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Silas Redd and Khairi Fortt are preparing for the final football game of their freshman season at Penn State. It could also be the final game for legendary coach Joe Paterno.
Redd, a Norwalk native who played at King, and Fortt, who played at Stamford High, will be with the Nittany Lions when they play Florida Saturday in the Outback Bowl. The conversation surrounding the game, however, centers on Paterno's future. There has been rampant speculation that the 84-year-old coach will retire after the game. Of course, rumors of Paterno's retirement have been coming up nearly every year.
Redd, in particular, has made a dramatic impact with the Nittany Lions. He is the team's second leading rusher with 439 yards and two touchdowns. He is averaging 6.1 yards per rush. Senior Evan Royster, the team's leading rusher, is also PSUs career-leading rusher and an NFL prospect.
One reporter on a Pennsylvania blog wrote this week that Redd could be a threat to Royster's career mark. Even Royster can see that happening. "He's gonna break it,'' Royster said of Redd after Michigan State beat Penn State in November, it was reported on Pennlive.com. "As long as he stays healthy, Royster said, he's good to go.''
Fortt has seen action in nine games and has 17 tackles, including eight solos. He has played primarily on special teams.
For those who want to catch Redd and Fortt playing in a Penn State game, the best bet might be next Sept. 17 when the Nittany Lions visit Temple. That's the closest contest, in terms of driving time, in which to catch the two standouts.
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