CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -- LaVar Arrington very nearly chose to play for the University of Miami instead of Penn State. And the hulking linebacker's conduct of late does recall the Hurricanes of old rather than stodgy State College.
First, Arrington drew two personal fouls on the same play for a takedown on Pitt punter Greg DeBolt in No. 3 Penn State's 20-17 win last week. Then he drew the Hurricanes' ire for Saturday's showdown claiming ignorance of a fellow Butkus Award candidate."I guess he feels he's a big man, talking big," Miami defensive tackle Damione Lewis said Thursday. "But he's got to come out Saturday and let it show."
With the eighth-ranked Hurricanes expecting their first home sellout in years at the Orange Bowl, there's little question fans' biggest target will be wearing No. 11 in blue and white.
"He has to understand that he is in the limelight," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "He has to be able to have a little tighter control over himself than somebody else."
He makes big plays, big headlines.
His body slam of DeBolt has been replayed countless times since Saturday. Many Hurricanes expressed surprise that he would pick on a hapless punter.
Andy Crosland does both Miami's punting and place-kicking. Teammates are alternately spoiling for a fight and reassuring him they'll back him up.
"We're telling him to go after him, hit LaVar before he hits you," safety Jeff Popovich quipped. "We'll look after him on special teams and make sure he's not in a wheelchair after the game."
Arrington further fanned the flames Wednesday during a discussion comparing the teams' linebacker corps, perhaps the two finest in the nation.
Of 65 players on the Butkus committee's preseason list of candidates, five will be on the field Saturday: Penn State's Arrington, Brandon Short and Mac Morrison and Miami's Dan Morgan and Nate Webster.
Asked about Morgan's assessment that Miami's group is better, Arrington said, "Who's Dan Morgan?" Long pause. "No, I'm serious," Arrington said. It quickly made Miami's bulletin board.