

   The bowl game situation became clearer for us on Sunday when we learned
the results of the USC vs.  UCLA game on Saturday night.  USC won, locking
themselves into the Rose Bowl as our opponent.

   The coaches kept our practices inside Holuba Hall Monday and Tuesday. 
We weren't going to play anymore football outside in the cold again this
season.  The coaches had us practice some of the basics this week.  There
would be plenty of time to work on the game plan for USC later.  This week
we could unwind, and heal.  Coach Burton announced that practice on
Wednesday was cancelled.  We could go home to see our families when we were
done with classes that day.

   I had to meet with Dr.  Henderson on Tuesday afternoon.  He needed to
approve my schedule for the spring term before I scheduled my courses
on-line.  I chose History 2, Education Theory and Practice 115, C I 295
(Teaching Field Experience), Psych 100, and Economics 2.

   Dr.  Henderson looked over my list.  He said, "You need to start taking
the required Health and Physical Activities requirements.  I assume you
want to sign up for Kinesiology 088?"

   "I don't know.  What is Kinesiology 088?"

   "Varsity Sports Experience." Dr.  Henderson explained.

   "I certainly have that one covered.  What are some of my other choices?"

   Dr.  Henderson handed me the course catalog, open to the Kinesiology
pages.  I quickly scanned down the list.  Backpacking, skiing,
snowboarding, cross country skiing, rock climbing, orienteering, golf,
tennis, scuba, ice skating, etc.  The list of courses went on and on.

   "Uh...  no.  I don't think I want the Varsity Sports course.  I have to
do football anyway.  I think I'd like to try a course where I can learn
something new." I explained.  Dr.  Henderson gave me a funny look.

   "OK, what do you want Mr.  Martin?"

   I looked the list over and decided on Kinesiology 001, with cross
country skiing, backpacking and orienteering as the activities.  Dr. 
Henderson actually smiled when he signed the form approving my courses.

   Kevin Lee gave me a list of extra problems he wanted me to work on over
my Thanksgiving vacation.  We would skip Wednesday's tutoring session if I
agreed to turn the problems in to him on Monday afternoon.  I agreed
enthusiastically.  I called home and left a message for Mom so she would
know I would be home for dinner on Wednesday night.

   Christian asked me if I would be willing to give him a ride home.  I
agreed happily.  Christian and I got along great as long as we didn't share
a room.

   Christian and I met at the fourth floor elevators in Hartranft Hall
after our last courses for the day.  We carried our suitcases full of dirty
laundry up Bigler Road to my car at the East Parking Deck.  A snow squall
blew through State College on Tuesday night.  I needed to brush the snow
off the car.  I had parked on the roof of the parking deck the last time I
parked my car.

   The roads were wet and sloppy, but the not icy.  The trip to Manheim
took the expected couple hours.  I dropped Christian off at his house a few
minutes after 5 pm.  Half an hour later I pulled up in front of my house. I
sighed.  Home at last after almost four months.

   Chapter 8

   =========

   No one noticed when I pulled up to the house.  I grabbed my bags and
headed across the lawn to my home.  I walked inside and yelled, "I'm home!"

   I heard Mom call, "We're in the kitchen Kyle." I found Mom and Liz with
Connor and Noah.  Mom was tying a bib on one of my nephews while he sat in
his high chair.  Liz was holding his brother.

   I asked, "Liz, can I hold Connor?" The baby in the high chair looked at
me and smiled.  He jabbered away while Mom finished getting him ready for
dinner.

   Liz gave me a disapproving look as she handed my nephew to me.  "This is
Noah."

   I was shocked when I got him.  Noah weighed so much.  "My God!  Noah,
how much do you weigh?" Noah grinned and stared at me.  "He must weigh
close to 20 pounds." I said.

   Mom said, "Both boys weighed in at 19 ½ pounds when they visited the
pediatrician last week.

   Noah gurgled, "ga go ka ka dada."

   I smiled back at him.  "No I'm Uncle Kyle not dada."

   Liz explained, "Noah and Connor don't know what dada means yet.  They're
too young to talk."

   I looked at Noah and said, "Don't listen to your Auntie Liz.  You know
I'm Uncle Kyle, don't you?  Uncle....  Kyle...."

   Noah stared into my eyes and jabbered, "ka ka goo ga da."

   Liz said, "I have to get Noah ready for dinner." I handed him back to
Liz.  She put Noah in the second high chair.  I asked, "Where is everyone
else?"

   Mom responded, "Dad is in his study.  Andy is upstairs cleaning up from
practice this afternoon."

   "How about Will and Abby?" I asked.

   "They're having dinner in Philadelphia.  They will be here later this
evening."

   I asked, "Am I sleeping in the new bedroom in the basement or in my old
one upstairs?"

   Mom answered, "You will be upstairs in your old room.  Will and Abby
will be in the basement." She finished fussing with Connor and looked me
over.  "Let me get a good look at you."

   I slowly turned around for my mother's inspection.  Mom harrumphed and
said, "You've lost weight."

   "I weigh two pounds more than when I left home in the summer."

   "You're thinner." she insisted.

   "Probably.  My training has added muscle mass.  I guess that would make
me look thinner.  Muscle is denser."

   Liz zinged me.  "I always knew you were dense."

   I stuck my tongue out at Liz and muttered, "Twerp." I turned to Mom and
said, "No one at Penn State has their nutrition, health or well being
monitored closer than us football players.  I'm fine."

   "It's a mother's prerogative to worry about her children.  I just want
you to be healthy and happy." Mom said.

   "You don't have to worry about me.  I'm fine." I insisted.

   "It's good to have you home Kyle." Mom said.  "Do I get a hug?"

   I walked over to Mom and wrapped my arms around her.  Her arms encircled
me.  We hugged, probably too long.  I bent down and gave her a kiss on the
cheek as we separated.  "It's good to be home.  It's really good!"

   I stood beside each other for a few seconds.  My normal teenaged
impulses returned.  I asked, "What's for dinner?" The smell I suspected was
garlic bread wafted from the oven.

   "Spaghetti, tossed salad and garlic bread." Mom answered.

   "Mmmm... One of my favorite meals." I replied.

   Mom said, "You're timing is excellent Kyle.  Dinner will be served in a
couple minutes.  Why don't you clean up Kyle.  Liz, call your father and
Andrew."

   My family was seated around the table a couple minutes later.  Mom's
cooking was excellent as usual.  I enjoyed listening to everyone's
conversation, getting reacquainted with my family's lives.

   Connor sat between Mom and Andy.  Noah sat between Andy and Liz.  The
three of them fed the boys their dinner.  The twins were eating solid food
- if you called strained carrots and such solid.

   The meal was a welcome respite from dining hall food that I had endured
for the past four months.  Really, the dining hall food wasn't that bad,
but Mom's cooking beat it by a mile.  Noah and Connor jabbered to each
other all through dinner between mouthfuls of baby food.

   We were enjoying Mom's peach cobbler when she imposed on my long free
weekend.  She asked, "Could you take your sister to the mall Friday
morning? I have a doctor's appointment."

   "The mall?  On Black Friday?  Are you serious?" I asked.  I'd rather go
to the dentist and have root canal or something else equally hideous than
go to any mall on Black Friday.  Mom knew this.

   "Yes, I mean it.  I can't take her like I usually do.  You probably have
Christmas shopping you need to do, don't you?" Mom asked.  She'd eyed me. I
knew the look.  No arguments were going to be accepted.

   I stared at Liz and indicated, "We'll leave at ten in the morning." The
tone of my voice let Liz know that she didn't have any say in it.

   Liz said, "Ten o'clock will be fine."

   I realized I hadn't inquired about Mom's health.  Why was she going to
see the doctor?  "Everything's OK right Mom?"

   "It's just a check-up.  I'm in good health." Mom said.

   The family finished dinner talking small talk.  When we were done I
asked Mom, "Where do you want my laundry?"

   "You know where the washing machine is.  The laundry detergent is
downstairs on the shelf beside the washer.  Help yourself." Mom answered. I
didn't argue.  I was getting another lesson in being a grown-up tonight.  I
took my bags upstairs, sorted out my dirty clothes and took it to the
basement to start the first load.

   I spent my free time that evening between loads of laundry studying my
playbook.  I knew most of my friends wouldn't be home until later tonight.
Jeremy and Ed wouldn't be home at all.  Both of them had games on Saturday.
I was fortunate that Penn State gave us time off for the holiday.

   I called Coach Caffrey later in the evening.  I wanted to let him know
how much I valued all the time he had the spent the previous four years
helping me become the football player I was.  I recognized my former
coach's voice as soon as he said, "Hello?"

   "Coach Caffrey, it's Kyle Martin.  I hope I haven't called too late
tonight."

   "No, no it's fine Kyle.  What's up?" Coach Caffrey asked.

   "I'm home from college.  I was planning to come to Friday night's game.
I wanted to make sure it was OK if I stopped by to see the team before the
game."

   "Of course, you're always welcome to visit Kyle."

   "I wanted to thank you for all help you gave me while I was playing for
you Coach." I explained.

   "It was a pleasure to coach you and your friends.  I think you had a lot
to do with the success you have had.  No one I've coached has worked harder
than you did.  I watched a few of your games on TV this season.  You have
had a heck of a season Kyle."

   "Thanks Coach." I answered.

   "Coach Caffrey asked, "Do you know if your friends are coming home for
the holiday?"

   "Hal Long and his girlfriend should be home some time tonight.  Ed Fritz
and Jeremy North have games on Saturday."

   Coach Caffrey asked, "Do you expect to see either of them over
Christmas?"

   "I might see Ed after New Year's Day.  Florida is expected to play in a
bowl then, same as my team.  I expect to have a few days home before the
spring semester starts.  I don't know when I'll see Jeremy again.  His game
isn't until January 8th.  My classes start a few days later."

   Coach Caffrey said, "That's a price that you pay for a shot at a
national championship.  Jeremy is a very lucky young man to have a shot at
it his first year in college.  It almost happened to me when I was in
college."

   "It did?  I don't remember you ever talking about your time in college.
Where did you go?"

   "University of Pittsburgh." Coach Caffrey sighed.  "We all expected Dan
Marino was going to lead us to the championship in 1982."

   "You and Dan Marino know each other?"

   Coach chuckled.  "Dan was a senior, a team captain, and a Heisman Trophy
candidate.  I was a freshman walk-on trying to stick around playing
defensive back.  I was `Hey 23!' if Dan even noticed me when I was on the
scout team and tried to cover his receivers.  I was burnt by Dan and his
receivers all the time that year.  It was a privilege to watch one of the
best play."

   "Even so, it's pretty cool, being on the same team as Dan Marino.  What
happened with the national championship?"

   "We were ranked #1 going into the last game of the season.  We played
your team, Penn State, the day after Thanksgiving.  Dan had us up 14-0 in
the first quarter.  I don't know, maybe we started dreaming of the national
championship.  Next thing we know, Penn State's walloping us 42-14.  The
opportunity for a national championship was gone."

   I said, "I did hear about that game.  Todd Blackledge told some of us on
the team the story when he was in State College last month to broadcast the
Ohio State game.  We went past you in the polls to #1.  Todd, Curtis Ennis,
Kenny Jackson and their friends won the championship that year."

   "Our record went down hill after that season.  I made myself useful
enough to Coach Fazio that I ended up on scholarship my junior and senior
seasons.  I played as a dime or nickel back the rest of my college career.
I worked as a grad assistant at Pitt for a year and then went into
teaching. I've been working as an assistant coach or head coach in high
schools since then." Coach Caffrey explained.

   "I owe you a huge debt for everything you've done for me while I was in
high school.  All the schools recruiting me, my scholarship, my playing for
Penn State - all of it is because of the time and effort you put in to help
me.  Thank you Coach."

   "Thank you for saying that Kyle.  I appreciate it." Coach Caffrey
replied.

   "I guess I'll let you go.  I'm sure you have things to do to get ready
for tomorrow.  I'll see you Friday night." I said.  Coach said good bye and
hung up the phone.

   I called Hal Long around 9:30 pm.  I figured he and his girlfriend Tammy
would be home from Rutgers by then.  I called and got his mother.  She put
Hal on the phone.

   I said, "Hey Hal, it's Kyle.  How's things going?"

   "Not bad.  It was a long trip home.  Tammy and I caught a ride to
Reading with another student.  Mr.  Brooks picked us up the mall and
brought us the rest of the way.  We were on the road for three and a half
hours.  It was brutal with all the traffic this time of year."

   "I was lucky.  My last class ended at 2:15 today.  I got an early start
home."

   "You are lucky." After a pause Hal said, "I guess you're pretty happy
with how things are going with football.  I have been watching your stats
over the season.  How many yards are you up to?"

   "I'm over 2200 yards combined.  I guess that's OK."

   Hal chuckled.  "OK?  Coach Schiano would give his left nut to have
somebody like you to run back the kicks and punts.  Our best player is our
starting tailback.  He gets something like 32 touches a game and still has
fewer yards than you.  I bet you didn't get that many touches a game."

   "I average more like 8 touches a game, not 32.  I have a lot to learn
before they'll let me on the field for an extended time."

   "You're lucky you get on the field.  I sat on the bench all season, as
expected.  I've learned a lot from Joey DeMarco, our starting kicker.  He's
a junior so I doubt I'll get in a game next year either."

   I said, "Cooper Barnes, our starting kicker, is the best.  He and his
backup have really helped me get ready for the season."

   "I bet.  I can see you after practices are over.  `Can you kick me a few
balls?  I need to work on my returns.' You drove'em crazy didn't you?"

   I laughed.  "You know me too well.  My special teams coach chewed me out
after a couple weeks of extra practice.  He said I was wearing out his
kicker's legs.  The work helped me so I'm not sorry.  I owe Steve, Andrew,
Coop and Mitch a lot.  They made it possible for me to be successful."

   Hal said, "It's good things are working out for you."

   I asked, "Are you happy you decided to play football for them?"

   "Absolutely.  It's hard to beat a free college education.  My coach
thinks I'll be a good kicker when my turn comes.  That's more than I can
say for soccer."

   "Oh?  What's up?"

   "I practice with the soccer team just like I was promised.  I don't know
if I'm going to make it with the team.  The rest of guys are so much better
than me.  My stamina and speed are OK.  Even the other freshmen on the team
are better at ball handling and strategy.  I don't know if I'll ever get on
the field.  I feel like letting me play with the soccer team is a sop to
make me want to play football at Rutgers."

   I asked, "What are you going to do about it?"

   "I'll talk with my soccer coach when my seasons are over and see what he
thinks of my talent.  I guess I'll give myself another year to see if I can
catch up to the other guys.  If not, I guess I will concentrate on
football." Hal explained.

   "I hope it works out for you." I said.

   Hal asked, "Are you going to the football game on Friday?"

   "Of course." I answered.  "Are you and Tammy going?"

   "Yes.  We should hook up.  Kathy and Penny are ... OK.  Maybe we
shouldn't hook up there."

   "It probably would be better if we didn't.  I don't want to make things
too weird for Penny."

   Hal said, "I can't believe the two of you broke up."

   "Things are complicated when you try to have a long distance
relationship.  You and Tammy are lucky you are able to go to school
together."

   "Did you really end up screwing some strange girl at college?  It
doesn't sound like you."

   "She wasn't some girl I picked up one night.  We've been friends since
the beginning of the semester.  We went out for a movie one night.  We
stopped off at a party and had too much to drink.  We ended up back at her
room.  I didn't screw her."

   "You didn't have sex?  Penny thinks you did.  Maybe if you explain what
actually happened, you could work things out with her."

   "It's a distinction without a difference.  I said we didn't screw - you
know, have intercourse.  She gave me a blow job and I ate her pussy. 
That's having sex in my books.  It is for Penny too.  We're through as a
couple."

   Hall said, "You sure know how to screw things up Kyle.  I'm going to do
everything I can to make sure Tammy and I stay together."

   "You do that buddy.  I guess I'll see you at the game on Friday night."

   "Yeah.  Have a good holiday Kyle."

   "You too.  Bye Hal."

   I went back to studying my playbook until Will and Abby arrived home
from Philadelphia around a quarter to ten.  I greeted my brother and
sister-in-law warmly.  I helped them carry their bags downstairs to the new
bedroom in the basement.

   Dad and Andy had done a nice job turning our old rec room in the
basement into a bedroom.  They added a wall at the steps and over to the
doorway that led to the laundry room.  They also walled off an area that
would be a bathroom with a shower when the plumber finally came to do the
installation.  Mom found an old king-size bed, a dresser and an armoire at
a second hand store.  It was going to be a nice set-up when it was
finished. I'd be spending my time home there in a year or so when the twins
were ready for their own beds.

   I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that my nephews had learned
to sleep through the night.  I slept until after ten o'clock on
Thanksgiving.  It felt great being a lazy bum.  It was such a contrast to
the driven schedule I had at college.

   Dad, Will, Andy and I spent most of the afternoon watching NFL football
on TV.  Andy and I made sure Noah and Connor got indoctrinated in proper
Martin male behavior on Thanksgiving Day.  We held them and played with
them while we watched our first couple hours of football until it was time
for their naps.

   Mr.  & Mrs.  Hendricks joined us for dinner, as had become traditional
with our families in the past half dozen years.  Mom's dinner was great. 
Mrs.  Hendricks baked the best pies around.  I enjoyed the holiday meal
with my family.

   I wouldn't have any more holiday meals with my family this year.  The
bowl game invitations wouldn't come out for two weeks but everyone knew we
were going to the Rose Bowl.  Zack Hayes told me that I should expect us to
depart for California on the 23rd or 24th of December.

   Mom reminded me before I went to bed about my promise to take Liz
shopping on Friday morning.  It was for the best.  I could get my Christmas
shopping done early.  I wouldn't have to worry about shopping in State
College while I prepared for finals or about shipping my gifts home to the
family.

   Liz and I arrived at the mall a few minutes after ten the next morning.
The parking lot was jammed.  I ended up parking at the far end of the
parking lot behind the Sears Automotive Center in the back of the mall. 
Liz and I agreed to meet at the food court at noon.

   The mall was crowded.  It looked like there were enough people packing
the place to fill Beaver Stadium.  I managed to find suitable gifts for
everyone but the twins before it was time to meet Liz.  We grabbed some
lunch at the food court and then headed over to the Toys 'R Us store on the
other side of Harrisburg Pike.

   Liz and I had a good talk on the way home.  I found out she was planning
to take one of the school's buses to the game that night with her current
boyfriend Nicholas Hoover.  I offered to let them ride to the game with me.
Liz said she'd talk with Nick.

   Our family had an early dinner.  Andy took off for the high school to
catch the team bus to the game.  Liz and Nick decided getting a ride with
me beat riding a school bus half way across the county.  Liz and I left a
half hour after Andy.  Mom and Dad would follow us after they dropped Noah
and Connor off at our grandmom's house.

   Nick Hoover lived on the western end of our school district, not far off
Route 30.  Liz filled me in on some of the essentials about Nick on the way
to his house.  Nick's a sophomore who asked Liz out for a date in
September. Liz said they had fun, so she agreed to more dates.  Nick asked
Liz to go steady with him at the Halloween dance.  Nick played basketball.
He was really pumped when he made the varsity team a couple weeks earlier.
Liz was proud of him.

   Nick turned out to be a tall, gangly kid.  He looked to be only a couple
inches shorter than me.  He had black hair and long scraggily sideburns. 
He wore wire rimmed glasses.  Nick was polite and very interested in
sports. I entertained Liz and Nick talking about my experiences playing
football for Penn State on the drive to Elizabethtown College.

   We bumped into Zack Hayes when we parked outside the field.  Nick was
delighted to be introduced to Zack Hayes.  Nick had heard the stories
around our high school about Zack and had watched him on TV.

   Zack and I headed for the locker room to see our team before the game.
Coach Wyndham had us old-timers gather in one of the conference rooms out
of the way of the team while they dressed.  We had a good turn-out of past
players for the game.  Andy Groff, our stand-out defensive end from four
years ago was back.  Andy's older brother Bill made it too.  He played when
Justin Baer and Sam Hayes played football.  Rick Winters, middle linebacker
extraordinaire, from 2-3 years ago was back.  Stan Humphreys, our tailback
and my teammate for two years, made it.  Karl Weaver, Adam Diem and Jerry
Morton came too.

   We spent 15-20 minutes catching up with each other.  I was particularly
interested in talking with Andy Groff.  I hadn't heard much from my friend
and Christian's cousin Trent Wilson during the fall.  Andy told me that
Trent was doing well as a nickel back on their team, the University of
Delaware.  Andy and Trent had a playoff game tomorrow against the
University of Richmond.  I wished Andy luck in his game the next day.

   I enjoyed visiting with my old teammates.  We compared notes on how our
college football careers were fairing.  Of course everyone knew how Zack
and I were doing.  There aren't many secrets when your team is ranked #8 in
the nation.

   Coach Caffrey checked in with us after awhile.  He had asked Zack Hayes
to give the traditional address to the team before the game.  We followed
Coach out into the locker room.

   Zack gave a stirring address on the importance of teamwork if the
Wolverines expected to have success in the playoffs.  I watched the team.
They paid attention while Zack talked.  They were psyched to go beat South
Western High School when Zack was done.  We had beaten South Western two
years ago on our way to the state championship.  Hopefully this team could
repeat that success.

   I mingled with the team members when the talk was over.  Jason Harting
and Jonathan Landis, the #2 and #3 wide receivers behind Andy talked with
me for a few minutes.  Ryan Anderson, Marcus Shaeffer and Cameron Ellis
talked with me too.

   I was shocked when Mike `Tex' Johanson sought me out.  Tex and I had
started out at odds a year ago when he transferred to our school.  Tex
thanked me for everything I had done last year to get him ready.  He
quizzed me about what I had learned at Penn State.  I told him as much as I
could in the few minutes we had.

   Zack, my former teammates and I headed out to find seats for the game.
Adam Diem and Jerry Morton, both former offensive linemen, found seats
somewhere.  Zack, Andy Groff, Rick Winters, Stan Humphreys, Karl Weaver and
I sat together.  Zack and I analyzed what we watched as the game proceeded.

   The Wolverines got the ball first.  Jake led the team on a sweet ten
play, 76 yard drive that was capped off by Jake's TD pass to Jason Harting
in the middle of the end zone.  South Western double covered Andy and kept
the free safety deep too, in case my brother broke loose from the double
coverage.  The rest of the Wolverines exploited the obvious weaknesses in
the remainder of the defense.

   The Mustangs went three plays and out.  Tex Johanson had a nice 15 yard
punt return.  Jake led our team on another long drive down the field. 
South Western kept Andy from killing them but at too high a cost.  Marcus
Shaeffer and his backup Cameron Ellis carried the ball more on the second
drive.  Marcus powered his way in for the second TD.

   Things didn't improve for South Western.  By the second quarter they
were down 17-0.  This year's version of the Wolverines differed from the
last couple years.  In the past we beat people because we had a few better
athletes.  Five of us were playing in Division I-A (BCS) football teams.  I
didn't see more than three that would do that on this team (Jake, Andy and
Tex Johanson).

   A couple seasons ago our secondary had been subpar.  We covered them up
with excellent linebackers and a strong pass rush.  The secondary on this
team was excellent.  The three linebackers played equally well against the
run or the pass.  The defensive line was big and solid by high school
standards.

   Jake Kring was brilliant at quarterback.  Marcus Shaeffer and Cameron
Ellis didn't have the speed Drew McCormick had last year, but they played
solidly.  Andy was my equal at wide receiver.  Jason Harting and Jonathan
Landis, our #3 receiver, played competently.  They could catch whatever
pass South Western didn't cover well when they doubled or tripled up on
Andy.

   The team truly demonstrated the old saying `The whole is greater than
the sum of the parts.' The mood of the crowd lightened up as it became
apparent that South Western didn't have the horsepower to keep up with us
offensively or defensively.

   I headed over for some refreshments after we scored another touchdown in
the second quarter.  I bumped into some old friends on the way.  Matt
Sauder, Dave Mitchell, Cody Stevens, Josh Strickler and Ryan Lapp were
sitting together.  They yelled, "Kyle!" "Hey Kyle!" "Over here Kyle!" to
get my attention.  They were part of the dozen new scouts Ed Fritz and I
had shepherded through their first year in Boy Scouts three years ago. 
They were classmates of my sister Liz and freshmen in high school.

   They bombarded me with questions about playing football at Penn State. I
answered them patiently.  Josh Strickler, who was wearing a Penn State
sweatshirt gushed, "It's really great to meet a star on the Nittany Lions
team."

   "I'm not a star.  I'm just a freshman like you guys.  I'm still
learning. One of the real heroes on our team is here." I pointed over to
where Zack, Andy, Karl, and Rick were sitting.

   "Zack Hayes is here!" Matt Sauder exclaimed.  Bedlam broke loose again.
I quieted them down after a minute with a promise to introduce them to Zack
later if they stopped by where we were sitting.

   I asked, "You know how I've been doing in football.  How are you guys
doing?" All the kids in this group had played JV football this season.

   Matt proudly announced, "I played quarterback all season."

   I asked, "Starting?" Matt nodded yes enthusiastically.  "You beat out
Garrett Houseman?  That's excellent."

   The rest of the story spilled out quickly.  Our JV team had gone
undefeated this season.  Matt and Dave said Cody was really slippery as a
running back, very hard to tackle.  Matt and Cody boasted about Dave's
speed.  No other JV team had been able to keep up with him on deep routes.
Dave offered that he thought Josh was almost as good a linebacker as Kenny
Weaver was.  All the guys were stoked about their chance to play on varsity
next season.

   Matt insisted, "I'm going to win the starting QB job next season."

   I allowed, "Coach Caffrey doesn't like to play sophomores at QB.  You'll
probably be a backup."

   Matt answered, "I've seen Logan Mitchell play.  I can do better than
him." Logan was Jake's back up this year.

   "I think you'll do better worrying about keeping the number 2 spot
against Garrett Houseman than taking Logan's spot at starter next season.
Coach Caffrey just doesn't like starting young guys at quarterback."

   Matt said, "Ed did it.  I can too."

   "Well... good luck with that.  You'll have to work and study hard to
have a chance."

   Matt responded, "I'll do it Kyle.  I want to get a big college
scholarship the way Ed did, the way Zack did, the way Zack's brother did. I
believe I can do it."

   "I hope it works out the way you want Matt.  The rest of you - work
hard. That's the ticket to success in football.  I expect you guys to
uphold the honor of our team when it's your turn to run things here.a"

   "You bet Kyle!" "You can count on us." "We'll do it!" echoed in my ears
as I waved good bye and headed to the snack stand.  I grabbed some nachos
and a Coke and rejoined my former teammates.  I filled Zack in on the state
of our JV team.  He was pleased they were so enthusiastic.

   Ryan Anderson, a junior starting at tight end this year, added another
touchdown in answer to South Western's field goal before the end of the
first half.  The Wolverines went into the locker room ahead 21-3.

   Zack and my other friends talked about getting together on Saturday
night.  Zack's parents were away for a long romantic weekend.  He invited
us to drop over for an informal party later in the evening.  The guys were
going to invite some of the girls from back in high school to the party.

   South Western fumbled the kickoff to start the second half.  Jake
alternated handing the ball off to Marcus and Cameron to pound it toward
their end zone.  South Western finally tightened up on defense when the
Wolverines got inside the 10 yard line.  On third and goal on the 7 yard
line Coach Caffrey called the naked bootleg play.  Jake faked the hand off
to Marcus who then ran to the right.  The whole offensive line shifted
their blocking that way.  The Mustang's players all shifted to stop Marcus
from scoring.  They discovered Jake running to his left much too late to
stop him from carrying the ball into the end zone.

   South Western made one first down when they got the ball back, but that
was all.  They punted back to Tex, who had an excellent 22 yard return.  I
wondered if Coach Caffrey if would put in the second string with a 28-3
lead.  He didn't.

   South Western finally stopped the triple team on Andy since the rest of
the team was killing them.  Jake unleashed a long bomb to my brother on a
play fake after setting them up with three straight Marcus runs up the gut.
Andy beat the two guys covering him and sprinted in for a touchdown.

   Coach Caffrey sent in the second string after that.  He apparently
considered a 35-3 lead to be safe.  The Mustangs tried gamely to come back.
Our second string defense did let them have a touchdown near the end of the
third quarter.  Logan Mitchell, Jake's backup QB, played his role properly.
He spent most of his time handing off to Cameron and to the third string
tailback, Justin Souders, so they could run down the game clock.

   The 32 ounce Coke I had bought before halftime had passed through my
system.  I excused myself and headed for the restroom.  I did my business
and was heading back to my seat when I bumped into Penny, my former lover.

   Both of us froze when we spotted each other.  I spoke first.  "I hoped
I'd get a chance to talk to you over the holiday."

   Penny frowned and said, "So... Talk!" She didn't seem pleased to be
confronted with me.

   I gulped and started.  "I did the stupidest thing... No, the two
stupidest things I've ever done in my life last month.  I cheated on you.
And I was too cowardly to talk to you and discuss what had happened.  I
wanted to say I was sorry."

   "And?" Penny said.

   "I just wanted to apologize for the horrible way I handled our
relationship.  I'm sorry."

   "You're sorry?  That's it?  I'm going through a terrible time in college
dealing with that horrible Nicole.  I needed your support.  Instead you run
around and cheat on me.  You don't expect that it makes any difference that
you didn't actually fuck this person, do you?"

   "Hal mentioned that?" I sighed.  "No, I knew it didn't make a
difference. I got drunk and did something really stupid.  I wish I could
change everything, but I can't.  All I can say is I'm sorry.  I hope things
are getting better for you at college."

   "I moved out on Nicole.  Your brother helped me."

   "Good." I answered.

   "None of the improvements in my life have involved you.  Thank God Will,
Abby, Erin, Trish and Dave were around to help me." Penny declared.

   "I wish you the best." I said as Penny turned to leave.

   "Yeah, right!" She snapped.  She stalked away from me.

   "I'll always love you." I said quietly as she left.  I doubt Penny heard
me.  That didn't go very well.  I guess I deserved all of it.  I had
treated the girl I said I loved terribly.  Hopefully some day she could
forgive me.  I headed back to my seat with my friends.

   Zack noticed immediately when I sat down that something was wrong.  He
glanced at me questioningly.

   I answered his look.  "I bumped into Penny."

   "Ouch, that's tough.  I know it hurts now Kyle.  You're better off
without a girlfriend.  Big Ten football demands too much time to keep a
girlfriend satisfied." I just nodded in response.

   I wished there was some way that Penny and I could have worked out our
needs together.  She was going to be a veterinarian - a damn god one.  I
wanted to play big time college football - and I was.  There just wasn't
anyway for both of us to get what we wanted in life and do it together. 
I'd never have asked her to give up on being a vet to follow me to Penn
State.  I didn't think I could find what I wanted in life by going to Penn
with her.  I envied Hal and Tammy.  Jeremy and Kathy too.  They were
fortunate that they had mutually agreeable goals that allowed them to stay
together.

   By the time I was paying attention to the game again Logan had led a
drive that added a field goal to bring the score to 38-10.  The Mustangs
added a late touchdown against our second string defense when the coaches
switched to a prevent defense.  The game ended with the Wolverines winning
38-17.  Our red and white clad fans celebrated wildly.  We were another
step closer to our goal - the state championship.

   Zack told me to come around nine tomorrow for his party.  He winked and
said he guaranteed a good time would be had by all.  I located Liz and her
date, Nick Hoover.  I told them to meet me in twenty minutes at my car.  I
wanted to stop in the locker room and congratulate everyone.  I also wanted
to offer Andy a ride home.

   I headed back to the locker room.  I knocked since I wasn't a member of
this team anymore.  Justin Baer, my former receivers coach and good friend
popped out the door.

   "What's up Kyle?" Justin asked.

   "I wanted to see if Andy wants to get a ride home with me." I explained.

   "Sure thing, Go ahead."

   I went inside.  I congratulated Jake, Cameron, Brett, Kenny, and Tex as
I headed for my brother's locker.  Andy was happy for a chance to back to
Paradise with me.  He told me he'd be another ten minutes.

   I found Nick and Liz locked in ardent embrace kissing each other when I
went back to the car.  I decided to wait for Andy by the locker room door
so my sister could have a little privacy with her boyfriend.  Andy and I
made lots of noise when came back to the car a few minutes later.  Nick and
Liz separated quickly when they heard us.  Not that they looked entirely
innocent.  Liz was flushed from her make out session.  Nick awkwardly
turned his back, undoubtedly to hide the boner in his pants.  Liz and Nick
climbed in the back seat of my Golf.  Andy took the front seat.

   Unexpectedly Andy was in a good mood from the game.  I asked, "Aren't
you disappointed only scoring one touchdown tonight?"

   "No, why should I be?  South Western tripled me most of the night.  They
opened themselves up for the rest of the team to kill'em tonight.  The stat
sheet doesn't show it, but I know I had a big impact on the result."

   "I'm glad you don't mind.  That's the right team spirit." I said.  Andy
just grinned back to me at my praise.  My brother had matured more than I
realized since last year.  Then he pissed and moaned about not getting much
chance to catch touchdowns when Ed Fritz threw most of the deep balls to
me. It was a refreshing change in my brother's personality.

   I dropped Nick off first and then dropped Andy off at the school to pick
up his car.  Dad had allowed Andy to use some of the money he earned
working at the restaurant to buy an old Toyota.  Andy followed me back to
our house.

   I slept in on Saturday.  I got up around 11 am.  I grabbed some lunch
after my morning shower and then spent most of the afternoon studying Math
110.  I had to have a good grade on the final exam to get a passing grade
in the course.  I didn't want to flunk it and be declared academically
ineligible for our bowl game.

   Jeremy North's game against Stanford was on ESPN at 4 pm that afternoon.
The game was out in California.  Stanford was outclassed by #2 ranked Notre
Dame.  Coach Weiss sent in the second string after they led 31-10 at
halftime.

   Dinner with my family interrupted the game for me.  I grudgingly headed
to the kitchen for dinner.  Things were normal until dessert.  Mom cleared
her throat and called for everyone's attention when dessert was done.

   "Your dad and I have an announcement to make.  I want to let everyone
know about my visit to the doctor yesterday." Mom said.

   My brain snapped to attention immediately.  What was wrong?  Mom had
said it was a routine visit.  I listened closely to hear what was up.

   Mom grinned.  "I want to let all of you know.  You are going to have a
little brother or sister in seven months."

   Everyone was silent for a couple moments then pandemonium broke loose.
"You're pregnant?" "Are you kidding?" "Congratulations Mom, that's cool!"
The comments and questions flew across the dining room table.

   When things calmed down Will asked, "Aren't you a little old for all of
this Mom?"

   "I'm only thirty-eight.  I'm certainly capable of having another child."
Mom answered.

   Will said, "I'll be twenty-three when this kid is born.  I thought Abby
would be the next expectant mother not you."

   I asked, "This wasn't planned was it?"

   Dad replied, "No.  It's a happy accident."

   Andy teased, "They know what causes this now."

   Liz added, "You're just a dirty old man, aren't you Dad?"

   Dad answered, "I resemble that remark."

   We got down to the serious questions after that exchange.  Mom was six
weeks along.  Everything was normal.  Mom's due date was July 1st, nine
days before my birthday.  Everyone congratulated Mom and Dad before we left
the table.

   I was nosy.  I went on-line to one of the pregnancy calculation sites. I
estimated that Mom's last menstruation was on September 25th.  Mom and Dad
were probably getting it on Friday, October 9th.  It was weird thinking
about Mom and Dad getting naked and screwing.  Obviously they did.  They
had four kids, two conceived out of wedlock.  The fifth one was on the way.
I must come by my horniness honestly.

   It was the fourth quarter when I got back to watch the Notre
Dame-Stanford game.  The score was 34-10.  Coach Weiss had substituted more
young players onto the field.  I enjoyed watching Jeremy playing at middle
linebacker.  Jeremy did a good job by my estimation.  The final score was
41-17.

   Things were set for #1 Michigan to play #2 Notre Dame in the BCS
Championship game on January 8th.  Their win also virtually assured that
Penn State would represent the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl on January 1st.  We
would play USC if they won their game against lightly regarded Cal that
evening.

   I watched the first half hour of that game before I had to get ready for
Zack Hayes' party.  USC had a two touchdown lead when turned off my TV.  I
showered, shaved and dressed in some nice, but casual clothes.  I grabbed a
couple condoms from my drawer before I left.  Who knows?  Zack's parties
were notorious for lots of booze and girls.  I might get lucky tonight.  I
certainly didn't want to join Dad and Andy in fatherhood.

   Mom was shocked when I came downstairs at a quarter to nine.  She asked,
"Where are you going this late in the evening?"

   "Zack Hayes invited some of us over to his house tonight.  It's just a
bunch of friends from high school." I explained.

   "OK.  When are you going to be home?" Mom asked.

   "I have no idea." I answered as I headed for the door.

   "Call if you are going to be late." Mom called as I walked out.

   "Sure thing." I responded before I closed the door.  I hopped in my Golf
and drove the mile and a half to the Hayes' house.  Cars were parked up and
down the street.  Zack was having a big bash by look of things.

   Mike Wagner, the other starting wide receiver my first year in high
school greeted me at Zack's door.  Mike and I talked for a couple minutes,
catching up on the past year's events.  I wandered on, looking for Zack.  I
found him in the kitchen setting up the bar area.  I automatically jumped
in to help, like I usually did back at school.

   Don Higgins popped into the kitchen just after Zack walked out to the
garage.  Don's broken leg in my freshman year let me grab a starter's wide
receiver spot sooner than expected.  Don asked, "Did Hayes bring you in to
be his bartender Martin?"

   I grinned and answered, "No, I'm just helping."

   Zack came in as I spoke.  He added, "Kyle usually helps me set up for my
parties at school." He set the case of beer he was carrying beside the
cooler I had opened.

   Don aid, "That's right.  I forgot you were going to school with Zack."

   I asked, "Beer?" offering him one of the cold ones from the fridge.  Don
accepted it.  I filled the cooler with beer and then filled all the open
spaces with ice.  Don and I talked a bit about school while I finished
setting up the bar for Zack.  I grabbed a Coke.  We headed out to the
living room when we were done.

   Zack, Mike, Stan and Karl had pushed back the furniture to make an area
to dance.  Not many girls had arrived yet.  Zack had the TV on to the USC
vs.  Cal game.  The announcer excitedly called, "Touchdown!  Rasmussen to
Gutierrez."

   I yelled out, "Way to go Brady!" That drew a lot of funny stares from my
friends.  I explained, "I know Brady.  We met when USC was recruiting me.
He's a good guy."

   Most of the guys just shook there heads at me.  Mike commented, "You and
Hayes, you live in a different world than the rest of us."

   "It's not that big a deal.  Brady was my host when I visited.  He's a
friendly guy.  Both of us love the outdoors.  I think we'd have been
friends if I had gone to USC."

   Zack said, "Which I'm eternally grateful you didn't do."

   I said, "You guys seem to think this is some big deal, what Zack and I
do.  It isn't.  We take classes just like you do.  We have term papers,
take exams and have to keep our grades up like the rest of you.  Zack and I
spend 4-6 hours on football every day in addition to all the school work
you guys do.  There's some glamour but we bust our butts to play football
at this level."

   Zack added, "Kyle's got it right."

   I said, "All of you should understand.  We were the in-crowd during high
school.  We dated the cheer leaders, the student government leaders, the
best of the girls available to us.  College isn't different."

   Mike said, "Except you're playing on a much more exclusive playing field
now."

   Zack and I admitted that Mike was right about that.  Our attention
turned back to the game, which had only a few minutes to go.  USC's second
string finished demolishing Cal 35-16.  The announced said, "That sets
things for the Rose Bowl.  The Southern Cal Trojans will face the Penn
State Nittany Lions in the Rose Bowl on January 1st."

   Zack and I high fived as he exclaimed, "Rose Bowl bound baby!  Look out
Trojans." The rest of the guys celebrated with us.

   I noticed Karl say to Rick Winters, "We're going to kick USC's ass."

   I asked, "Karl, are you a Penn State fan?"

   "Well, yeah." He gave me a look that said `What kind of doofus are you?'
"I'm a student at Penn State."

   "You are?  I haven't seen you around campus." I said.

   "I've been going to the Erie Campus for the last year and a half.  I'm
moving to University Park for the spring semester.  They finally have room
for me down there." Karl explained.

   "Welcome.  It'll be cool to have you around.  What dorm are you in?"

   "Geary Hall.  Do you know where it is Kyle?"

   "East Halls I think." I looked to Zack.

   Zack confirmed, "East Halls.  It's one of the dorms across from the East
Parking Deck."

   "That's cool Karl.  Look me up when you get to campus.  We can do
something together."

   "I'd like that Kyle." Karl answered.

   The party got into full swing soon after that as more guys and most of
the girls arrived.  Zack set up the music.  People started dancing between
drinks and conversations.  I stuck with my Cokes.  I was driving and had no
interest in getting the inqisition from my parents when I got home from the
party.

   Stacie Thompson, one of the first girls to let me explore sex with her
came.  She was alone.  Her boyfriend Drew McCormick had a football game
back in Morgantown that afternoon.  Drew and Stacie attended West Virginia.
Stacie and I talked for a few minutes.  Stacie was a real sweetheart.

   I mingled with the guests, talking over high school.  I caught up with
what was happening in my old friend's lives.  It was fun to see all these
people again.

   I bumped into Holly Cox when I went to the dining room for some
munchies. Holly and I had a brief thing for each other between Julie
dumping me and Penny and me getting together back when we were juniors.

   Holly gave me a big grin and held her arms out to me.  "Give me a hug."
I hugged Holly.  She looked even better than in high school when she was
one of the best looking cheer leaders on the squad.  She squeezed us
together longer than necessary.  "It's so good to see you Kyle.  What's it
been?  Since graduation?"

   "I think that's when we saw each other the last time." I said.

   "Are you and Penny still together?"

   "No.  She's going to Penn and I'm at..."

   "Penn State.  I know.  The papers saturate southeast Pa.  with coverage
of your games.  I guess you're doing well."

   "I'm good.  How are you?  Where are you going to school?"

   Holly explained, "I'm going to West Chester University.  I want to be a
teacher."

   "Really?  I didn't know that.  I'm going to get a degree in education
too." I said.  We talked for a few minutes, comparing notes.  Holly was
studying early elementary education.  I explained about my desire to be a
high school history teacher.

   I looked Holly over as we talked.  Her golden hair had bronze highlights
and fell to her shoulders in beautiful curls.  Holly had filled out a
little since I saw her last.  Her already ample breasts were more prominent
than high school.  She was simply stunning.  Last year she had been a
pretty girl.  Now she was a beautiful, highly desirable woman.

   I asked, "Are you seeing anyone?"

   "No, I'm between boyfriends.  How about you?"

   "No, I'm unattached." I answered.

   Holly and I headed to the living room.  We danced together and talked
between dances.  The old attraction from two years ago was still there.  I
tried to maintain a proper distance for acquaintances when the first slow
song came on.  Holly wouldn't let me.  She pressed herself against me.  I
could feel her hard nipples trying to drill holes in my chest.  We danced
and danced.

   She had her head against me shoulder.  I leaned mine on top of hers. 
Her perfume had my motor purring.  I popped a woody.  Holly didn't mind. 
She rubbed herself against it as we swayed to the music.  It was a good
thing I brought the condoms.  I could see where the evening was heading.

   Holly and I found an empty easy chair towards the back of the room. 
Holly pushed me down in it and sat on my lap.  My hard erection was trapped
against her bottom.  We clung together and began kissing.  We devoured each
other's lips, tongues, cheeks and necks.  Our hormones were roaring through
our bodies at full blast.  We kissed and rubbed together, quickly heating
up past the boiling point.  My hand no more had reached her left breast
when Holly broke our kiss and gasped, "Upstairs.  I want a room!"

   We hopped up and made our way across the room towards Zack.  Before I
could say anything Zack said, "Upstairs to the right.  Use Sam's room. 
It's the last one on the left side of the hall."

   I managed a "Thank you." as we hurried upstairs for more privacy.

   Part way up the steps Holly asked, "You do have protection don't you?"
She obviously remembered the one time we almost had sex.  I was unprepared.
We had to settle for a hand job and making out that evening.

   "I'm prepared." I said.  We raced up the steps and headed for Sam's old
bedroom.  I locked the door behind us when we got inside.  Holly's pretty
lavender sweater had disappeared by the time I turned around.  Her blouse
and bra joined them on the floor.  I pulled my shirt off before I joined
Holly on the bed.

   We lay together.  We embraced and kissed.  Our naked torsos heightened
the stimulation our mouths and tongues were providing to us.  I palpated
her left breast while we kissed.  Holly rubbed her hands up and down my
body.  After a few minutes I kissed my way down Holly's neck and chest onto
her right breast.  I kissed and licked the right one while I fondled her
left breast.  I teased and suckled one nipple for a few moments and then
switched.  Back and forth, I slowly drove Holly's arousal higher.

   I slipped a hand down, tickling her tummy while I showed her breasts my
appreciation.  Holly squirmed when my hand reached her slacks covered V.  I
suckled on her left tit until she squealed and begged, "Let's get undressed
Kyle."

   We separated briefly.  Holly removed her skirt, stockings and panties
while I pulled off my socks, pants and boxers.  I purposefully pulled the
two condoms from my pants and placed them on the nightstand.  Holly smiled
when she saw them.

   We lay on our sides and kissed again, our now naked bodies pressed
together.  I slipped my hand down again and gently fingered her outer lips.
We rubbed together while we kissed and I paid homage to her womanhood.  I
explored her rapidly lubricating slot with my finger for a minute or so.

   Holly readily agreed to some 69 when I suggested it.  We pulled apart
and rearranged ourselves in the proper positions.  I kneeled over top of
Holly while she lay below me facing the opposite direction.  Holly turned
out to be quite skilled at giving head.  I had to concentrate on what I was
doing to properly bring her to climax.  Holly's juices tasted sharper than
many of the girls I had licked, but they weren't unpleasant.

   Holly teased my balls and sucked and licked my cock.  She couldn't quite
get all seven inches in her mouth, but she tried valiantly.  I rimmed her
hole with my tongue, licked my way up through her gooey inner lips and then
licked around her clitoris.  I worked my way around from the bottom to the
top and down again.  Holly became more frantic as I pushed her towards
climax.  I concentrated on her clitoris when it peeked out of its hiding
place.  Thirty seconds of stimulation were enough to drive her over the
precipice.

   Holly spit my cock out and squealed.  Holly shimmied while she rode the
crest of her orgasm to denouement.  I gently licked her inner lips with my
tongue while she shook.  She poured out copious amounts of her fragrant
juices as she came.  Holly finally calmed down after thirty seconds of
exquisite pain.  I continued licking to spread her moistness around.

   Holly asked me, "Do you want me to finish with you before we...." I
looked down between our bodies.  Holly giggled.

   I finished her thought.  "Fuck?" Holly smiled and nodded yes.  I
continued, "I'll last longer if you get me off before we finish the act."
Holly enthusiastically took my cock into her mouth until the tip bumped
against her throat.  She pulled off me and coughed.  She took me right back
in.  Holly stimulated me with her tongue and lips for a few minutes or so.
It was all I needed.  I gasped, "I'm ready to cum!" just before my balls
pumped a big load of jism into her mouth.  Holly smiled around my cock and
continued sucking.  I lasted a few seconds and then pumped a big load of
semen into Holly's hot mouth.  She swallowed frantically, trying to swallow
it all.

   I switched positions again so Holly and I were lying side by side.  We
went back to kissing and fondling each other.  It only took me a couple
minutes to get my erection back.  It pressed into her thigh.  Holly reached
down and stroked it.

   Holly said, "I'm ready for this Kyle.  Let's do it." I climbed out of
bed and rolled one of the condoms over my steely cock.  Holly lay back on
the bed and spread her legs wide to give me access to her sex.  I clambered
between her legs and lined my hard cock up with her opening.

   I asked, "Are you ready honey?" Holly nodded yes.  I pushed my cock
gently into her depths.  Holly's pussy felt hot, juicy and totally
delectable.  I pushed in until my pubic bone nestled against Holly's neatly
trimmed bush of blond curly hair.  The tip of my cock nudged her cervix as
it bottomed out.

   I asked, "Is this OK Holly?"

   "Oh yeah Kyle.  I can't believe how long you are." I beamed at her
praise.  I rubbed myself against her clitoris and then started pumping.  I
used long slow strokes to start with.  I wanted this to last.  Holly coaxed
me to go harder and faster after a minute.  I thrust and withdrew.  I tried
to rub her clit each time our bodies slapped together.

   Holly pushed back against me each time my cock filled her.  The smell of
sweaty teens making love filled Sam's bedroom.  We pleasured each other for
probably ten minutes, maybe longer.

   Holly's blow job had done the trick for me.  I continued thrusting and
rubbing as Holly's brain slowly came unwired.  She gasped and squirmed as I
fucked her.  She demanded that I keep going hard and fast.  Holly groaned
when I pushed her over the edge to her second orgasm.  Holly squealed and
panted while she came.  Her pussy clenched and spasmed around my hard
primed cock.  I tried to keep stroking, but the sensations were too much.
My balls tightened as my body prepared to seed this lovely girl under me. I
stroked once, twice... I pushed my cock in and planted it against the
entrance to her womb.  I held tight as the cum swelled from my balls,
pumped up the tube in my cock and blasted out.  The thin membrane of latex
prevented our coupling from reaching it natural conclusion - procreation. I
fired half a dozen strong spurts of cum and then dribbled some more into
the tight piece of latex.  I collapsed on top of Holly when I was spent.

   "You're too heavy Kyle." Holly gasped.  My brain tried to register the
meaning of the words.  Finally I rolled us sideways.  My deflating cock
slipped out of her with a plop.

   Holly gasped, "Wow!" while I panted beside her.  She recovered from our
mutual climaxes before I did.  She kissed and cuddled against me while I
tried to get my brain out of its stupor.

   Holly clasped her arms around me and snuggled up against my body.  "You
managed to live up to your high school reputation Kyle."

   "I hope that's good." I answered.

   "Your rep back then was that you were a red hot lover.  Grade A prime.
Not that many girls got the chance to find out for sure.  Penny, Julie and
then Penny again kept you off the market through most of high school.  The
other cheerleaders that got a run at you all said you were spectacular. 
They were right."

   "I'm glad you had fun." I said.  We went back to deep kissing, our
tongues dueling again.  My cock hardened when it thought there was a chance
of fucking Holly again.  Holly giggled and grasped my cock when it bounced
against her stomach.

   "Oh goody!  I guess you want to go again Kyle." Holly purred.

   "Sure.  I can if you want." I replied.  Holly handed me the second
condom from the nightstand.  I pulled the used one off and tossed it away.
I recovered my erection with latex and turned towards my lover.

   "Do you mind doggie style Kyle?  It's one of my favorites."

   "Sure." I answered.  Holly climbed up on her hands and knees and turned
her backside towards me.  I positioned my erection against her hot hole and
gently pushed myself into her pussy.  I worked up to a nice rhythm.  Holly
pushed back at me as I stroked in and pulled away as I withdrew.  I put my
hands on her ass cheeks to keep us joined together.  It took about thirty
seconds for us to synchronize our movements.  We humped together
enthusiastically as we mated.

   Holly didn't have one big orgasm this time.  She had many small ones,
one right after another.  We continued slapping our bodies together.  Holly
began playing with her clit as we fucked after half a dozen minutes.  Holly
brought herself to a bigger climax with the added stimulation.  Her
spasming pussy walls coaxed my seven incher until it was ready to spew.  I
drove it deep into Holly with one hard thrust and held it there while my
body expelled another load of my seed.  I collapsed onto Holly's back when
I was drained of all my fluids.  I pulled out, rolled on my side and
collapsed on the bed.  Holly rolled over to face me.

   "Jesus, you know how to fuck with that thing." Holly gushed.  I grinned
in response.  I recovered after a minute.  I pulled the spent condom off my
cock and tossed it on the floor with the first one.

   Holly and I lay together and went back to kissing.  Holly played with my
limp cock while we kissed.  She asked, "Are you up for another time Kyle?"

   "Mmmm....  That's tempting.  I'm afraid I can't.  I only brought two
condoms.  I'll have to pass."

   Holly teased.  "I'm going to have to start packing my own.  You're going
to leave me hanging again."

   "Hanging?  How many orgasms did you have tonight?" I answered.

   "Many." was her only answer.  She kissed me.  "When are you going to be
home for Christmas?  Maybe we could get together again."

   "Sorry.  My team is going to play in the Rose Bowl.  I don't know if
I'll be home at Christmas time."

   "Damn!" Holly sat up and grinned.  "I guess a girl can't complain too
much.  One night with you is better than none."

   "I enjoyed myself too Holly.  I like to spend more time with you next
time we're both home from school."

   "It's a deal Kyle." Holly said.

   We dressed quietly.  I gathered up the spent condoms and deposited them
in the trash can.  Holly and I headed downstairs again.  We spent the rest
of the evening talking with our friends.  Holly had a beer while we
visited. I stuck with Coke.  It was after one o'clock when the party broke
up.  I gave Holly a ride home.  The girl she came with left earlier with
Karl.

   Holly lived about three miles north of Zack's house.  I didn't get back
to my house until 1:30 am.  I was surprised that the living room light was
still on when I got home.  I went in quietly.  Dad met me inside the door.

   Dad asked, "Do you have any idea what time it is Kyle?"

   I glanced at my watch.  "It's a little after 1:30." I answered.

   "I know you are used to living on your own now.  Your mother was worried
sick about you.  We still expect you to check in with us."

   "I told you I was going over to Zack's house to hang out with some
friends.  That's where I was.  All night."

   "If you're going to be out after midnight, it would be nice to let us
know.  It's just common decency." Dad insisted.

   "I'll try and remember in the future Dad.  I'm sorry."

   Dad looked me over.  "You haven't been drinking have you?"

   "Of course not.  I was driving." I said.

   Dad pulled at my collar and rubbed a spot.  I glanced down and saw
Holly's lipstick had left a smudge.  Dad asked, "What was her name?"

   "Holly Cox.  We were friends from high school."

   Dad just shook his head.  "Get to bed quietly.  Don't wake the twins or
your mother."

   "I'll do better next time Dad.  I'll remember to call if I'm going to be
home late." I promised.  Dad nodded to me.  I headed upstairs, stripped and
climbed into bed naked.  I fell asleep immediately.

   The house was empty when I woke up around 10 am the next morning.  I
showered, dressed and packed my things for the trip back to school.  I went
downstairs, grabbed some breakfast and spread out the Sunday paper.

   I found a nice article about the Wolverines' victory over South Western.
The other playoff game in our district had pitted Central against New
Oxford.  Central beat them.  The paper said Central and my Wolverines would
face off again at Hershey Stadium next Saturday.  I pondered whether I
should bet Christian again on the result.  It had been nice to have him do
my laundry for two weeks.

   The paper reported that Trent and Andy Groff's University of Delaware
team lost their playoff game with the University of Richmond.  I sent Trent
an e-mail expressing my sympathy at his loss.

   I hung around home until my family got home from church.  I gave Noah
and Connor hugs and kisses before I left.  I said my good byes with the
rest of my family.  I had promised Christian I would pick him up in Manheim
at 1:30, so I had to hit the road.

   The weather was good and the roads were clear.  The drive to Manheim and
then to State College was routine.  Christian refused to bet on the outcome
of the Wolverines vs.  Central game.  He no longer felt comfortable with
his team's chances.

   Chapter 9

   =========

   My room was dark when I got back to it late in the afternoon.  Damian
hadn't returned from Erie yet.  I settled into my home away from home.  I
went over to train at the Lasch Building after dinner.  Damian was in when
I returned.

   I asked, "How was your holiday?"

   "Excellent.  How about you?"

   "I watched my high school team win their playoff game.  I went to a
party last night and got laid.  I got to visit with my family.  It was a
nice trip home."

   Damian laughed.  "It sounds like you are describing my weekend.  We had
a nice family dinner on Thursday.  The Colonels beat our arch-nemesis
Thomas Jefferson Saturday afternoon.  I met a friend from high school last
night.  We screwed ourselves silly.  It was a hell of a time."

   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   The final two weeks of classes for the fall semester flew by.  I had
three more compositions for my Rhetoric class.  Dr.  Henderson assigned us
term papers on student motivation for his class.  I had a term paper on the
Battle of Monterey due in History 1.

   Kevin Lee was pleased by the work I did on my holiday weekend for Math
110.  He checked over the assigned homework each tutoring session and then
assigned me extra problems to work before the next session.  I finally felt
confident that I could do well enough on the final exam to pass the course
and keep my academic eligibility to play football.

   The coaches kept our first week of practice after the holiday light.  We
all had an assortment of cuts, scrapes, bruises, contusions and strains to
heal.  The whirlpools and sauna got a good workout as we healed ourselves.
We concentrated on the basics of football.

   Coach Burton wanted everyone to concentrate on the mental aspects of the
upcoming game against USC.  The special teams players would have an extra
film study session every Tuesday evening after dinner.  Coach Ferguson
promised us that he'd arrange for pizza and other munchies to snack on
while we analyzed the film we had of USC from last season and this season.
Coach Adams had a similar film study session planned for all wide receivers
on Thursday evening.  I was pleased with the plans.  It was going to be
nice to have a whole month to prepare for our next opponent.

   Wednesday night after Damian and I turned out the lights for bed I got
horny.  Memories of my night with Johara two years ago popped into my head
as I stroked my erection.  I stroked harder as I remembered the soft
breasts I had suckled while we shared our bodies.  I swore as I came that I
would get together with Johara over the weekend to repeat that
unforgettable night.  I decided to get Johara's phone number from Zack the
next day and call and arrange a date with her for Saturday night.

   Zack gave me her phone number when I talked with him on Thursday.  He
also invited me to sit in on the film study session the QBs had planned on
Friday evening.  I accepted the invitation.  I was mostly caught up with my
homework.  The more I learned about football from Zack, Jeremiah and the
other QBs, the better for my future with the team.

   I called Johara after dinner Thursday evening.  She was pleased to hear
from me.  We agreed to go out for dinner together Saturday night, stop by a
frat party she was invited to for some dancing and then to go back to her
apartment for the night.

   Friday night's QB film study session was fun.  I joined Coach Peterson,
Zack, Jeremiah, Glenn, Colin and Jay in breaking down USC's defense.  Bo
Cherry and Evan Foster joined us too.  I learned a lot watching them work.
I thought I knew about breaking down video, but I knew nothing compared to
the way Zack and the others studied.  I decided that I would join in their
study sessions any time I was invited.  It had been a graduate level course
when compared to the elementary school level of film study I had done in
the past.

   I got to sleep late on Saturday morning.  I finished my last English
composition before lunch.  My history term paper on the Battle of Monterey
was done by late afternoon.  I included a brief account of the local
Lancaster County West Point graduate who had commanded the howitzers that
breached the city walls.  He had been brevetted to major for his gallantry.
His efforts made the storming of the city possible.  He was born, raised
and buried a few miles from my house.

   I showered, shaved and changed into some nice clothes for my evening
out. I stuffed four condoms in my pants pocket before I left as I was not
interested in playing sperm roulette with Johara.

   I drove over to Johara's apartment.  We went to a little Italian
restaurant that Johara told me about.  It was a family place that served
authentic Italian fare, not the usual franchised fare.  The food was
delicious.  Johara and I got to know each other better.

   The Safays had emigrated from Lebanon during the civil war in the early
80's.  Johara went back every summer to visit her grandmother and two
uncles who still lived outside Beirut.  I was interested to hear about her
family's experiences as they were caught in the fighting between the
Palestinians, Syrians and the Phalangists.

   We headed to the frat party after dinner.  I was recognized by some of
the brothers.  Johara waited patiently while I answered questions about our
football team and told a couple stories to entertain them.

   Johara and I eventually got free to get drinks and do some dancing. 
Johara was a good dancer.  We spent an hour and half dancing with a couple
breaks for beers.  Around ten o'clock Johara suggested that we head back to
her apartment.

   I followed Johara inside her apartment when we got there.  Two girls
were in the living room watching TV when we got back.  Johara introduced
us. "Kyle, these are my roommates - Nicole..." The blond haired knock-out
smiled and waved to me.  "... and this is Kathy." The brunette gave me a
1000 watt smile.  "Girls, this is my friend Kyle Martin."

   "Hi." "Hi Kyle, it's nice to meet you," The girls answered.

   "Nice to meet you too," I responded.

   Kathy asked, "Are you the kick returner Kyle Martin?"

   "That's me." I acknowledged.  I'm sure the `Property of Penn State
Football' sweatshirt gave her a big clue.

   "I loved what you did this season.  You've made watching returns fun."

   "Thanks.  I had a lot of help...." I explained.

   Johara interrupted me.  "Kyle and I are going to my room."

   The girls yelled "Call if she doesn't satisfy you Kyle.  We'll be happy
to help out." I smiled to myself and waved as I followed Johara back the
hallway to her room.  Johara locked the door behind us.

   Johara and I stripped down to panties and boxers.  She carefully laid
our clothes on the chair in her room.  She motioned me to sit on her bed.
We lay down on the bed, hugged and began kissing.  Kissing Johara was every
bit as sweet now as it had been two years ago.  Blood rushed south and
engorged my manhood.  My hardness bulged my boxers out, pressing into
Johara's thigh.  Johara squirmed so her legs rubbed it.

   I turned my attention to her firm, curvaceous breasts.  I used my lips,
tongue and fingers to heighten Johara's craving for sexual union.  She
demanded I give her sweet pussy lip service after a few minutes.  The two
of us shed our last bits of clothing.

   Johara lay on her back in the center of the bed, spreading her long legs
apart to make room for me.  I moved in between her legs to dine at the Y.
Her womanhood was shaved completely bare.  I knew Johara was a senior,
probably 21 or 22 years old.  Her tall slender build and bare pussy made
her look more like she was 13 or 14 years old.

   I used a finger to spread her lubrication around and then dove in with
my tongue.  I took my time licking, touching and teasing her womanhood.  I
wanted to make this night memorable for Johara.  My ability at tongue
fucking was the principal reason I was invited back to her bed.  Her heavy
breathing and low moans told me I was doing my work to her satisfaction.  I
wormed two fingers into her sloppy hole when I felt she was close to
climax. Turning my palm up, I rubbed her G-spot gently while I licked
around her clitoris.

   This combination tipped her over the crest and Johara shrieked and
convulsed into the throes of orgasm.  I leaned back and watched my lover
shake as she rode her orgasm through to conclusion.  Johara pulled me up
beside her again when she recovered.  We kissed for a minute or so.

   Johara reached between us, grasped my hard shaft and positioned it at
her opening.  "Fuck me Kyle," she demanded.  "I'm ready."

   "Um....  It might be better if you got me off before we fuck.  I'll last
longer that way," I suggested.

   "Sure, I can do that Kyle." She pushed me on my back, leaned over me and
licked down my seven inch shaft.  I shuddered from the feel of her tongue
bathing my cock.  Johara proceeded to blow every circuit in my brain as she
gave me head.  Without doubt, she was the most talented lady who ever gave
me fellatio.  I spewed gobs of cum down her throat when she took all seven
inches in her warm mouth and down her throat.  I collapsed in a heap on her
bed.

   Johara cuddled with and kissed me while I recovered.  I returned the
kisses when I was able.  Johara used one hand to tease my cock back to
hardness.  She rolled on top of me as we continued our deep kissing.  She
rocked her body on top of me, stimulating my cock further.  I was hard as
steel in moments.

   Johara rolled on her back beside me and said, "Fuck me Kyle.  I want you
now."

   I climbed out of bed and headed over to my pants.  Johara asked, "What
are you doing?"

   "I'm getting a condom."

   "You don't need them Kyle.  We'll be fine without it."

   "My brother got his girlfriend pregnant last year.  I've become much
more careful since then, I'd rather use it." I said.

   Johara said, "I like it better bare Kyle."

   "I do too but we're going to be safe anyway," I said as I rolled the
latex over my erection.  "What's your favorite position?"

   "Missionary is a good start." Johara answered.  She pulled her knees up
to her chest and split them apart to provide me with access.  I grabbed her
ankles, put them on my shoulders and then positioned my cock at her
opening. I thrust my cock into her, penetrating to the bottom of her pussy.

   Johara caressed my chest, sides and nipples as I pumped in and out of
her velvet tunnel.  I used all the skill I had learned over the last four
years to pleasure Johara.  She had another orgasm while we coupled.  I
continued humping her through that climax.  Johara demanded that I pound
her a couple minutes later.  I was close to climax myself.  My thrusts
pushed her over the edge again.  She came with a scream and I was right
behind her.  I pumped a couple more times and then planted my cock as deep
as possible.  It squirted spurts of my sperm into my latex sheath.  I let
Johara's ankles slide off my shoulders, rolled and collapsed beside my
lover.

   I was barely aware of her kisses and murmurs as I regained my senses. 
"That was great sweetie." She kissed my twice on the cheeks and then on the
lips, saying "I remembered you were very good in bed, but ....  that was a
damn sight better than I expected."

   I murmured, "Thanks, you're pretty special too."

   We cuddled together and kissed for a bit.  Johara wasn't done for the
night.  She was like a lioness on a freshly killed gazelle.  She wanted me
to do her anally our second time.  She had me hard in an instant.  I barely
had time to cover my cock with a condom before she sank down on it.  She
rode me for all I was worth - about ten minutes.  She finally stopped
rocking on my cock when I fired off and wilted.

   She went down the hall to clean up while I lay flat on the bed, trying
to recover my wits and my breath.  I used her frilly bathrobe to go to the
bathroom to clean myself up when she came back.

   Johara was still in heat when I got back.  We kissed for awhile and I
played with her tits, trying to satisfy her lust.  Johara played with my
cock to try to get me hard for another round.  That only got me semi-erect.
She went down on me to bring me to satisfactory hardness for her plans.

   Johara pushed me down on my back and mounted me again, vaginally this
time.  She impaled herself, rocked back and forth and rose again.  She rode
me for a long time since after two cums already, I was not very sensitive.
I played with her tits for awhile and then switched to playing with her
clitoris.  Johara fucked herself on me through a couple orgasms.  My poor
abused cock finally shot off a weak load of semen into the condom.  I
wilted immediately and fell out of her.

   Johara collapsed on me.  I held her while the two of us recovered. 
Johara said to me, "You were fantastic sweetie.  Do you want to spend the
night?"

   "Sure, I'd like that." I answered.  I climbed out of bed, deposited the
used condom in the trash and rejoined Johara.  We spooned together.  Our
sexual marathon had drained me.  I fell asleep immediately.

   ----------------------------------------------------

   In the shadowy state between sleep and consciousness, I found myself
cuddled with my lover.  My hand was resting on something soft and warm.  I
squeezed.  It was soft, pliable and fit comfortably in my hand.  I rubbed
my thumb across it.  Nipple!  It was a breast.  I caressed it again.  My
cock inflated as I thought about making love to her.

   I pressed myself against her back and kissed her shoulder.  I opened my
eyes and kissed Penny again.  That is when I realized.  I wasn't with
Penny. The skin was a couple shades darker than me after a summer of life
guarding.  I was at college.  Penny and I had broken up.  I was with.... 
who?

   I scanned the room for clues.  Slowly my brain returned to conscious
thought.  Johara - Johara Safay, I was at her apartment.

   "Don't stop Kyle.  That's nice." Johara said.  I caressed her boob
again. She squirmed until she trapped my erection between the soft globes
of her backside.

   I sighed.  I'd prefer to be cuddled against my lover... my <former>
lover Penny Edwards.  What the hell?  Sex was sex.  I was about to get a
little more if I kept Johara satisfied.  I rolled away for a second,
grabbed my last condom, and rolled it over my erection.

   We shared our bodies with each other lying on our sides.  It was a nice
position to use first thing in the morning.  My cock was fully embedded in
Johara's pussy, but I had to move slowly.  I played with her tits was we
humped together.  She used a free hand to tease her clitoris while we
fucked.  Johara's orgasm was too much for me.  I blasted a big load of
sperm into the sheath of latex protecting us.

   Johara made me coffee, bacon and eggs before I headed for home.  Kathy
and Nicole teased us about all the noise we made last night.  I accepted it
with good grace.  Nicole whispered to me, "If Johara isn't available Kyle,
look me up.  I'm sure we could have some fun." I just nodded that I
understood.

   I gave Johara a kiss and a hug before I left.  Johara reminded me, "Let
me know when you want to get together again.  I'd like to see you again
sometime Kyle."

   "I'd like that too." I answered.

   It was after 10 am on Sunday morning.  The walk back to campus and my
dorm room gave me time to think.  Last night had been fun.  The sex was
satisfying.  Was it enough?

   My early morning dream of waking up beside Penny reminded me of what I
was missing.  Penny most of all.  I needed someone to confide in; someone
to share my day with; someone to share my life with.

   I knew I wouldn't have a chance to rebuild what Penny and I once had. 
Our brief meeting last weekend convinced me of that.  I needed to find
someone who wanted the same things.  Hopping from bed to bed on weekends
was fun for awhile but I wanted more.  I wanted a girlfriend.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   I finally checked my e-mail on Sunday afternoon.  Andy wrote me that the
Wolverines had pulled out a win against Central in their playoff game on
Saturday afternoon.  The score was 27-20.  Andy caught two touchdowns,
including the winning TD with four minutes to go in the game.  The win
secured the division championship for my old team.  Chip's Unionville team
beat Strath Haven to take the southeast Pa.  division.  The Wolverines
would play Unionville at 1 pm the following Saturday.

   Most of the team watched the bowl bids telecast on TV in the player's
lounge at the Lasch Building on Sunday night.  There weren't many surprises
in the line up.  Michigan would play Notre Dame on January 8th for the BCS
Championship in Pasadena.  My friend Jeremy North would be there.  I would
need to warn Jeremy about William Johnson.  I didn't want my buddy
flattened by a 300 pound human battering ram.

   We received the expected invitation to play USC at the Rose Bowl on
January 1st.  The University of Florida would play Ohio State at the
Outback bowl.  My best friend Ed Fritz would be sitting on the bench at
that game.  Rutgers was playing Wake Forest in the Meineke Care Bowl on
December 29th.  My friend Hal Long was the back-up kicker for Rutgers.  My
high school teammate Drew McCormick would be returning punts for West
Virginia in their game against Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl on January
1st.

   Chelsea Walters and I talked after EDPSY on Monday afternoon.  We
decided to get together with Josh Bruno, Tara Rhodes and Chad King that
evening to start studying for next week's finals in that class.  Chad was
friends with Josh, my freshman teammate.  Tara lived on the fourth floor in
Hoyt Hall, the same as Chelsea.

   Our coaches went over our game plan for USC in the Rose Bowl.  Coach
Adams gave me half a dozen new plays to learn.  I was pleased.  It looked
like I was going to be able to get on the field for more than returns.  I
made sure I learned them before practice on Tuesday.

   Chelsea and Tara invited us to meet for our study session in the study
lounge on their floor in Hoyt Hall.  That was good for Josh and me.  Hoyt
is in South Halls, just south of Pollock Halls.  Chad had further to go. 
He lived in Tener Hall, across the road from the East Parking Deck.  The
five us started with the first lectures at the beginning of the semester
and worked our way through the semester's material.  We agreed to meet
again on Thursday night and again on Sunday afternoon.  Dr.  Henderson
promised that over half of the final would be from the lectures, not the
reading for the course.

   Most of my professors used the last class or two to review the
information for the finals.  My week was filled with studying and then more
studying interspersed with football practice, team meetings, position
meetings and film study.

   I missed big news when I was at my study session on Thursday night.  I
came back to find the fourth floor of Hartranft in chaos.  Trevor Conwell
greeted me as I got off the elevator.  Trevor gushed, "You missed the
awards show on ESPN.  Our team placed four guys on the all-American team!"

   "You're kidding!  That's great.  I know Antwaan and Aaron were two of
them.  Was Pete or Karol on the team?" I asked.

   "Think guys on this floor." Trevor said.

   "Damn!  Pete got it?  That's great.  We have an all-American on our
floor." I answered.

   Trevor grinned and nodded no.  He held up two fingers.  I looked at him
questioningly.  "You.  You made all-American as our kicker returner."

   I gulped.  This was stunning.  Trevor yelled, "Hey guys!  Kyle's back."
My teammates and dorm mates poured out of Pete's room and mobbed me.  I was
swamped by back slaps, pats on the shoulder and shouted congratulations.

   When things calmed down a little I got a chance to talk with Pete. 
"Congratulations on the honor Pete.  You certainly earned it."

   Pete responded, "You earned yours too Kyle.  You did a hell of a job
this season."

   "I didn't even know they had all-American honors for kick returners." I
said.

   "They do." Pete answered.

   I headed back to my room after the celebrants went back to their rooms.
Damian finally was able to talk with me.  "Congrats roomie.  This is
fantastic."

   "I still can't believe it.  Surely someone else should have earned
this." I said.

   "I looked up the stats on-line this evening.  You lead the nation with
your 37 yards per return.  The next guy on the list is at 35 yards a
return. Six returners have more yards than you.  All of them play for bad
teams.  You have 2.4 returns per game.  The other guys have 3-4 returns per
game.  You earned this buddy." Damian said.

   "I couldn't have done any of this without your blocking.  You and the
other guys on special teams made this possible.  Thanks for everything."

   I checked the awards list on-line.  The guys hadn't given me the full
story.  In my mind the biggest award on the list was Antwaan Booker's.  He
won the Outland Trophy for the outstanding lineman in the country.  Aaron
Morano had won the Jim Thorpe Award for the outstanding defensive back in
the country.  My teammates fully deserved their accolades.

   I made a point of congratulating Aaron and Antwaan at practice on
Friday. Students were congratulating me all day on the honors I had
received.  I was still a little in shock.  An all-American as a freshman.
I'd never dreamed that such a thing was possible.

   I found out a couple days later that there are a lot of all-American
lists in the country.  I made the Walter Camp Foundation list.  Football
writers had one of their own.  The AP had one.  There was a list voted on
by college coaches.  Even so, making any of these lists as a freshman was
shocking and also pretty cool.

   I sent off an e-mail to Dad.  I warned him that there was going to be a
big charge on my credit card bill later in the month.  I was going to take
the special teamers who worked with me on kick returns to dinner.  I owed
them for all their help and they needed to know I appreciated their work.

   Zack acted like a proud papa at practice on Friday as he reminded people
about my honor.  He also complimented me on Friday on how I ran my routes
on the six pass plays I practiced with the first string.  That felt good.
Hopefully Coach Adams and Coach Schroeder would agree with Zack.

   I had planned to spend Saturday studying for finals.  Zack, Aaron and
Trevor practically kidnapped me and dragged me off to the Wolverines vs. 
Unionville semi-final championship game in Hershey.  Trevor and I made a
friendly wager on the result of the game.  Winner does laundry for the
loser for two weeks when the spring semester starts.

   I took my Poly Sci notes and textbook along.  Trev and I studied while
Zack drove us southeast to Hershey.  We arrived just before the opening
kickoff.

   We looked for seats among the Wolverines fans.  Trevor split to sit with
his friends on the opposite side of the field.  We bumped into my sister
Liz and her boyfriend Nick Hoover.  Liz pointed out where Mom and Dad were
sitting.  We found seats near my parents.

   The game was fascinating for discerning fans to watch.  Chip's team had
an excellent offense and a strong defense.  The Wolverines were an
excellent team too.  Zack, Aaron and I dissected the plays as we watched
the two teams struggle.

   The Wolverines took the opening kickoff and scored on a six play drive.
Jake capped the drive off with a deep pass to my brother, who broke a
couple tackles and carried the ball into the end zone.  Unionville answered
with a touchdown of their own.  We watched the two teams march up and down
the field.

   One of the differences I noticed from last year's game was that our team
could protect Jake.  Last year Trevor Conwell had sacked and pressured Ed
unmercifully.  It was a promising development for our team.

   The score was tied at 17 as the game neared halftime.  Unionville had
the ball and was driving for our end zone.  Our team demonstrated the
second difference from our game last year.  Tex Johanson and Brett Fulmer
were first year starters at cornerback then.  Now they were much more
experienced.  They covered the wide receivers too tight to allow deep
completions.  Chip kept the drive moving with dump offs to the running
backs and tight end.  Unionville got closer to scoring position as time ran
out.

   Unionville had the ball on our 22 yard line with 27 seconds to go.  Chip
sent his receivers deep for the end zone.  Tex played off his guy more than
usual.  At the snap he appeared to hesitate.  Chips spotted the "error"
instantly and launched the ball for the corner of the end zone, expecting
Tex wouldn't be able to recover in time.  Tex not only recovered, he used
his speed to beat the receiver into position, jumped and intercepted the
ball.  It was an amazing feat.  Our side of the stadium roared its
approval.

   Aaron marveled, "That kid has game.  Damn!  I don't know if I could have
done that."

   I countered, "Tex is an excellent corner.  I worked against him every
day in practice last season."

   "Who's recruiting him?" Aaron asked.

   "No one, Tex is a junior." I explained.

   "A junior?  Damn, I'm going to make sure [secondary] Coach Schneider
knows about him.  He needs to be on our list.  That kid has Division I
written all over him." Aaron said.

   The Wolverines were satisfied to let the clock run out and go into the
locker room tied.  The second half brought more of the tensely fought close
scoring football.  Unionville scored on a long drive when they got the
second half kickoff.  The Wolverines answered with a long touchdown drive
of their own to bring the score back to a 24-24 tie.

   Chip drove his down the field again for another touchdown.  The
Wolverines responded with a long drive.  Unfortunately it broke down in the
red zone.  Jake Kring threw a pass into the left corner of the end zone. 
Unionville's CB made a play on the ball, taking it from Jason Harting. 
Jason managed to strip the ball away before either kid landed on the
ground. Our team settled for a field goal.  Score: 31-27 Unionville.

   Unionville drove down the field again, trying to extend their lead. 
Unionville drove down into our red zone again before bogging down.  On
third and eight at our 16 yard line, Coach Wyndham, our defensive
coordinator, called for a delay blitz.  Our free safety, Patrick Jones, was
brilliant.  He timed his blitz perfectly, waiting to start until all
blockers had been engaged.  He blitzed in from Chip's blind side and sacked
him for a 12 yard loss.  Unionville settled for a field goal.  Score: 34-27
Unionville.

   Time was running out in the fourth quarter and my friends needed to
score.  Jake Kring started them off down the field again.  Unionville's
defense stiffened as the field got shorter.  Andy made a couple good
catches on the drive.  They drove down to Unionville's 21 yard line.

   I recognized the next play as it started.  It was the crossing play that
Ed, Pete and I ran last year.  Jason Harting was filling my role.  Ryan
Anderson was in Pete's TE spot.  It was a pick... uh, a crossing play where
Jason and Ryan's paths crossed.  Hopefully the defensive backs got tangled
up with each other and someone came open.

   I watched as Unionville's defenders, who were prepared for the play,
avoided each other and followed their assigned receiver.  Jake looked off
Jason, checked Ryan and finally looked across the field for his safety
valve - my brother Andy.  I was impressed.  It was a sign of Jake's
maturity as a quarterback.  Young guys usually can't look past the first or
second receiver.  Jake fired the ball to Andy, who was around the sixteen
yard line.  Andy caught the ball, spun right away from the d-back and ran
for the end zone.  Andy lowered his shoulder as the free safety came up to
tackle him.  Andy bowled him over and kept going.  He carried the ball into
the end zone.  The Wolverines made the PAT to tie the game again at 34.

   I was impressed by my brother's development as a wide receiver.  He
didn't use simple speed anymore to get catches.  He had some fakes and
jukes to improve his route running.  He didn't mind getting physical when
necessary.  Andy wanted that touchdown and was not going to be denied.

   Unionville wasn't able to score before the fourth quarter ended.  The
game went into high school style overtime.  Each team each had one
possession at the 25 yard line.  If the score was still tied after the
first OT, a second period, a third period, etc.  would happen.

   Unionville won the coin toss and had first possession in OT.  Chip ran
four plays and drove his team down to our 8 yard line.  Our defensive backs
stopped three straight pass plays into the end zone.  Unionville had to
settle for a field goal.  Score: 37-34 Unionville

   The Wolverines answered with a couple runs up the middle.  On the third
play Jake handed off to Marcus Shaeffer, our tailback.  Marcus took two
steps towards the line of scrimmage, turned and tossed the ball back to
Jake.

   Our team had a flea flicker play now.  I'd never seen us run that play
in my four years.  It shocked Unionville too.  Coach Caffrey always seemed
to have a trick or two up his sleeve to keep our team moving when ever it
was needed.

   Jake cocked his arm and fired the ball down the field to Andy, as he
slanted across the field.  Andy broke the first tackle and then muscled his
way into the end zone dragging a safety with him.

   The Wolverines side of the field broke into cheers to celebrate our
victory.  Most of the fans flooded the field to congratulate our heroes. 
Zack, Aaron and I went around congratulating my friends on the Wolverine
team.

   Zack and I congratulated Jake when we found him.  Jake let us know that
he was announcing his commitment to Syracuse in a few days.  I told him I
hoped it worked out for him.

   Aaron stopped us so he could talk with Tex.  Tex glowed as Aaron praised
his technique.  His pleasure was doubled by the fact that Aaron, a sure NFL
first round cornerback pick, was doing the praising.

   Andy was celebrating with my family when we finally found him.  Zack,
Aaron and I all congratulated Andy on a spectacular day.  He caught 8
passes for 178 yards and 3 touchdowns.  As I left I told Mom and Dad, "I'll
see you next Saturday."

   Mom asked, "Are you going to be able to get free again Kyle?"

   I answered, "I think so.  Finals will be done.  We don't leave for LA
until Tuesday."

   I looked to Zack.  He confirmed, "We probably will be able to get free."

   "Good.  I'll be here next Saturday" I said.

   Dad said, "Good luck on your finals son."

   "Thanks Dad." I said.  Zack, Aaron and I went off to find Trevor and
Chip Brinton, if we could.  Trevor was talking with a couple of the
Unionville coaches.  Trevor joined us as we searched for Chip.

   We found him talking with one of the cheerleaders.  Chip looked somber.
He asked, "You guys come to rub it in?"

   Zack said, "No way man."

   I added, "We wouldn't do that.  Anyway, you aren't an Indian anymore. 
You're a Nittany Lion now - our teammate.  I'm looking forward to playing
with you next season."

   Chip looked at me blankly for a few seconds.  Finally he said, "Yeah...
I guess I'm not an Indian anymore.  How'd that happen so fast?" I knew
exactly how he felt.

   Zack, Aaron, Trevor and I talked with Chip for a few minutes before he
had to leave.  His coaches were gathering up the team for their final
remarks in the locker room and then their long bus trip back to southern
Chester County.

   We took off for State College after the teams went to the locker room.
We stopped in Lewistown for some dinner and then returned to campus.  I
spent the rest of the evening studying for the Math 110 final.

   Damian was downcast when he came back to our room later that night.  I
asked, "What's up?"

   "My high school team lost their playoff game this afternoon.  A bunch of
damn upstarts from Selinsgrove knocked'em off in the semis." Damian gave me
half a smile.  "I guess our bet is off for the championship game."

   I had offered Damian the same bet I made with Christian and Trevor.  I
answered, "It's OK.  I already have someone to do my laundry.  I suckered
Trevor into betting on today's game.  My Wolverines beat his team in the
semis today.  I guess we'll be facing Selinsgrove next Saturday."

   "I'll root for your team in that game.  I hope they kick those suckers'
butts next weekend." Damian responded.

   --------------------------------------------------

   Penn State had all finals spread over the next week.  My Poly Sci 1
final was on Monday at 10:10 am.  Tuesday I had English 15 at 8 am and
History 1 at 2:30 pm.  I didn't have any finals on Wednesday.  Thursday
brought the one that scared me the most.  Math 110 was at 10:10 am.  Friday
morning at 10:10 am was Dr.  Henderson's EDPSY 14 final.

   I spent most of my available time studying for my finals.  Our coaches
were merciful.  They kept practice short and didn't schedule meetings in
the evenings.  Unlike some of my friends, I didn't pull any all-nighters
studying.  I've always been good at taking tests.  I felt it was more
important to be well rested then to spend the night trying to cram every
last fact into my head.

   The Poly Sci, History and English finals were easy.  I met with Kevin
Lee each afternoon to work more problems for the Math 110 final.  Tuesday
afternoon he gave me a long list of problems to work on Wednesday morning.
In the afternoon I met with Kevin.  He checked my work and was very pleased
with me work.  I had made very few mistakes on my work.  He told me I was
ready to go.

   Thursday morning proved Kevin was right.  I was confident about most of
the problems on the Math final.  I did have trouble with a couple, but they
weren't going to bring my grade down to the point that I would fail the
course.

   I met Josh Bruno, Chelsea Walters, Tara Rhodes and Chad King for a final
study session in EDPSY.  We spent three hours on Thursday afternoon
reviewing notes and readings.  We fired questions off to each other.  All
of us were ready for Friday's final.

   Chelsea and I got together after dinner for more review.  We met at her
room, 402 Hoyt Hall.  We spent a couple hours reviewing for the test. 
Chelsea's roommate Rachel packed and left for the semester while we
studied. It must be nice to have all your finals early.  Not that it would
have done me any good.  The football team was staying on campus until we
departed on Christmas Eve morning for southern California.

   I had fun working with Chelsea.  My hormones started to react to her
proximity.  Chelsea and I had been interested in going to bed together
earlier in the term before I broke up with Penny.  I wasn't interested in a
one night stand with Chelsea.  We had become good friends over the course
of the semester.  I decided to see if I could SLOWLY build a romantic
relationship with her - something that could last.

   Chelsea told me she wasn't leaving until Saturday morning.  She was
catching a ride back to Scranton with a friend who had the worst possible
final schedule.  Her last final started at 6:50 pm in Friday evening.

   I decided to take a chance.  I asked, "Chelsea, since you're stuck here
on Friday night like me, would you like to go to dinner and a movie with
me? It'd be fun."

   "Are you asking me for a date Kyle?" she asked.

   "Sure." I replied.  "It'd be a date.  Is that OK?"

   Chelsea smiled and answered, "I'd enjoy that Kyle.  A date would be
fun."

   I got the impression that Chelsea was interested in more than simple
friendship between us too.  This could be a very good move for me.

   Friday's EDPSY final turned out to be easy.  I was totally prepared.  I
finished half an hour before the scheduled end of the test.  I went over
all the questions and checked my answers.  That only took another fifteen
minutes.  I got up, turned my test and answer sheet in to the proctor and
went outside.  I hung out until Chelsea finished.  She came out with the
crowd when the period was over.

   Chelsea asked, "What in the world happened with you?  Why did you leave
early?"

   "I was finished." I said with a shrug.  "What's the point of sitting
around when you're done?"

   Chelsea said, "I would never have the nerve to walk out before the test
is over.  I'd have to check everything again."

   "I did." I insisted.  "It's no big deal.  I'm good at taking tests. 
I've done this all my life."

   Chelsea asked, "What time are you picking me up tonight Kyle?"

   "Is 5:30 good?" I asked.

   We agreed.  I'd pick her up at her room at 5:30 then we'd head downtown,
get dinner and then catch the movie.  I showered, shaved and dressed up for
my date.  Damian noticed.  He asked, "What's up tonight?"

   "I've got a date - dinner and a movie," I replied.

   Damian teased, "I presume I shouldn't wait up for you tonight."

   "No.  I don't expect it to be that kind of date.  I hope this lasts a
lot longer than one night." I explained.  "What are you doing tonight?"

   "I'm heading over to the player's lounge at the Lasch Building.  I'll
probably play some pool or foosball.  Maybe take on somebody in Madden
NFL."

   "Have fun Damian.  I'll see you later."

   I headed across the quad towards South Halls.  Chelsea was ready to go.
We headed for College Avenue.  I asked, "How does Spats' Café sound?"
Anders Voight had suggested it to me.  He said it was a fancier place to
take a date and that they had good Cajun food.

   "I've heard it's good.  I haven't eaten there." Chelsea answered.

   "Let's go find out if they can cook real Cajun," I said.  We walked a
few blocks south on College Avenue until we got to the restaurant.  The
restaurant wasn't crowded.  Most of the students had left town or were in
the process of leaving now.

   The hostess seated us near the front window that overlooked College
Avenue and the stone wall below Old Main.  Chelsea and I looked over the
menu.  Chelsea asked, "Have you had Cajun before?  What do you recommend?"

   "I had it down in Baton Rouge last fall," I replied.  "I had Jambalaya.
It was very good.  My friend's dad had Etouffee.  He raved about it.  My
dad and my friend had Red Beans and Rice."

   We talked about the selections for a few minutes.  I described the
Jambalaya I had last year on my LSU visit.  Chelsea decided to try it.  I
chose the Etouffee.  The waitress took our order and delivered the drinks.

   Chelsea and I talked, getting to know each other better.  We talked
about music.  Chelsea had studied ballet throughout middle and high school.
She loved classical music and some jazz.  My tastes are quite different.  I
grew up enjoying my parent's classic rock (Beatles, Springsteen, Clapton,
Eagles, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac, etc.).  I enjoy some of the current pop
rock too.  Chelsea told me about how much she enjoyed going to the opera
with her uncle back in Philadelphia.

   I told Chelsea about my time in Boy Scouts.  I described my trips to
Algonquin Provincial Park for 8 day wilderness canoe trips.  I could see by
her reaction to my stories that she wasn't into camping.  Chelsea told me
about her one experience camping.  She hated the bugs, the dirt, and the
whole primitive living aspect.

   Our food arrived while we talked about my love of the outdoors.  Chelsea
tentatively tasted her Jambalaya.  She was pleased with the dish.  My
Crawfish and Shrimp Etouffee was delicious.

   Chelsea was enthusiastic when I told her about my summer job.  She
thought it was so cool that I had spent the last four summers teaching. 
Her only experience doing anything like teaching was tutoring a third
grader a couple years ago.  Chelsea told me she wanted to teach either
elementary or middle school kids.  She thought teaching high school kids
would be too scary.  I assured her that it was easy.  I had been doing it
for years.

   We continued our conversation as we ate our dinner.  The food was good
and the company was enjoyable.  Chelsea was an excellent conversationalist.
She seemed to enjoy my company.

   The waitress delivered the bill when we finished our meal.  The meal
cost more than I had wanted to spend.  I charged the bill on my credit
card. I was going to need to see about finding some sort of job next term.
It would take me years to pay off my debt to Dad at the rate it was piling
up.  Did the Natatorium still need lifeguards?

   Chelsea and I held hands as we walked down College Avenue to the movie
theater.  I bought us drinks and popcorn to enjoy during the movie.  We
found seats and made ourselves comfortable.  Chelsea leaned against me as
soon as we got settled.  I put my arm over her shoulder.

   The movie got started.  It was good but not great.  I felt comfortable
sharing this closeness with Chelsea.  Her perfume got my little head's
attention.  I unsuccessfully fought my cock's intent to become erect.

   My little head said my date with Chelsea was going great and that she
was primed to let me take her to bed tonight.  She was hot, a sweet thing
and would love a ride on my rod.

   `Down boy,' I thought, suppressing my rougher self's evaluation of my
prospects with Chelsea.  My big head remembered how instrumental Chelsea
had been to me completing EDPSY successfully.  I wasn't interested in a
quick fuck tonight.  I was looking for a girl that I could share my life
with in the future.

   My big head reminded me that Chelsea and I didn't share that many common
interests beyond teaching and football.  I decided that Chelsea and I
probably didn't have a romantic future.  We just didn't have enough in
common to make it in the long run.  My little head screamed that I was
being an idiot.  `Take the girl to bed!  Everything would work out fine
after we screw.' I listened to my big head.

   I decided that I valued Chelsea's friendship too much to take her back
to her room.  We headed back to campus holding hands again.  When we got to
Hoyt Hall Chelsea suggested, "My roommate is gone.  I'd like it if you
spent the night with me Kyle."

   "I'm looking for more than just a one night stand," I replied.  "I
appreciate our friendship too much to demean it that way.  Our tastes and
interests, excepting football, are too different to build a relationship
on."

   "You don't think I'm pretty enough, do you?" she asked.

   "God no!  I would have jumped in bed with you before you could have
batted your eyes if you'd made this offer a few weeks ago.  I'm tired of
that scene.  I want to find a girl that I can build a future with." Chelsea
looked at me doubtfully, so I asked, "What would happen this spring if I
wanted to take you camping some weekend?"

   Chelsea crinkled her nose.  "Umm... I don't think I'd have much fun
outside in the dirty old woods."

   "Exactly.  I'd be bored to tears if you managed to coax me to go to an
art show or the ballet with you." Chelsea nodded.  "We're too different to
get involved romantically.  It's best if we stay friends and study
partners. Each of us needs to find someone more compatible for a serious
relationship."

   I gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.  "Don't ever think you aren't
drop dead gorgeous.  When that art loving, jazz crazy guy finds you, he's
going to be the luckiest guy in the world."

   Chelsea returned the hug and kissed me gently on the lips.  "I'm glad we
can be friends Kyle.  You're a pretty special guy yourself."

   We parted.  I headed back to Hartranft Hall alone - a little sadder, but
pleased that I could display a little maturity that my age said I should
have.

   ----------------------------------------------------------

   I did some film study on Saturday morning before meeting Zack and Aaron
for our trip to Hershey.  Damian asked to come with us.  He wanted to cheer
against Selinsgrove for knocking his high school team out of the playoffs
last weekend.  We welcomed anyone who would cheer for the Wolverines to our
group.  The weather was good and the drive down to Hershey was routine.  We
arrived at the stadium about 45 minutes before kickoff.

   The Wolverines' side of the stadium was crowded already.  We found seats
near my parents.  I talked with them while we waited for the start of the
game.  I proudly told them that I was sure I had done well on all my
finals.

   Tex Johanson had taken over running back kickoffs this season.  He made
a brilliant move on the return of the opening kickoff to score a touchdown
and put the Wolverines in the lead.  Damian's friends from home warned him
that Selinsgrove had a huge, dominating offensive line.  They used their
running game to beat Strong Vincent last weekend.  Damian summarized,
"Strap on your chin straps boys.  It's going to be a train wreck."

   Selinsgrove had a huge offensive line.  The program said three of them
were in the 285-300 pound range.  They were big enough that they would fit
in with Penn State's offensive line.  The Wolverines' defensive line didn't
give up much weight to them.  The best defensive tackle, Joey Keller, had
started on our team two years ago as a 260 pound sophomore.  He had grown
to over 300 pounds.  His line mates weren't much smaller.  If the Seals
wanted to try the power running game, that was fine with us.

   I expected my team to play to form - attack with a balanced mix of
passes and runs.  Andy's deep threat on passing plays usually loosened up
defenses to provide plenty of running room for our tailbacks - Marcus
Shaeffer and Cameron Ellis.

   Coach Caffrey shocked Zack and me.  The first six plays on offense were
all running plays.  We did mix up outside running - sweeps and pitches -
with running between the tackles.  Andy was sent deep most plays to decoy
defenders away from the point of attack.  It reminded me of Woody Hayes' `3
yards and a cloud of dust' offense from the 60's; except my team was
gaining four or five yards a play.

   Selinsgrove had to adjust, bringing up the safeties to help stop the
run. That was what Coach Caffrey was looking for.  Jake faked the hand-off
to Marcus on the seventh play.  Marcus dove into the center of the line. 
All of Selinsgrove's defenders except the one covering Andy crashed into
the center of the line to stop Marcus.  Jake brought the ball out of hiding
as Marcus appeared to be tackled, cocked his arm and launched a deep, deep
pass down the field to Andy.

   Andy was used to beating double and even triple coverage.  One guy was
nothing.  This time his speed was all that was required.  Andy sprinted
under the ball, caught it on the run and continued down the field
untouched. He carried the ball into the end zone to the cheers of the
Wolverine fans.  We made the PAT to put our lead at 14-0.

   In the first five minutes of the game Coach Caffrey had forced
Selinsgrove out of their offensive and defensive game plans.  It was a
brilliant piece of coaching.  The two teams traded touchdowns in the
remainder of the first half.  That was fine.  We took a 28-14 lead into the
locker room at half time.

   Selinsgrove came out fired up.  They changed up their game plan a little
too.  They felt pressure to make up the 14 point deficit and resorted to
passing.  This wasn't their team's strong suit.  The program said their QB
completed about 50% of his passes this season.  Their first drive of the
second half ended when Brett Fulmer picked off a hurried, poorly thrown
pass.  Brett ran the interception back down to Selinsgrove's 31 yard line.
The Seal's defense played with desperation.  They stopped our guys.  We
settled for a field goal to bring our lead to 31-14.

   Selinsgrove managed a touchdown in the third quarter.  We responded with
a deep bomb to my brother for another touchdown.  Coach Wyndham, our
defensive coordinator called blitz after blitz to harass their QB.  On
offense Jake handed off to Marcus and Cameron, satisfied to grind out yards
and burn the time off the clock.  Selinsgrove managed a desperation
touchdown late in the fourth quarter to bring the final score to 38-28 our
favor.

   The Wolverines fans roared their approval as the clock ticked down to
0:00.  They cheered and stormed the field to congratulate their team. 
Damian turned back to us and said, "Damn!  It must be fun when you win a
state championship."

   Aaron said, "Pine-Richland knocked us out the only opportunity my team
had to win the championship.  I don't know how it feels."

   Zack answered, "I wouldn't know either.  I never won one.  Someone's
team knocked us out of the playoffs my only chance at this." Zack pretended
to glare at Aaron and then gave him a wink.  Aaron's Berwick team had
knocked Zack and me out of the playoffs four years ago the week before they
lost to Pine-Richland.

   I added, "Don't look at me.  I was along for the ride two years ago.  I
never felt like that was my championship."

   Zack exclaimed, "What?  You were a key part of your team two years ago."

   "I blew out my ACL one third of the way into the season," I persisted.
"I didn't play one down in the playoffs."

   "Coach Caffrey told me how much you helped after you got hurt.  You
coached the guys that won it." Zack countered.

   "Is today's victory MY championship?" Pointing down at the field, "I
coached these guys too..." I pointed down at the field.  "... some for the
past four years.  Does that make this mine?  I don't think so.  I was just
a guy standing on the sidelines watching two years ago."

   Zack said, "We're going to have to make up for this in college.  Next
year....  Next year we will have to make up for it by winning the BCS
Championship.  I like our chances."

   Damian and I agreed.  BCS Championship next season, that was our goal.
We headed down onto the field to congratulate my Wolverine friends and
ex-teammates.

   We bumped into Tex Johanson first.  I slapped him on the back, saying
"Good work Tex.  Congratulations."

   Aaron added, "I was very impressed with how you played Michael.  Keep up
the good work.  I can see a big future for you when you get to college."
Aaron shook Tex's hand.

   I introduced Damian, Zack, Aaron and Tex.  We started on to find more of
my ex-teammates to congratulate.  Tex grabbed my arm and stopped me as the
other guys moved on.

   He asked, "Isn't Aaron Morano the cornerback on your team that won the
big award a couple weeks ago - the one for the best cornerback in the
country?"

   "Yep, that's Aaron, I replied.  "He won the Thorpe Award."

   "How does he know my name?" Tex wondered.

   I explained, "He was asking about you while we watched the game."

   "Do you think he meant it when he said I had a future in college
football?"

   "Of course.  Think about it Tex.  An all-American cornerback remembered
your name.  What does that tell you?"

   "I don't know.  Do you think Penn State is interested in me?"

   "Whoa, "I said, remembering Coach Burton's lecture on NCAA recruiting
rules.  "I can't answer that question.  First off, I'm an offensive player
and have absolutely no idea who the defensive coaches are looking at. 
Second, I'm a member of the team and you're a junior in high school.  I
would be breaking rules to talk to you about playing for Penn State.  Have
you gotten a hold of the NCAA recruiting rules yet?"

   "No." Tex replied.

   "You and your parents need to sit down with Coach Caffrey this winter
and learn about the college recruiting process.  Go on-line and download
the recruiting rules.  You need to know them." I gave Tex a wink.  "I can't
talk to you about coming to Penn State.  On the other hand, you can call
them anytime you want."

   "They wouldn't even know who I am," Tex said.

   "The best cornerback on the team made a point of learning your name," I
replied.  "They'll talk to you Tex.  Get ready, I expect you will have a
lot of coaches calling you next May when they are allowed to talk to you."

   "Thanks Kyle.  I'll check into this," Tex answered.

   I headed off to catch up to Zack, Aaron and Damian.  They were talking
with Jake Kring.  I congratulated him.  I introduced Damian to Marcus
Shaeffer and Cameron Ellis.  Damian complemented the guys on their running
during the game.  Marcus told us he was weighing offers from a couple
Division II colleges.  Cameron planned to follow his brother Pete into the
Army.

   We found Andy and the rest of my family after that.  Liz and her
boyfriend Nick were with my parents and brother.  Dad invited the four of
us to go to dinner with the rest of the family after the trophy
presentation and press conference.

   Zack, Aaron and Damian decided a free dinner with my family sounded like
fun.  We could catch up with the studying we were supposed to do today
tomorrow afternoon.  We watched the trophy presentation.  Jake Kring was
named MVP for the game.  Jake, Andy and Kenny Weaver hoisted the trophy
aloft to the cheers from our team and fans.  It was cool to watch my
brother up front for the presentation with Coach Caffrey, Jake and Kenny.

   Andy was the special teams captain this season.  He was the most senior
of the special teams players.  Tex, a junior too, was returning kicks this
season.  The kicker and punter were both sophomores.

   My family and friends found spots in the back of the press conference.
The scene was similar to two years ago with sixty or seventy reporters from
around the state firing questions at Coach Caffrey, Jake, Andy, and Kenny.
Tex, Brett, Joey and Marcus were there too.  They answered one or two
questions each.  The reporters finally ran out of questions after half an
hour.  Andy rejoined my family.

   Dad took us to a restaurant in Hershey for dinner.  Dad treated
everyone, including my friends.  I was glad Mom and Liz got to meet Damian.
They should know the person I'm rooming with.

   Mom and Dad were overwrought when it was time for me to leave.  Mom
hugged me three times as we tried to say good bye.  By the fifth kiss I
tried to break away from her embrace.

   Mom said, "Take care of my little boy Zack."

   "Mom!  I'm not little anymore!" I insisted.

   Zack soothingly replied, "I'll make sure Kyle stays out of trouble Mrs.
Martin."

   Mom wiped a tear from her eye.  "Merry Christmas boys.  Have fun in
California."

   Dad, Andy and Liz wished us a Merry Christmas as we headed out the door.
When we were outside I said, "Mom's not usually that bad."

   Aaron asked, "Is this the first time you missed Christmas with the
family?"

   "Yeah," I said automatically.  I thought for a moment.  "Actually it's
the first time any of us kids missed Christmas with the family."

   Zack said, "There.  That explains that.  You mom is missing `her little
boy'."

   Damian added, "I'm glad my parents got that done when I came back from
Thanksgiving."

   We piled into Zack's car and headed back to State College.  We were
north of Harrisburg when my cell phone rang.

   I flipped it open and answered, "Hello?"

   "Kyle?"

   "Yes," I replied wondering who was calling.

   "It's Johara," came the reply.  "I was wondering if you could get
together with me.  I need to talk with you."

   "Didn't you head for home yet?  I thought just about all the students
had left by now." I said.

   "No," she answered.  "I had an appointment this afternoon.  I'm leaving
in the morning.  That's why I need to see you soon."

   "What's up?  Can we do this over the phone?  Zack is driving Aaron, my
roommate Damian and me back from my brother's football game.  They just won
the state championship."

   "You're not in town?" Johara asked, meaning were we in State College.

   I explained, "We're somewhere between Harrisburg and Clark's Ferry on
Route 322.  We won't be back to campus until 9 pm."

   "Can you meet me when you get back?  This is something I need to talk
about face to face."

   "OK" I answered.

   "Can we meet at the State College Diner when you get back?" Johara
asked.

   "Sure.  I'll give you a call when we are closer to State College, say
around Lewistown.  Zack can drop me off at the dinner." Zack nodded yes to
my implied question.  "See you later."

   Aaron asked, "Who was that?"

   "Johara Safay." I answered.

   "She wants to meet you tonight?" Damian wondered aloud.

   I answered, "Yes.  I don't know what she wants."

   Zack said, "It's obvious good buddy.  She wants to bump fuzzies to say
good bye before Christmas break."

   I insisted, "I don't think so."

   My friends responded, "Kyle's getting nookie tonight." "I won't wait up
for you." "Gonna get you nuts cracked." I accepted the teasing in silence.

   An hour and a half later Zack pulled off the Mount Nittany Expressway
and headed west on College Avenue.  He dropped me off right in front of the
Diner.  I headed inside.  Johara was waiting for me in a booth.

   When I was settled Johara asked, "Do you want some coffee or dessert
Kyle?" She looked nervous.

   "No," I replied.  "I'm good.  What's up?"

   "I... Um....  Shit, this is hard.  I got some news this afternoon and
I....

   "What's wrong?"

   "I'm....  I'm... pregnant," She blurted.

   I tried to hide my shock.  Johara urgently needs to meet me and then she
tells me she's pregnant.  How the ... FUCK did this happen?  My heart was
pounding and my mind was racing a mile a minute.  "Are....  Are you sure?"
I asked stalling for time.  We had been together... uh... it was...

   "I was at the doctor's office this afternoon.  They confirmed it."

   Two weeks ago!  I remember.  It was only two weeks ago.  I insisted,
"You can't know that I got you pregnant.  It is too soon."

   "I know.  You aren't the father Kyle.  The doctor says it happened five
weeks ago."

   I breathed a sigh of relief, but only for a moment.  Why did Johara want
to talk to me?  Then it hit me.  Five weeks ago - when my brother was
visiting campus.  I asked, "Is it Andy's?"

   "I don't know, maybe."

   "You don't know?" I asked.

   "I was with Andy on Saturday night," she replied.  "It might be his.  I
was with Rick at a frat party on Friday night.  There was Stan on Sunday
afternoon that weekend.  I just don't know."

   "I find it hard to believe that it could be Andy's," I replied.  "He got
his girlfriend pregnant a year and half ago.  I can't believe he would have
gone to bed with you without protection."

   "I can be pretty insistent.  You know that Kyle.  He might have if he
thought I was on the pill.  You know I like it bare."

   "I doubt it Johara," I said.  "His girlfriend was supposed to be on the
pill when he got her pregnant.  I'm sure he'd insist on protection.  I know
I gave him condoms that night.  Don't you remember?"

   "I don't know," Johara admitted.  "I remember he was very sweet.  He
knew was to do with his tongue.  Is that something in the Martin genes?"

   "It's more of a learned thing," I said with a small smile.  "Between all
of us brothers."

   "Are there more Martins at home?"

   "Andy and I do have a third brother, but you can't have him.  He's
married."

   "Oh, nuts," Johara replied.  "Can you give me your brother's phone
number so I can call him?"

   "Why don't I be the go-between while you figure out what is going on. 
Andy's got a lot on his plate right now trying to raise his two kids."

   Hesitantly she answered, "I guess that's OK."

   "What are you going to do about the baby?" I asked.

   "I... I don't know," she replied frowning.  "This couldn't have happened
at a worse time.  Can you imagine me graduating from college seven months
pregnant?  I go out looking for a job interview the size of a whale.  Who
would hire me?  I... I just can't have this pregnancy."

   "Are you going to get an abortion?"

   "Maybe.  I just don't know what I'm going to do."

   "For what it's worth, my brother told me something surprising two weeks
ago that is pertinent.  He said he wouldn't change anything even with all
the problems getting his girlfriend pregnant created.  He is happy he has
his two boys."

   "Really?  I wouldn't have expected that."

   I asked, "Can your parents help you with this?"

   "No, that would be impossible."

   "You'd be surprised at what parents will do.  I expected my parents to
blow a cork when Andy told them about getting Crystal pregnant.  They were
totally supportive.  You should trust your parents to help."

   "No, you don't know my parents.  They are too old fashioned.  They'd
never understand this.  They'd throw me out of the house if they find out
I'm pregnant.

   "I doubt that.  Your parents love you.  They'd never do anything like
that."

   "They aren't going to find out while I'm on break.  I'll figure this out
on my own." Johara said.

   "Let me know if you need help Johara.  I'll help any way I can."

   "Thanks Kyle.  That's really sweet of you."

   "Merry Christmas Johara.  I'll see you next semester."

   "You too Kyle.  Good luck in the Rose Bowl." I gave her a hug.  She
kissed me on the cheek before I left.  I headed back to my dorm room.  I
thought about Johara's situation after I went to bed.  I wasn't really
shocked that she found herself pregnant.  She took too many chances.  I
decided that I shouldn't judge her.  She needed a friend not a judge.  I'd
do whatever I could to help her through this difficult time.

   Chapter 10

   ==========

   Sunday afternoon Damian and I spent most of the afternoon with about a
third of my teammates studying video, the play book and the game plan for
our contest with USC in twelve days.  Campus was nearly deserted.  Students
were home for Christmas break.  The only people left on campus were faculty
and a few grad students.  The spirit squad and the Blue Band were home
until the day after Christmas, when they would join us in California.  We
had to eat all our meals at the Training Table.  Otherwise the dining halls
on campus were shut down.

   I felt pretty good about myself.  I had all my Christmas shopping done,
wrapped and at home where Mom made sure they were under our tree.  I had my
gift ready for our team Christmas party.  Each player pulled a name from a
hat and bought a gift for that teammate.  We planned to exchange gifts
after dinner on Christmas Day.  It wasn't like home, but these guys were
family now.

   Monday morning I went to the HUB to buy my spring semester books at the
bookstore.  Most students were reporting back to school on Friday, January
8th or Saturday the 9th.  Classes started the following Monday.  I could
pick up an extra two days at home by getting books early.  I wasn't the
only football team member with that idea.  Half dozen other guys were there
while I bought my books.

   My teammates and I spent the next three days studying for the game,
reviewing film, resting and healing.  The rest after almost five hectic
months was welcome.  We even found time to relax over pool, poker, foosball
and video games in the evening.

   The team organized a Tuesday afternoon briefing session for all freshmen
on the team.  The PR people in the athletic department taught us how to
deal with print and TV reporters.  They talked about respecting our
opponents when we talked so we didn't hand them motivation when we played
them.  They explained about on-record and off-record interviews.  They
reminded us we were representing our teammates, our coaches and our
university.

   They showed us tapes of good interviews and bad interviews to make sure
we got the message.  They taped us doing practice interviews and then
critiqued them to help us improve our technique.  I appreciated their help.
I was going to need to be prepared when my turn came to be in front of the
press.

   Coach Burton called me into his office Wednesday morning.  He motioned
me to have a seat in front of his desk.

   I asked, "What's up Coach?"

   "You have had quite a season for a freshman Kyle."

   "Thank you, sir.  I'm trying to do whatever I can to help our team."

   Coach Burton explained, "I've had a lot of media requests to do
interviews with you.  Your top ranking on kick returns and top 10 ranking
in all purpose yards have excited our fans.  They'd like to know who this
new kid is.  Are you willing to sit down with reporters for interviews when
we do media day next Saturday?"

   "Sure Coach.  No problem," I said.  "I've done interviews before when I
was in high school."

   "I don't think you know how big this is.  You've never seen anything
like the frenzy at a BCS bowl game."

   "I did a press conference after my high school team won the state
championship game.  I'll be OK."

   Coach Burton chuckled.  "I'll make sure a PR person is with you
throughout the media day."

   "OK Coach," I agreed.  "Was yesterday's PR seminar put in to help me get
ready for this?"

   "No, not really.  We usually do the PR seminar for freshman this time of
year.  You're done with fall semester and don't have as many demands on
your time as you do in the spring, summer or fall."

   "I'll do my best for you Coach.  Thanks for trusting me on this." I
said.

   ----------------------------------------------------

   My parents called me on my cell phone Wednesday night.  My grades for my
first semester had arrived.  I knew I had passed Math 110 since I was still
in the traveling plans for our team.  Two guys - Max Rosen and Jarrell
Cook, a freshman linebacker, were sent home.  They hadn't met the academic
requirements to make the trip.

   After Dad explained about the letter arriving, he asked, "Can your
mother and I open the letter with your grades?  It's addressed to you, not
us."

   "Sure Dad, go ahead." I answered.  I had to wait about thirty seconds
while he digested the contents.

   Dad said, "Here they are: Educational Psychology 14 - A-, English 15 -
B+, History 1 - A, Math 110..." I steeled my nerves.  "C+" Dad said.  I
breathed a sigh of relief.  A C+ was damn good considering my mid-term exam
grade.  This was great news.  Dad continued, "Political Science 1 - A-. 
Your..."

   I interrupted, "Fantastic!  Thanks for calling me Dad."

   Dad asked, "Don't you want to know the rest?"

   "OK"

   "Your grade point average for the semester is 3.31.  You didn't make the
Dean's List but this still pretty good for your first semester of college
Kyle."

   "Thanks Dad.  I appreciate you saying that.  I was afraid it would be a
lot worse in the middle of the semester."

   Dad asked, "When do you leave for California?"

   "I meet the bus at 7 am tomorrow morning.  We'll get there between 4 and
5 pm.  I'll call when I get to my room so you'll know how to get in touch
if you need to while I'm out there."

   "That sounds good Kyle.  Here's your mother.  She wants to talk too."
Dad said.  He handed the phone over to Mom.  We talked for a few minutes
and then it was Andy's turn, followed by Will, Abby and finally Liz.  I
wished everyone a Merry Christmas before the phone call was over.

   --------------------------------------------------------

   Damian and I were up at 6 am on December 24th.  We headed across the
hall to join the rest of our teammates/dorm mates in the showers.  Half an
hour later the twelve of us from fourth floor Hartranft were dressed in
coats and ties, carrying our luggage over to Pollock Commons and the
Training Table to catch a little breakfast before we left campus.

   A few people from the athletic department, some local high school kids
and the Nowak family saw us off on the buses in front of the Lasch
Building. Jeremiah is from State College, so his family could give him an
in-person sendoff that the rest of our families only dreamed of.  Our
charter buses took us out to the State College Airport for the charter
flight to LA.

   The flight out to LA took six hours.  We passed the time playing cards,
listening to music, sleeping and just hanging with friends.  I spent an
hour talking with Zack and Aaron about press conferences, picking their
brains for ideas to help me present myself properly.  It was a long flight.
I was glad when we finally landed in LAX.  I thought we were almost done
traveling.  Hah!

   It took us an hour to get our luggage, find our tour buses and get on
the road.  My only previous experiences with LA traffic were at 10 o'clock
on a Friday night and late in the morning on a Sunday.  The previous
summer's traffic was easy compared to what we faced on the 27 mile drive to
our hotel in Pasadena.

   This was the day before Christmas.  Everyone who had last minute
shopping was out.  Everyone who was flying away for the holiday was out. 
The freeways were nearly gridlocked.  Coach Burton had to call ahead to
warn our hotel to hold our supper.  It took an hour and a half to get to
the hotel, the Westin Pasadena.  I pointed out the USC campus and the
Coliseum to my teammates as we crawled past it on I-110.

   The hotel was well organized at getting us checked in and our luggage to
our rooms.  We gathered again in one of the banquet rooms around 7 pm for
dinner.  Coach Burton lectured us on the conduct he expected from us during
our eight day stay in Pasadena - no booze, 11 pm curfew, bed checks, no
guests, especially female guests.

   After dinner the traveling staff handed out maps of the area that showed
where the nearest churches were located and the times for their Christmas
Eve services were.

   Christian and I talked with some of our friends and organized a group to
go to the local Presbyterian Church for their 9 pm services.  Jay, Trevor,
and Damian went with us.  Christian invited his roommate GJ DeLuca to come
too, but GJ found a Catholic church a few blocks the opposite direction
from ours.

   The church was a modern building that looked to be less than 30 years
old.  A soaring bell tower dominated the corner of Colorado Boulevard and
Madison Avenue.  The sanctuary was massive, easily holding 700-1000 people.
The stunning stained glass windows rose to the arched ceiling.  A massive
suspended cross dominated the front of the sanctuary.  The most impressive
feature of the church was their organ.  Ranks of organ pipes filled the
sanctuary with exquisite sound of traditional Christmas hymns.

   The minister's message was moving, truly in keeping with the celebration
of Christ's birth.  I understood how someone with her talent could fill a
church of this size.  The most moving part of the night was when we
concluded the service with the choir singing Silent Night in the original
German (Stille Nacht).  I quietly sang along with them (auf Deutsch
natürlich).

   I felt the spirit of Christmas even though a big part of Christmas for
me has always been family.  The three thousand miles separating us didn't
seem to matter quite as much.  I was in good company to celebrate Christmas
if I couldn't be home.

   The coaches let us sleep late on Christmas morning.  The team brunch
wasn't scheduled until 11:30 am.  Nobody, except maybe Christian and GJ,
minded.  After brunch the coaches recruited a group of team members to go
to the local hospital to distribute toys to the kids.  Christian and I
volunteered along with about a dozen other teammates.  Our name stars were
included (drafted?) of course - Zack, Aaron, Antwaan, Cuch, and Pete.

   I was glad I went along to distribute presents to the kids.  It was a
little depressing to see these kids stuck in the hospital on Christmas Day,
especially the bald-headed kids fighting cancer.  I needed to remember the
less fortunate in our world.  I had been blessed in so many ways.  I hope I
never forget that lesson.

   I called home when I got back to the hotel.  I talked with most of my
family and relatives.  Mom claimed she didn't cry when we talked, but I
knew better.  I assured her I was doing fine out here in LA.

   Our team Christmas dinner was held at our hotel.  We had turkey, ham,
stuffing, vegetables, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie for dessert.  We
lingered over dessert enjoying our relaxed time together.

   The lights were turned down low after dinner so the candles on the
tables provided the primary light to the room.  Bo, Aaron, Les Jones and
Derek Whitaker took turns reading the Christmas story from the Gospel
according to Luke.  It was quite moving.

   When that was done the house lights came back on and Coach Burton
announced it was time to begin exchanging Christmas gifts.  Most of the
gifts were gag gifts.  That was good.  I hadn't gotten something serious
for my recipient, Evan Foster.  When it was Evan's turn I presented him
with a carefully wrapped shirt box containing my gift to him.

   Evan unwrapped it and found the box contained Snoopy and the Red Baron
sheets for his bed.  I teased, "These will come in handy on Saturday nights
if you end up with dirty sheets."

   Evan responded, "I wonder how I'd get dirty sheets on a Saturday night?"

   Half the team knew about me and Kimberly leaving Evan's bed a little
messy when we hooked up a few Saturday's ago.  Both of us had received a
fair amount of teasing about it from our friends.

   I didn't know who pulled my name in the drawing.  It turned out it was
Jake Washington, Zack, Aaron and Evan's roommate.  Jake handed me a huge
24"x24"x30" box garishly wrapped in day-glow orange wrapping paper with a
lime green bow.  I opened it to find it contained four smaller boxes.

   The first box was marked `VW Repair Kit.' It contained a roll of duct
tape, a bag of rubber bands and a card that said: `For Help Call - Dad
717-555-3276'.  The second box was marked `Mom's Delicious Chocolate Chip
Cookies'.  It contained a Zip-Lock bag of off-white powder marked `Flour',
another marked `Sugar', a bag of chocolate chips, a bottle of squeeze
margarine, and a note: `Some Assembly Required'.  The third box was an
electric razor box.  The box contained two AA batteries and a note - `Gift
not included.' The last box was marked `White Kid Hairdo Redo'.  I opened
it and found a Jamaican Tam complete with attached dreadlocks.

   I modeled my new hat to the delight of my teammates.  "It's you!" "You
look better now White Boy." "What'sup mon?"

   I grinned and said, "Thanks Jake.  I'll always treasure this.  You made
my Christmas." I tried to take the hat off.  The guys wouldn't allow it.

   We had fun with all the gag gifts.  Some were hilarious; others were a
bit over the top.  Bo Cherry received a `12 Shots of Christmas' wreath with
shots glasses placed on a wreath for each of the twelve days of Christmas.
Karol Ziska gave Zack Hayes the funniest and the most questionable gift - a
pair of stress relieving breasts.  They're like the stress balls you
squeeze except they're shaped like naked women's breasts.

   Karol teased, "This is something to help when Coach Burton or Coach
Schroeder get on your case."

   Zack answered, "I'll treasure these Karol.  Thank you." Coach Burton
seemed bemused by the gift.  Zack left the fake breasts sitting on the
table in plain sight.

   Coach Burton reached his limit after a couple minutes.  He interrupted
Jeremiah Nowak's gift opening to say, "Hayes would you cover those things
up.  We're having a family friendly Christmas."

   Zack gathered up the stress breasts and put them back in the box.  He
ostentatiously gave the breasts a couple squeezes then answered, "Sure
Coach.  No problem." Coach Burton rolled his eyes and shook his head at
Zack's needling.

   Coach Burton went over our schedule for the coming week.  Each day we
would meet here in the banquet room for breakfast between 8:00 am and 8:30
am.  After that we'd catch buses over to a local high school for our
morning workout.

   Each afternoon the team had a trip to some southern Californian
attraction.  Tomorrow the team was going to the taping of Jay Leno's
Tonight Show.  Some of us, including me, were going to the Media Day at the
Rose Bowl Stadium instead.

   -------------------------------------------------

   After breakfast on Saturday (the 26th) we loaded up on the buses and
rode over to the La Salle High School football field.  A high school locker
room was a step down from what we had become accustomed to in college, but
it was acceptable for a few days until our bowl game.  The football field
was an immaculately kept high school style field surrounded by a six lane
track.  We didn't have as much space to practice as we had back at our
outdoor fields in State College.

   We made the best of what was available.  Coach Burton had us going at
half speed, no contact as we worked on understanding and then counteracting
USC's expected offensive and defensive schemes.  I thought practice went
well.  Everyone concentrated on performing their parts in our game plan.

   The buses hauled us back to the Westin for lunch.  Two buses took most
of the team to the taping of Jay Leno's show.  The rest of us boarded the
third bus to go over to the Rose Bowl Stadium to meet the press.  I wasn't
the only freshman invited.  Trevor Conwell had played outstanding in the
second half of the season.  He moved up the depth chart to #2 at left
defensive end.  He logged significant playing time and three sacks during
the course of the season.

   Zack Hayes, Shawn O'Conner, Evan Foster, Bo Cherry and Jelani "JT" Hill
represented the offense.  Antwaan Booker, Jake Washington, Trevor Conwell,
Pete Klein, Karol Ziska, Dom "Cuch"Cuchiella, and Aaron Morano represented
our defense.  Cooper Barnes and I were the only special teams players
invited to the media day.

   The Rose Bowl officials assigned USC the southern half of the field for
interviews with their players.  We had the northern half of the field.  The
bowl staff provided tables and chairs for each player being interviewed. 
Alex Szabo, from our athletic department communications staff, set up
Trevor and me near each other.  He promised to be handy if we had any
questions or problems during our interviews.

   I guess there were 200-300 reporters, photographers and cameramen
present for media day.  The stars on our team, Zack, Antwaan, Aaron, Pete
and Shawn drew most of the attention.  The rest of us had a steady stream
of interviewers stop by.

   Mr.  Montgomery, from the Lancaster evening paper, stopped by first.  He
and I had done half a dozen interviews together already while I was in high
school.  He was a good reporter and I enjoyed talking with him on the
record again.  He stopped by after every game this season to talk with me
unofficially.

   I did film interviews with channels 8, 21, 27 and 43 from back home. 
All the stations sent reporters to cover the game.  It must be a nice job
to have to fly out to California for a week to watch a football game.  I'd
need to call home when the interviewing was done and warn my parents to
watch the news for my interviews.

   Todd Blackledge from ESPN stopped by to talk also.  I had met him a few
times before when he was in State College to broadcast our games this
season.  The other times I talked with him it was off the record in his
capacity as a Penn State alumni and quarterback of our 1982 national
championship team.

   Media day lasted about two and a half hours.  It was boring by the end
of the afternoon.  Everyone asked the same half a dozen questions.  Who was
going to win the game?  What would the final score be?  Was I happy at Penn
State?  How much playing time did I expect to get?  I repeated my answers
for each questioner.

   Mr.  Steele from Channel 8 did surprise me with one of his questions. 
Did I make any friends on the USC team when I visited them when I was in
high school?  I said I considered Brady Rasmussen a friend.  Brady was my
guide around campus when I visited and we had talked a few more times that
fall while I was considering which college I would attend.  Brady and I
hadn't talked in a year.  Mr.  Steele asked if I would be willing to meet
with Brady for a couple questions.  I agreed.

   Brady consented too.  We posed together for pictures.  Mr.  Steele asked
us to predict the winner of our game.  Of course I chose Penn State and
Brady knew USC would win.  Each of us was asked to evaluate the other's
performance this season.

   It was easy for me to praise Brady's performance.  Brady was ranked #10
in the nation.  His 242 completions in 375 attempts for 3146 yards this
season was excellent.  Zack Hayes was ranked #9 and his stats were 248
completions in 372 attempts for 3101 yards.  At 24 TDs, Brady had two more
touchdowns than Zack.  His 10 interceptions were also two more than Zack
had.  I explained how my two friends were in a dead heat statistically. 
Both had played excellent football as juniors in their first year starting.

   Brady praised my work as a returner and as a receiver.  He said his team
would have to cover me closely to make sure I didn't score.  He pledged I
wouldn't be getting any deep passes next Friday at the game.

   Mr.  Steele's final question was the one I expected - why did I choose
Penn State over USC?  This is how I answered the question:

   "This choice was the hardest decision in my life.  I'd have loved to
play with Brady and the Trojans.  They have one of the best teams in the
country.  I know Brady and I would have become close friends.  I know he'd
have helped me be very successful out here in California.  I've known Zack
Hayes nearly half my life.  He taught me how to play football and he's a
heck of a player too.  I owe any success I have had to Zack's tutelage.

   "In the end my choice of Penn State over USC was based on my family and
my girlfriend.  I couldn't stand being separated from them by 3000 miles. I
wanted to be able to see them more often."

   Mr.  Steele asked, "No regrets at your choice?"

   "Yes.  I wish Brady and I could have played together.  I'd have loved to
see what we could do on the same team."

   Mr.  Steele thanked both of us when the interview was over.  Brady and I
had a couple minutes to talk before I had to head back to the hotel and
Brady had to go back to his campus.  We shook hands and I said, "It's
really good to see you again.  Congratulations on a hell of a season."
Brady's stats were better than Jared Dillard's first season as a starter.
Jared Dillard was USC's almost Heisman winner last season and three season
starter as the previous QB at USC.

   "Thanks Kyle.  I appreciate you saying that.  You've had a good season
yourself."

   I replied, "Thanks Brady."

   "I wish I could have convinced you to come here to SC with me.  I would
have enjoyed playing with you.  We would have made a hell of a team
together.  I understand how you wanted to stay near your girlfriend.  My
choice of USC cost me my high school sweetheart.  You're lucky you still
have yours."

   "Um....  actually I don't anymore.  I was worried that 3000 miles was
too far apart to maintain a relationship.  It turns out that the 200 miles
between State College and Philadelphia is too far.  We broke up in
October." I explained.

   "I'm sorry to hear that Kyle." Brady answered.

   I asked, "Do you remember the name of the restaurant that you and Coach
Carroll took me and my family to on Saturday night when I visited?  I want
to thank my blockers on special teams for their help this season.  I
thought they had really good food."

   "Sure, I remember.  Ocean Avenue Seafood in Santa Monica.  The food is
fantastic but it's real expensive.  I could suggest a few places that
aren't quite as pricey."

   "No.  My dad is willing to help me cover the bill.  These guys were
responsible for my success.  I owe them the best."

   "Are you sure Kyle?  The entrées are around $40 a person." Brady
explained.

   I paled.  I planned to invite the eighteen guys who played with me on
the punt and kick return teams, plus Coach Ferguson and Ryan Reynolds.  I
did the math in my head.  It could run $1000 by the time I included
appetizers, drinks, tax and the tip.  I exclaimed, "Wow!  I didn't realize
that it was that pricy.  I guess Coach Carroll really wanted me to play for
your team."

   "He did.  Could I make a suggestion Kyle?  Do you like Italian?"

   "Sure.  I need to find something I can afford." I said.

   "A friend of mine took me to a nice Italian place in Pasadena.  I assume
you're staying at one of the hotels in Pasadena?"

   "The Westin." I responded.

   "Perfect.  This place is only a few blocks away.  They have excellent
food there.  The entrees are $14-16 a person.  I recommend Gale's Italian
Restaurant on Fair Oaks Avenue." Brady said.

   "Thanks Brady.  I appreciate the suggestion."

   Brady paused for a few seconds, shook his head and said, "Walter Camp
All-American Kick Returner.  That is a great start for a college career."

   "Thanks Brady.  You've done pretty well too.  Congratulations."

   "Thanks Kyle.  I've worked hard to get where I am." He winked at me. 
"I'll show you next Friday afternoon.  We're going to kick your asses." He
said it with a smile.

   I gave Brady a playful slap on the shoulder.  "You'll know the game is
over when you look across the field and see us dump a cooler of Gatorade
over our coach." I got serious.  "You be careful on the field.  Antwaan
Booker is going to try to take your head off."

   "You be careful too.  We have a couple guys who will be trying to put a
hurting on you.  Good luck buddy.  It's good to see you again." Brady said.

   "Good luck to you too." I answered.  We headed in opposite directions
back to our teammates and coaches.

   The coaches loaded us back up on the bus and took us back to our hotel
about a mile away from the stadium when the media day was finished.  We got
back before the rest of the team returned from the Leno show taping.  I did
some laps in the hotel pool before dinner since I had some free time.

   I spoke with Coach Ferguson about my idea of taking our punt and kick
off return teams to dinner as a thank you for their efforts this season. 
He thought it was a great idea.  He checked our schedule and decided that
the 28th of December would be the best night for the dinner.  I went
on-line back in my room and Googled Gale's Italian Restaurant on-line back
in my room.  The menu looked good so I called and made reservations for 19
people on the 28th at 6:30 pm.

   The hotel was crowded with Penn Staters when we returned.  The Blue Band
had arrived from Pennsylvania late in the afternoon.  The band members were
a welcome addition to the hotel.  The band was 50% female, quite a change
from the nearly all male group we saw in the first three days here.

   On the 27th we practiced our standard plays in the morning.  Coach
Burton had some special plays ready to use against USC, but we didn't
practice them here.  LaSalle High School's football field was too close to
public streets where anyone could see our plans.

   Jay and the third string was our scout team as we prepared.  They ran
USC's plays that we learned from video of their games this year.  I
practiced exclusively with the first and second string.  Jay did a good
impersonation of Brady Rasmussen.  He had a strong enough arm to make the
kinds of throws Brady could make.

   The team loaded up on our buses after lunch on the 27th and headed for
Disneyland.  The park was swarming with Penn Staters.  Our Blue Band
numbered over three hundred.  Most of the guys from our floor in Hartranft
hung together for the afternoon - Damian, Jay, Shawn Byrd, GJ, Christian,
Trevor, Dermot McMillan, Tony King, Tyler Madden, and me.

   We joked and talked together as we waited in line for each of the thrill
rides.  We also enjoyed scoping out the girls.  A group of girls walked
past us while we were about five minutes into the line for the Matterhorn
Splash.  I saw one particularly gorgeous one was in middle of the group. 
She was taller than most of the girls she was with, probably 5'-9" or
5'-10".  Her golden hair was pulled back in a pony tail.

   I like girl's breasts.  There is no question about that.  I like a
well-turned backside.  I like shapely girl's legs.  Most of all I like
breasts.  This girl had been blessed by Mother Nature with a perfectly
proportioned set of breasts.  Not too big, not too small - perfect for
making love to.

   I knew she was a Penn State student from her Nittany Lion T-shirt.  She
probably was a member of the band.  I stared much too long.  She looked
familiar, like I had seen her around campus before - but where?  I asked my
friends.  They agreed with my evaluation of her but didn't know who she
was.

   We were still discussing this beauty when the twists in the line brought
us beside Zack, Aaron, Evan, Pete, Cuch and Jeremiah.  Zack listened to our
discussion briefly than said, "Hey Romeos.  Keep in mind we're here to play
a football game.  We don't need anymore Harrys." Aaron, Pete and Cuch
confirmed Zack's observation.

   Jeremiah laughed.  "Harry was an idiot.  We don't need that nonsense
this year."

   Jay asked, "Who's Harry and what are you talking about?"

   Aaron explained, "Harry Atkins was a guy who let his hormones get in
front of his good judgment."

   Pete interjected sarcastically, "Yeah, right.  Harry had good judgment."

   Aaron continued, "Harry got caught three days before the championship
game last year trying to sneak back into his room early in the morning.  He
spent the night with one of the girls in the band."

   Christian said, "That wasn't very smart.  What happened to him?"

   Zack answered, "Coach Paterno bought him an airline ticket, stuck him on
a plane and shipped him home.  No bowl game, no nothing."

   I asked, "What happened after that?  Did Coach Paterno kick him off the
team?  I know he isn't with us this year."

   Aaron answered, "He might have been able to stay with us if he had been
willing to accept Coach Paterno's punishment.  He wasn't.  He transferred
to a junior college just before spring semester started a year ago."

   Jay said, "That's why I don't know who he is.  He left just as I started
here."

   Evan explained, "Exactly.  Harry was a little too full of himself.  I
thought he would be a good running back in a year or two.  Now he's a
sophomore playing on some junior college team wishing he can find a way
back onto a major team.  He wasted a great opportunity for a night in bed
with a girl."

   Zack added, "God knows guys, I love the girls.  You all know me well
enough to know that.  There is a time and place for that, but this isn't
the time and California isn't the place.  This is a business trip for us.
We have to focus on beating USC.  Nothing else is important this week."

   The next group of cars for the ride arrived.  Hundreds of people in the
sinuous line snaked forward.  Zack's circle of friends moved to the right
and my friends moved to the left in the barriers.

   When we were out of ear shot of Zack, Jay commented, "I never thought
I'd hear Zack Hayes talk about women that way."

   I explained, "You have to know Zack.  The man is totally dedicated to
football.  If it's a distraction, it gets eliminated.  He may enjoy taking
a girl to bed, but he won't ever let any of them get in the way of football
success.  It's been six years since he broke up with his only steady
girlfriend he ever had."

   Trevor exclaimed, "One girlfriend in his life?  You're kidding."

   "He didn't have any while we were in high school together.  My older
brother knows Zack too.  He told me Zack started going with a girl in ninth
grade.  The relationship lasted until he wanted to become the starting
quarterback in high school.  He didn't have time for Beth anymore.  I think
Zack is driven to beat out his brother." I explained.

   Jay said, "The one that is Matt Hasselbeck's back up in Seattle?"

   "Yep, that would be Sam." I confirmed.

   Jay said, "I guess Zack's trying to teach us a lesson."

   "Take care of business this week," I confirmed.  "I think Zack's message
is that we need incredible focus on the game to be successful at this
level. We're not in high school anymore."

   My friends all agreed.  We'd focus on winning a football game this week.
That is what we needed to do if we were going to beat one of college
football's most successful teams in the past decade.

   Still, I promised myself I'd keep an eye out for that girl after this
week.  I knew I had seen her around somewhere before.  It wouldn't hurt if
I found out her name or happened to get introduced to her.  She was someone
I wanted a chance to get to know better.

   Our team had dinner at Disneyland that evening before we boarded our
buses back to our hotel.  We studied for a couple hours when we got back
before the coaches gave us the rest of the night off.  Some of my friends
and I went down to the pool for awhile before bedtime.

   I spotted this girl again in the lobby on the way back to my room just
before our 11 pm bed check.  It was going to be hard to keep my promise to
myself to focus all my energy on football with her popping up around me.  I
fell asleep thinking about how I needed to find a long term girlfriend.

   --------------------------------------------------

   I lined up my rock hard erection with her pussy and thrust forward. 
Velvety heat engulfed my cock as I buried it in this beautiful girl I
lusted after.  I thrust and thrust, reveling in the feel of my naked cock
against the soft, moist folds of her pussy.  God!  I loved fucking.  I
wanted this to go on forever, but it couldn't.  I pumped in and out a few
more times until the sensations were too much.  I pressed my cock deep into
this gorgeous girl, froze, and pumped what felt like gallons of semen into
her body.

   My eyes shot open and I glanced quickly around the dark room,
disoriented.  Damian was gently snoring in the bed beside me.  I felt a
wetness spreading around my groin.  Damn!  I had another wet dream - a hell
of a wet dream, but still a messy one.  I reluctantly got out of bed, went
to the bathroom and cleaned myself off.  I thought I was done with wet
dreams back in tenth grade.  I'd started having them again this fall.  I
really needed to find myself a girlfriend.  I climbed back in my bed naked,
pulled the covers up to my ears and went back to sleep.

   ---------------------------------------------------

   We had a harder practice on the 28th at LaSalle High School.  The
coaches were easing us into our game mentality.  We were allowed a little
hitting to get ourselves ready for the game in four days.

   The athletic department set up two options for us in the afternoon.  We
could go to the Arts Center or visit the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and
Mount Wilson Observatory.  My brother Will may be the scientist in our
family and working on his Master's Degree in Astrophysics, but I enjoy
science too.  The JPL runs all the unmanned probes in our solar system and
beyond.  I enjoyed seeing the photos that came back from Mars, Jupiter and
the other planets.

   The team was having dinner back at the hotel after our afternoon's
activities.  My special teams guests and I changed into our jackets and
ties.  Coach Ferguson wanted us to look sharp when we went out in public in
a group like this.  Coach Ferguson and Ryan Reynolds drove two the vans
rented by our athletic department for the duration of our trip.

   I ordered appetizers for everyone to enjoy - antipasti platter,
bruschetta, shrimp cocktail, proscuitto and melon, and garlic bread.  I had
expected Sicilian cuisine.  Gale's served primarily northern Italian
dishes. The descriptions on the menu made them sound good.

   I encouraged my friends to order whatever they wanted.  Dad asked me to
keep my bill under $500 if possible for this dinner.  Gale's prices were
reasonable.  I didn't expect the cost of the meal would be a problem.  I
decided on the Fettuccini Carbonera.  It sounded delicious.  Damian, who
sat beside me, ordered the Tuscan Style Steak.  I thought that sounded good
too.  My friends ordered a variety of dishes - spaghetti, lasagna, penne,
roast lamb, chicken Milanese and lamb chops.

   The conversation flowed freely among us while we snacked on the
appetizers and waited for our entrées.  Our dinners arrived thirty minutes
later.  Brady Rasmussen made an excellent recommendation about Gale's
Italian Restaurant.  The food was fantastic.  My friends enjoyed the food
and company.

   I called for quiet after the waitresses served the post meal coffee and
drink refills.  My friends listened as I prepared to speak.

   "I wanted to have this meal with all of you this evening as a way to
thank each of you for your help this year.  All of you know about me being
named All-American as a kick returner.  I was also ranked in the top ten
among college punt returners this season.  Football is a team sport, not an
individual sport.  This recognition is as much yours as it is mine.  Your
blocking made my returns possible.  Thank you for everything."

   My friends echoed a chorus of thank yous for the meal and my impromptu
speech.  Trevor Conwell stood and the group got quiet.

   Trevor said, "The group asked me to speak on their behalf after dinner
tonight Kyle.  All of us appreciate this gesture and the wonderful meal. 
Most of us are freshmen or sophomores.  Playing on special teams is our
only opportunity to make a difference on the team.  You had a chance to
take the ball all the way every time you touched it this season.  I know I
hit my guy a little harder and held my block a little longer because I knew
good things were going to happen.  Football may be a team sport, but you
set a high standard for our return teams.  Thank you for our meal and for
everything you've done this season to make us successful."

   It was Coach Ferguson's turn to speak.  He said, "I want to agree with
both Kyle and Trevor.  All of you had a part in making this punt return and
kick return team one of the most successful in college football this year.
Remember our season isn't over.  We play the Trojans in four days.  This
game is going to require your very best effort.  On tape the Trojans have
the best special teams we've faced this year.  I expect your best on Friday
afternoon."

   My friends and I happily affirmed that we would give our best on the
field against the Trojans.  The waitress tried to deliver the bill to Coach
Ferguson, but he redirected her to me.  The damages came to $473.68 when
the tip and taxes were included.  I signed off on the biggest debt I'd ever
charged on my credit card.  I was going to need to look for a part time job
next semester unless I wanted a monstrous debt when I graduated from
college in four years.  Coach Ferguson and Ryan Reynolds drove us back to
the hotel.  We spent an hour that evening reviewing video of the Trojan's
kick off and punt coverage teams.

   ------------------------------------------------------

   Tuesday we spent the morning practicing, lunched at the Westin and then
visited the float building activities by the Rose Bowl for an hour in the
afternoon.  The floats were impressive.  This was as close as we would get
to them.  We'd be at the stadium preparing for the game when the Rose
Parade happened on Friday morning.  The team headed for the San Antonio
Winery.  The guide told us it was the last of the producing wineries in the
Los Angeles area.  It was an interesting tour.

   We had an hour back at the hotel to clean up and dress in our jackets
and ties.  Dinner was at Lawry's, the Prime Rib Restaurant in Beverly
Hills. The Rose Queen and her Royal Court were present.  Brent Musberger
and the rest of the ABC announcing team came to dinner with us too.  The
Lawry's Beef Bowl tradition went back over fifty years to the first Beef
Bowl in 1957.  The queen mugged for the cameras with Zack, feeding him his
prime rib.  Some guys have all the luck.  The prime rib was excellent.  My
teammates and I enjoyed ourselves that evening.

   Coach Burton had us scrimmage during our practice on Wednesday with some
light hitting.  It was a welcome change from our standard practices.  After
lunch we headed to the beach for the afternoon.  It was too cold to go in
the ocean, but we had fun on the beach playing ultimate Frisbee, volleyball
and checking out the sights.

   I spotted the girl from Disneyland as I was boarding the bus to go to
LaSalle High School for our Thursday morning practice.  She was climbing on
one of the band buses.  The Blue Band was practicing for the parade and
game over at the Rose Bowl today.  I wanted to find out more about her.  I
guess that would have to wait until spring semester started.

   This was our last practice before the Rose Bowl.  The coaches planned a
little sleight of hand to confuse any observers that USC may have sent to
monitor our practices.  We had practiced some unusual plays back in State
College, but only inside Holuba Hall.

   Practice looked normal enough through most of the morning.  Near the end
the coaches gathered all offensive linemen and tight ends for a meeting,
quarterbacks for another meeting, and running backs for a third meeting. 
Coach Adams was not around so we wide receivers milled around a bit like we
didn't have anything to do.  We grabbed some balls and started playing
catch.

   Four of the five pairs of receivers were just fooling around, passing
the time.  Derek Whitaker and I looked like the others goofing but actually
we were practicing our pass and catch for a special play in tomorrow's
game. Coach Schroeder wanted us to have one last practice before we
unveiled our surprise for USC during the game.

   Thursday afternoon the buses took us to Hollywood to tour the Paramount
Studio, to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and to visit Mann's Chinese
Theater.  The touring was nice but I, and I expect more than a few of my
teammates, were getting anxious to play our game.  I was glad the game was
tomorrow afternoon.

   We headed back to the Westin for dinner, position meetings and a final
team meeting.  Coach Burton gave a rousing talk to conclude our meeting. 
He announced that we were having a New Year's Eve gathering for the team at
11:30 pm tonight and our curfew was moved back to 12:30 pm.  The game
didn't start until 2:15 pm, so Coach Burton was going to let us sleep later
than normal to give us a good night's sleep.
A dozen or so of my friends and I headed down to the pool to have some
fun before our team party.  We spent an hour goofing around in the pool and
then relaxed in the Jacuzzi.  The hot water felt great, relaxing tired
muscles from the day's activities.  Damian and I headed back to our room,

changed and came back downstairs for the party.

   The hotel set up a nice spread of snacks for us and lots of drinks
(non-alcoholic of course).  We watched Ryan Seacrest countdown to midnight
on a projection TV in the ballroom.  Everyone toasted in the New Year with
sparkling white grape juice.  The party broke up soon after midnight. 
Everyone wanted a good night's sleep before tomorrow's game.

   -------------------------------------------------

   Damian and I agreed to set our alarm for 8:30 am.  I was blissfully
enjoying another erotic dream when it rudely awakened me at the appointed
time.  Damian and I flipped for the shower first.  He won.  I killed time
watching the local news until it was my turn.

   The weatherman promised we would have clear skies, 3-5 mile an hour
winds and a high temperature of 74 degrees by mid afternoon.  That was
perfect for our team's high powered passing offense.  Damian and I went
downstairs and joined the team for breakfast after I showered.  Coach
Burton warned us we should pack warm-up clothes and return to catch the bus
at 10 o'clock dressed in our jackets and ties.

   The bus drivers had to take a more circuitous route from the hotel to
the Rose Bowl compared to earlier in the week.  We were on the road while
the Rose Parade was under way.  The town was mobbed with people coming to
enjoy the parade.  The buses dropped us off at the entrance to the stadium
fifteen minutes later.  We carried our travel bags into our locker room. 
We changed into warm-up gear.  We were scheduled to take the field for 45
minutes to get familiar with the layout of the Rose Bowl.

   The coaches had us do some exercises to prepare ourselves.  The
quarterbacks threw passes to us wide receivers, the tight ends and the
running backs.  Cooper Barnes practiced field goals.  After a little while
Coach Ferguson had me shag punts for Steve Cobb.  The time on the field
went quickly.  We filed off the field as USC's players came out of their
locker room.

   Our team huddled with our position coaches for a final review of our
game plans and our individual responsibilities for the game while USC
worked out on the field.  We changed back into our dress clothes for lunch.

   The Rose Bowl traditionally had a kick-off luncheon to honor the teams,
the Rose Queen and her court, the Grand Marshal and the Tournament of Roses
officials.  The luncheon was held in a massive tent in one of the parking
lots beside the Rose Bowl.  Our pep band, USC's pep band, the Nittany Lion
and Tommy Trojan entertained the crowd.  The meal was good.  The meal was
partly pep rally and partly serious.  Three gentlemen were inducted into
the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame after dessert.  All the inductees were older men
who had helped organize the Tournament of Roses over the years.

   The two teams headed back to our respective locker rooms when the
speeches were finished.  We dressed quickly and headed outside for
warm-ups. We had a limited window of time to get ready.  The pre-game
festivities were starting promptly at 1:30 pm and we had to clear the field
before then.  The two teams shared the field while we prepared.

   Our warm-ups went as routinely as is possible when 90,000 people were
filing into the stadium while you prepare.  I fielded Steve Cobb's punts
while he warmed up.  Glenn Korbel tossed passes to Anders, Hassan Jackson
and me.  We finished up before many of our teammates.  Anders headed over
to the front row seats behind our sideline.  He talked for a couple minutes
with some people sitting in the front row the stands.

   Anders waved us over.  He grinned as he motioned for us to join him. 
"My family made it down for the game.  I'd like to introduce you." Three
older gentlemen stood as we approached.  They appeared to be in their
sixties.  Anders introduced us.  "This is my dad, Wes Voight." Mr.  Voight
acknowledged us.

   "This is my Uncle Barry." Uncle Barry had gray hair with a hint of the
blond he once was.  He had a full beard.  Anders explained, "Uncle Barry is
a professor of geology at Penn State.  He's a big part of the reason I
chose to come here."

   Anders grinned and said, "You probably recognize Uncle Jonnie." I
immediately recognized the actor who'd done some sixty movies during the
course of his career.  Anders introduced us to his family.  We talked for a
couple minutes.  Ander's dad, Uncle Barry and Uncle Jonnie asked us
questions about the game.  They seemed quite knowledgeable about football.
They wished Anders luck when we had to leave to go back to the locker room.

   On the way back I asked Anders, "Your dad seems a lot older than I
expected."

   Anders chuckled.  "You know how things are.  I'm the youngest in the
family by a large margin.  My brother Kristian was starting college when I
was born.  I was kind of unexpected."

   "I understand.  I wasn't exactly planned either, but my parents'
situation was the opposite of yours.  My mom was 20 when she got pregnant
with me," I chuckled.  "My parents seem to be good at surprises.  I found
out my Mom is pregnant when I went home for Thanksgiving."

   Anders laughed.  "No shit?  Parents can shock you can't they?"

   "Yeah.  Can you believe I'll be nineteen when my baby brother or sister
is born?"

   We joined our teammates inside for the final preparations.  Aaron
Morano, Bo Cherry and Antwaan Booker spoke with the team for a couple
minutes, reminding us that we needed to finish our season strong.  Coach
Burton reminded us of all the work we put in this season.  He told us to go
out strong - cap off this season with our best effort.  We headed out to
the tunnel to wait for our introduction to the audience in the stadium.

   I looked inside my helmet at the faded and slightly ragged edges of the
piece of duct tape.  I could still make out the number 82.  I said a short
prayer for Greg Harrison, my high school teammate killed by a drunk driver
almost two years ago.  I swore I would keep Greg's memory alive.  I headed
out to the tunnel when my game day ritual was done.

   We waited until USC was introduced to the crowd.  We could hear the
crowd cheer wildly when our opponents took the field.  That wasn`t
unexpected.  Our fans had to travel 3000 miles to get to the game.  USC's
campus was 16 miles away.  This was virtually a home game for them.

   We ran out onto the field behind Coach Burton and our team captains when
it was our turn.  The roughly five thousand Penn State fans cheered our
appearance.

   USC won the coin toss and had possession of the ball first.  Our two
teams sparred inconclusively in the first quarter.  Each team was feeling
out the plans of the other, trying to find the right combination of plays
to succeed.

   I was on the field for a couple passes.  On the first one I was sent on
a deep post route.  USC lined up with two defensive backs 25 yards off the
line of scrimmage.  Erick Byrne, the cornerback I knew from my visit to
USC, lined up on me at the line of scrimmage.  When I started down the
field a second d-back joined us.  Erick covered me short and the other
covered me deep.  The free safety headed my way to when I got 25 yards down
the field.  Obviously Zack didn't try to throw the ball to me.  He hit Evan
Foster for a 6 yard gain.

   The same thing happened when I went in for a play on our team's second
possession.  I could see that USC was determined that we would not complete
any deep passes and get quick scores.  They also made sure they covered the
edges of the field.  It left them soft in the middle.  When we threw the
ball into the middle, a safety came flying up from the backfield and
blasted the receiver.  They planned to cover that weakness in the middle
with hard hitting and intimidation.

   Our team caught the first break in the game.  Our defense had been
harassing Brady Rasmussen throughout.  On USC's third drive, pressure
forced Brady to put up an ill-advised pass.  Aaron grabbed the ball from in
front of Alex Gutierrez.  He ran it back 22 yards and gave us possession on
USC's 38 yard line.

   We started off with Zack completing a 12 yard pass on a slant route
across the middle to Derek Whitaker.  USC's middle linebacker nailed Derek
the second he caught the ball and just as the cornerback tackled him from
behind.  The ball popped loose as the two defenders sandwiched him.  Derek
crumpled to the ground as the ball bounced away and right to the free
safety.  He grabbed it and sprinted down the field towards our goal line.
Zack managed to tackle him near our 26 yard line.

   When I looked back at the end of the play, Derek was still lying
motionless.  The trainers ran out on the field, arriving as Derek finally
rolled over on his side.

   My attention was called away when I heard Coach Adams yell.  "Voight! 
Martin!  Get over here!" We trotted over to join our receivers coach. 
"Voight, you're going in to replace Whitaker.  Martin, you're taking over
the slot receiver spot from now on." I saw the trainers help a very
unsteady Derek off the field.  He wasn't going to be back anytime soon. 
Coach Adams reviewed his plans with us while our defense took the field to
stop USC.

   Our talk was interrupted by the cheers of the large pro-USC portion of
the crowd.  We looked up to see USC's linemen and tailback celebrating in
our end zone.  USC had scored on our defense.  Coach Adams excused me so I
could get ready for the kick return when USC kicked off to us.

   Coach Ferguson gave the return team the play call and a few reminders of
things to look out for.  I trotted out onto the field after USC completed
the extra point.  The kick-off was right down the middle.  I settled under
it near the 5 yard line and followed my blockers up the field.  One of
USC's wedge busters broke through, so I cut away from him and tried to
squirt through the chaos of bodies to get up field as far as possible. 
Someone took me down at the 43 yard line.  I trotted toward the sideline
only to be chased back on the field by Coach Adams.

   Zack led us down the field on a six play drive towards USC's goal line.
We concentrated on passes to the middle of the field.  Bo went deep every
play to pull the deep defenders with him.  Anders, Evan and I worked the
middle of the field, exploiting the softness of their defense.  The coaches
added a couple draw plays in the mix to keep USC defense from dropping
every back to cover our passes.  Our drive stalled when we got to the red
zone.  Zack overthrew Bo in the end zone when we hit the 17 yard line.  USC
spotted our screen on the next play and dropped Shawn after a 3 yard gain.
Zack hit me on third down, but I only gained 5 yards before USC gang
tackled me.  We settled for a field goal to bring the score to 7-3 USC's
favor.

   By the fourth USC possession Coach C and the other defensive coaches had
a handle on what USC was doing with the ball.  Antwaan Booker was
dominating the line of scrimmage.  USC had to use two guys always and even
a third sometimes to keep Antwaan out of the backfield.  He and Mehmed
Marsic were immoveable against runs up the middle.  Their play allowed our
linebackers Karol Ziska and Pete Klein to flow to the ball and stop any
runs outside the tackles.

   Passing plays didn't go any better for USC.  Our four man defensive line
got good pressure on Brady Rasmussen.  Aaron, Cuch, Yasin and Vic covered
receivers as well as any secondary in college football.  We made USC work
for each yard they gained.  They punted the ball back to us after six
plays.

   I caught their punt on our 22 yard line and managed to advance 18 yards
before I was tackled.  Coach Adams chased me back onto the field and to the
huddle for our first offensive play.  It looked like we were going to stay
in a three receiver set for much of the game.  Anders went over middle for
a 12 yard gain on the first play while Bo and I drew the d-backs deep.

   Coach Burton signaled for the first of our surprise plays to keep USC
guessing.  It was my reverse.  I lined up on the outside for this play
while Bo took the slot.  Zack pitched the ball to Shawn as he ran towards
me.  I took the hand off from Shawn and followed behind Zack, waiting for
his block.  Zack lowered his shoulder and plowed into USC's weak side
linebacker.  I swung around Zack's block and headed up the field.  I
watched ahead to see what the cornerback covering Anders did.  The
cornerback shed Ander's apparently ineffectual block and ran towards me as
I passed the line of scrimmage.  He grabbed me by my shirttail when I tried
to juke him out of the way.  He slowed me enough for help to tackle me
twelve yards down field.

   USC obviously had carefully studied video of us from earlier in the
season.  They reacted quickly to contain me on the reverse.  That was
perfect, just what we wanted from them.  Their quick reaction was perfect
for our surprise later in the game.

   Zack worked our team down the field with 3 and 5 step drop quick passes
into the middle of the field.  Four plays after the reverse Zack found
Anders with a pass 2 yards short of the goal line.  Anders caught the ball
and bulled his way into the end zone.  Coop blasted the PAT through the
uprights to give us a 10-7 lead in the game.

   We stopped USC on the next series.  Coach Ferguson sent Christian
Hunsecker in for the punt return since I was on the field nearly every
offensive play.  He wanted fresh legs on the returns.  Christian did a good
job, returning the ball 14 yards to give our offense possession of the ball
on our 38 yard line.

   We moved the ball efficiently with passes over the middle of the field.
Anders and I were big enough to stand up to USC hard tackles.  We were
10-20 pounds heavier than the other receivers on our team.  Evan Foster,
our TE, had 10 pounds on us and was equally comfortable catching passes in
the middle of the field.  Zack moved us crisply down the field towards
USC's goal.

   We threw our next surprise at them on this drive.  We lined up Jeremiah
Nowak, our backup QB, in the backfield in place of Shawn O'Conner.  Zack
pitched the ball out to Jeremiah, who ran left like it was a sweep.  We
hoped Zack would get lost in the shuffle on the line of scrimmage and be
uncovered.  USC didn't fall for it.  Jeremiah threw the ball to me for a 15
yard completion.  That wasn't what we had hoped for when we practiced the
play for the past month.

   Their defense stiffened as we approached their goal line.  A badly timed
sack on third down took us out of field goal range.  We punted the ball to
them.  Steve Cobb tried to boot the ball out of bounds but missed.  USC got
the ball on their 20 yard line.

   There was only 2:20 remaining in the half, so USC ran a hurry-up
offense. They made some adjustments to counter our defense.  The quick pace
of the offense and the adjustments were enough to allow them to move down
the field and score before half time.  They took a 14-10 lead into the
locker room at half time.

   Coach Burton was upbeat in spite of our losing the lead at halftime.  He
reminded us that we moved the ball well throughout the first half.  We
needed to focus on completing drives in the second half.  We broke into
position meetings to go over adjustments with our coaches.

   The half time lasted much longer than we were used to.  The Tournament
of Roses committee had a lot of activities planned for half time.

   When we were done talking over our second half plans, I asked Coach
Adams, "Do you have time for a questions Coach?"

   "What's up Martin?" Coach Adams asked.

   "How is Derek doing?" I asked.

   "Whitaker has a concussion.  He's done for the day." Coach explained.

   "Could you tell me why you have Anders filling in for Derek?  Normally
Aidan takes Derek's spot."

   "You always have questions.  That's one of the things I like about you."
He glanced at his watch.  "We only have three minutes until we take the
field.  Ask me that question again on the bus on the way back to the hotel.
I'll be happy to explain my thinking then."

   "OK.  Thanks Coach." I said.

   We headed back to the field.  Tanner Riggs had a good return on the
second half kickoff.  He turned the ball over to us on our 33 yard line. 
Our drive started off well.  Zack completed a 7 yard pass to Bo followed by
a 10 yard pass to Anders.  Unfortunately our team got greedy and it cost
us. We sent Bo, Anders and me deep on the next play.  USC's right defensive
end blind-sided Zack while he waited for us to come open.  USC got the sack
and knocked the ball out of Zack's hand to boot.  They recovered at our 38
yard line.

   USC adjusted to our defensive pressure at half time.  They had Brady
roll out on the passing plays to give him more distance from our linemen.
It worked and six plays later Brady found Alex Gutierrez in the end zone
for a touchdown.  The PAT brought the score to 21-10 USC's favor.

   Our half time adjustments didn't fix our offense.  Zack's accurate
passing exploited the center of USC's defense.  We stalled when we got
close to their end zone again.  We punted the ball back to USC.

   Our defense harassed and slowed but didn't stop their offense.  Things
turned on their seventh play.  Brady had rolled out to the weak side of the
field.  Trevor was on his side but couldn't reach him before he launched
the ball across the field to Alex Gutierrez.  Trevor leapt up and swatted
at the ball, barely grazing it as it flew by.  Aaron, who was covering
Alex, adjusted to the deflected path immediately.  He cut in front of Alex
and intercepted the fluttering ball.  Aaron sprinted down the field, Alex
in pursuit.  Brady managed to cut off Aaron from the end zone.  He and Alex
pushed Aaron out of bounds at their 22 yard line.

   The offense took over from there.  Three completed passes, a quarterback
draw and a sweep left brought us down to USC's 2 yard line.  Coach Burton
used our big offensive line to push Shawn O'Conner the last two yards into
the end zone.  Coop's successful PAT brought us to less than a touchdown
behind USC.  Score: 21-17 USC's favor.

   USC had a fantastic return on the kick off.  They started their offense
on their 43 yard line.  The roll-outs kept our pass rush at bay for part of
the drive.  Our coaches preached that our defensive ends needed to
penetrate deeper into USC's backfield when Brady tried to roll out so he'd
be pinned in the pocket and easier prey for our defenders.  It worked.  USC
couldn't complete the drive and settled for a field goal.  Score: 24-17
USC.

   Tanner Riggs had another good kick return after the field goal.  He gave
the ball to us on our 32 yard line.  Zack used short passes to move us down
the field again.

   Coach Burton decided it was time to unleash our surprise now that we
were up to midfield.  USC knew something was up as soon as I lined up
outside instead of Bo.  Chris Mann, the cornerback on me yelled, "Lookout
for the reverse!" just as Zack snapped the ball.  Chris pursued me as I
sprinted into our backfield.  I heard a satisfying thud as Bo hit him,
stopping his pursuit.  Shawn tucked the ball in my belly as we passed each
other.  I followed Zack for the edge.  He had to use a cut block to take
down the weak side linebacker this time.  I looked down the sideline for
Anders and the cornerback on his side.

   I smiled as I saw the cornerback shed Anders "block" and sprint for me.
I had a moments doubt.  Anders and I had never practiced this play
together. I stopped and cocked my arm as the cornerback bore down on me. 
Anders was alone running towards their end zone.  I heaved the ball as hard
as I could.  Surprisingly it had a good spiral and flew straight down the
field for my buddy.

   Anders had to stretch to reach the ball, but he caught it.  He hauled
the ball in, paused for moment to get his balance and then ran as fast as
he could go for the end zone.  USC's free safety had enough speed to catch
Anders at the five yard line.  He had the speed but not the size.  Anders
dragged him into the end zone on his back.  Touchdown!  Our five thousand
fans cheered wildly.  Zack and I sprinted down the field to celebrate with
Anders.

   We butted heads in celebration when we met in the end zone.  Anders
exclaimed, "That was a hell of a pass Kyle.  I didn't know you were that
good."

   "You made a great catch," I replied.

   We had to hurry off the field to make way for our field goal unit.  Coop
kicked the PAT to bring us to a 24-24 tie with USC.  It felt great not to
be chasing them on the scoreboard.

   Our defense took over from there.  The adjustments we made after the
last score did the trick.  Antwaan, Jake, Mehmed, Naeem, Trevor and their
line mates kept pressure and contain on Brady.  He was taking hits on
nearly every play.  USC ended up punting back to us to end that series.

   We had a long drive fueled on our short passes.  The drive broke down
again when we hit the red zone.  Our expectations of Coop kicking a field
goal to give us a lead evaporated with a botched snap.  USC took over at
their 15 yard line.

   USC moved the ball out to midfield but couldn't sustain a drive on this
possession.  They punted back to us.  We picked up 56 yards on six plays
but stalled out again well short of field goal range.

   USC got the ball back with 4 ½ minutes left in the game.  Our line had
no pity on Brady.  Trevor sacked him on the first play.  Brady unloaded the
ball on second down to avoid getting sacked by Jake Washington.  Brady
pulled a miraculous third down play to extend the drive.  Pete Klein blew
up the screen play on the next down.  Then Brady was forced into another
hurried incompletion as Trevor and Antwaan went for a sack.  On third and
12 yards to go, Brady managed to dump off the ball to his tailback well
short of the line of scrimmage before Trevor and Jake knocked him down. 
USC punted the ball back to us.

   Christian had an excellent return on the punt, taking the ball on our 29
yard line and gaining 25 yards to give us possession on USC's 46 yard line.
There was 3:05 left in the game.  Zack worked us down the field using our
passes over the middle.  Zack hit Anders for 6 yards, then Evan for 8 yards
on the next play.

   I ran a routine slant across the middle on the third play.  I had a step
on Erick Bryne and Zack's timing of the pass was perfect.  I scooped the
ball in as I ran through the pass, never breaking stride.  The free safety
misjudged my speed, probably expecting that I'd need a pause briefly to
catch the ball before running downfield.  That momentary misjudgment was
all I needed.

   I sprinted diagonally down field until I was clear of him.  I turned on
my speed as I raced for the end zone as fast as I could go.  The d-backs
covering Bo deep tried to intercept me, so I angled to the left and away
from them.  I raced into the end zone before they could catch me.  I held
the ball aloft to the delight of Penn State's 5000 faithful and disgust of
the remaining 85,000 USC fans.  My teammates mobbed me in the end zone to
celebrate our score.  The Nittany Lion held my arm aloft in his champion
pose after he completed his one handed push-ups to celebrate my touchdown.

   Gary Stanton, the gymnast in the Lion's clothing told me, "You've had a
hell of a season Kyle.  Good work!"

   I gave the Lion a big hug for the crowd.  I told him, "Thanks Gary.  I
appreciate your support." Gary was a close friend of Zack's and had become
a friend of mine over the last couple months.

   Cooper Barnes delivered the PAT as we had grown accustomed to in the
course of this year.  Score: 31-24 Penn State.

   Victory was only two minutes and 12 seconds away.  Our defense took the
field fired up to kill.  Antwaan bull rushed through two linemen on the
first play, practically beating Brady into the backfield and throwing him
to the ground for a 7 yard loss.  Coach Carroll stopped the clock with his
next to last time out.  Trevor sacked Brady again on second down.

   USC tried to regroup when they called their last time out with about two
minutes left.  On third and 23 yards to go USC ran a tight end screen. 
Pete Klein dropped the tight end after a four yard gain.  Brady gamely
fired off a pass just before Antwaan and Trevor hit him on fourth down. 
Cuch knocked the ball out of the tight end's hands to give us possession of
the ball and control of the game.

   We didn't try anything fancy.  Two straight off tackle runs netted us 5
yards and ran the clock down to 57 seconds.  The coaches called for me to
run a curl route on third down.  Zack fired the ball to me when I got a ½
yard separation from Erick Byrne.  I held on tightly to the ball when I
caught it.  Ben Moore, the inside linebacker, nailed me immediately from my
front as Erick crunched into me from behind.  I went down hard but kept
possession of the ball.  I was going to be sore tomorrow, but I never
enjoyed a hard hit more than that one.  I stood up and jubilantly handed
the ball to the referee as he signaled first down.

   USC used their final timeout to stop the clock at 51 seconds.  We lined
up in kneel down formation.  Zack accepted two snaps to run out the
remaining time in the game.

   We celebrated as the final few seconds ran off the game clock.  The
loudspeakers in the stadium announced, "Congratulations to the Rose Bowl
Champions, the Penn State Nittany Lions" when the clock flashed 0:00.

   Our teammates flooded the field to celebrate our victory with us.  The
Blue Band struck up the fight song to add to our celebration.

   I grabbed Zack and exclaimed, "You had a hell of a game today buddy! 
You made this happen."

   Zack replied, "Thanks Kyle.  You were great today too.  How many catches
did you get?"

   "I don't know.  I lost count in the second half."

   "I'm glad you chose Penn State.  We'd have lost this game if you played
for USC." Zack said.

   "We'd have lost this game if you weren't here too.  My choice of schools
had as much to do with who was the quarterback I'd play with as anything
else.  I made the right choice last fall." I answered.

   "We gotta go get another national championship next season.  Today sets
the tone for next season." Zack said.

   "Deal!" I said as I clapped him on the back.  "We'll go do that next
season." Each of us went off in search of more friends to celebrate with.

   I found Anders with his dad and uncles.  Uncle Barry and Uncle Jonnie
congratulated me.  We talked for a few minutes about the game.  Ander's dad
had been keeping score.  He said Anders caught six passes for around 92
yards.  It sounded right.  That was a good outing for somebody who didn't
start on the team.  Ander's dad told me that I had caught 8 passes.  I
didn't argue - I didn't know.

   I did an interview with Mr.  Montgomery from the Lancaster newspaper
after the game.  Mr.  Steele from Lancaster Channel 8 found Zack Hayes and
me.  He interviewed both of us together.  I hoped Andy would Tivo that
interview in the evening so I could save it for later.

   The Rose Bowl committee needed about fifteen minutes to organize the
awards ceremony in the center of the field.  Brent Musberger, ABC's game
announcer, ran the ceremony.  The President of the Rose Bowl Committee
presented the trophy to Coach Burton, Antwaan Booker, Aaron Morano and Bo
Cherry.  Antwaan lofted the trophy to the cheers of our team and the Penn
State faithful that remained at the stadium for the ceremony.

   I was pleased when the MVP for the game was announced.  I guessed it
would be between Antwaan and his three sacks, Aaron and his two
interceptions that led to scores or Zack Hayes and his brilliant passing
performance.  Brent Musberger announced that Zack was the game's MVP.  He
had completed 31 of 41 passes for 402 yards, two touchdowns and no
interceptions.  Those were absolutely outstanding numbers for a
quarterback. I was happy for my friend and mentor.

   It took almost an hour after the game to get everyone showered, changed
and on the buses back to our hotel.  I missed my opportunity to talk with
Coach Adams on the way.  I found him in the buffet line for dinner back in
the hotel.

   I asked, "Coach Adams, do you have time for a few questions about the
game today?"

   Coach was in an expansive mood.  "Sure, I have all evening Kyle.  What
does my favorite future coach want to know?"

   "Why didn't Aidan fill in for Derek like he normally does?"

   Coach Adams chuckled.  "What do you think Kyle?  What is different
between the two of them?"

   "Well, Anders is a junior and Aidan is a sophomore." Coach nodded. 
"Um... Anders is bigger?" Coach nodded again.  I got it then.  "You wanted
the biggest receivers on the team on the field."

   "You and Anders were better prepared to take the licks that USC was
dealing out." Coach Adams answered.  Aidan Nagy was down right skinny - he
was 5'-11" and maybe 175 pounds.  Anders was 6'-2" and 192 pounds.  I had a
couple inches and a few pounds on Anders.  It all made sense why I spent so
much time on the field today.

   "Thanks for explaining Coach." I said.

   "I've learned to expect these kinds of questions from you Kyle.  Keep
asking them.  I like having knowledgeable players on the field."

   I asked, "Do you know what my stats were?  I lost track during the
game."

   "Unofficially we have you down for 8 receptions for 152 yards and one
touchdown.  That is an excellent performance."

   "I hope I played well enough for you coach."

   "You were fine Kyle.  If you finish learning the playbook and play this
way in spring practice, you will get plenty of playing time next season."
Coach Adams said.

   My teammates and I celebrated over dinner.  Christian and Tanner were
psyched about getting time on the field returning kicks and punts. 
Christian also caught a pass in the second half.  Trevor got 4 tackles, 2
sacks and 4 hurries when he went on the field in our defensive linemen
rotation.  He made a loud claim to the soon to be vacant left defensive end
spot that Naeem Sander's graduation would open.

   The one down side to this game was the teammates who had played their
last game today - including starters Antwaan Booker, Aaron Morano, Cooper
Barnes, Bo Cherry, Derek Whitaker, Pete Klein and Gerry Oliszewski.  We
were going to miss these guys next season.  Antwaan, Aaron and Pete could
look forward to playing in the NFL next season.  Antwaan was rated a sure
#1 draft pick.  Aaron was currently rated a late #1 or early #2 pick.  I
expected his stock to rise after today's game.  Pete was projected to be a
mid-round pick.  The rest of the seniors were long shots and probably
wouldn't make it in the NFL.

   My cell phone rang during dinner.  I answered it as I stepped away from
the table.  "Hello?"

   "Hell of a game big shot." I recognized the voice immediately.

   "Jeremy?  Where are you?" I said.  It was Jeremy North, one of my best
friends from home.  I knew Notre Dame was staying in Pasadena for the BCS
Championship game next weekend.

   "I'm down the road at the Courtyard.  We got in last night."

   "Why didn't you call me last night when you got to Pasadena?" I asked.

   "I knew you'd be getting ready for the game then.  Are you busy tonight?
Maybe we could get together for awhile?"

   "Sure.  That sounds good.  When's you're curfew?"

   "I have to be back at the hotel by midnight.  How about you?"

   I answered, "Umm... I'm not sure.  It was 11 pm other nights.  I doubt
Coach Burton will care if we stay up late tonight.  We don't need to be
very awake to put our bags on the plane tomorrow morning."

   "Good.  I'll be over in 20-30 minutes Kyle."

   "Cool.  I'll see you then Jeremy." I put my phone back in my pocket and
rejoined my friends.  Damian, Christian, Zack and Aaron all decided to meet
Jeremy too.

   I met Jeremy in the lobby half an hour later.  I took him into the hotel
Living Room Lobby & Bar.  My friends were watching LSU play Oklahoma in the
Sugar Bowl when we arrived.  We had a good visit with Jeremy.

   We compared notes about USC.  His team, Notre Dame, had beaten USC back
in November to earn their shot at the national championship.  Jeremy filled
us in on how my friends had fared in their bowl games earlier today.

   Jeremy spotted my best friend Ed Fritz nattily dressed in a UF polo
shirt standing on the sideline holding a clipboard beside Urban Meyer
during his game at the Gator Bowl.  Florida beat Ohio State 31-19.

   Our high school teammate Drew McCormick got half a dozen carries in the
second half of his game his team, West Virginia, when they played Virginia
Tech.  WVU won 27-24.

   My friends and I talked about the things we learned from our game
against Michigan earlier in the season.  I made sure Jeremy understood how
big and fast William Johnson was.  I knew Jeremy would be running into
William on special teams plays.

   My friends and I enjoyed an hour and half of talk with Jeremy.  At ten
o'clock he headed back down the street to his hotel.  Damian and I headed
upstairs to our room.  We were expected to be at breakfast at 6 am the next
morning before we headed back to State College.

   ----------------------------------------------

   Breakfast came too soon for me.  Damian and I came downstairs for
breakfast.  We said good bye to Anders.  He was staying in California until
spring semester began in eight days.  His dad was picking him up later in
the morning.  By 7 am my bags were loaded on a bus and I was aboard for the
trip home.

   Traffic was light since it was early Saturday morning.  Our charter
plane took off for Pennsylvania a few minutes after 9:30 in the morning.  I
read my book and listened to my MP3 player.  It felt great to have
absolutely no responsibilities for anything.  The past five months had been
so pressure packed that I was ready to goof off.  Our plane landed at the
State College airport around 5:30 pm.  Buses hauled us back to the Lasch
Building.

   I was surprised at the reception our team received when we pulled into
the parking lot beside the Lasch Building.  There must have been a couple
thousand people there to welcome us back home.  My friends and I worked the
crowd shaking hands and thanking our supporters.

   I stopped off at my locker in the Lasch Building to drop off some of my
football things.  After that I headed off to my VW Golf in the East Parking
Deck.  I loaded my things in the trunk and drove down to Hartranft for the
remainder of my things for my abbreviated holiday.  I was on Route 322
heading east for home by 6:30 pm.  I was happy to be going home.  This fall
had been such a trip.  What really amazed me was that I was privileged to
do this as many as three more times while I was in college.

   (to be continued)

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   (C) 2007-8, Douglas Fox

   This story may not be reposted without express permission of the author.

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   This story was written as an adult fantasy.  The author does not condone
the described behavior in real life.
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