Stefen Wisniewski (61) has started at right guard this season, but could play center if needed.
The Daily Collegian has featured sophomore starting right gaurd and Schreyer Scholar Stefan Wisniewski. He has had a great season and they are even preparing him to play center, if need be.
Wisniewski, a dean’s list student who has been around football his entire life, said the mental aspect of playing center was easy for him to absorb.
The more difficult part, he said, was being closer to defenders and having less time to react. Plus he had to learn how to snap the ball and engage his defender quickly.
“When you’re a center, the nose guard’s right there on your face. When you’re a guard you’re off the ball a little bit and you get a little bit more separation,” Wisniewski said. “So just the fact that the lineman’s going to be on you that much quicker makes it a little bit tougher.
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But Wisniewski, as well as the rest of the Nittany Lions, said he hopes he doesn’t have to try his hand at going facemask to facemask with an opposing nose tackle this season.
Instead, he’d prefer everyone stayed healthy, Shipley remained at center and the line kept paving the way for 250-plus rushing yards per game.
Wisniewski said he’s been lucky to be able to play next to a pair of fifth-year seniors in Shipley and left guard Rich Ohrnberger. He said their wealth of knowledge has made him a better blocker and helped him adjust to starting at the college level.
They’ve made him feel at home on the line.
“Technique-wise especially, A.Q. and Rich have really helped me a lot,” Wisniewski said. “Things they’ve done, things they’ve tried in games, ’cause they’ve been starters for so long now they really have a lot of experience.
“Especially, too, they’re so confident and they’re so comfortable in there. They’ve really helped me feel comfortable just playing with those guys they’re so relaxed.”
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