Miskinis plays walk-on role well

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UNIVERSITY PARK - The life of a college football walk-on is usually more grueling than glamorous. He arrives on campus with a dream, not a scholarship. Some walk-ons wind up playing prominent roles on Saturdays. But most linger on the sidelines, contributing mainly as scout-team fodder during practices.

Daniel Ruettiger, a former Notre Dame walk-on whose story was documented in the movie "Rudy," had a boyhood dream to play for the Fighting Irish. In his final game, he played 27 seconds, sacked the quarterback on the last play and was carried off the field by his teammates. Ruettiger's advice: Have a goal, whether it is to earn a scholarship, be part of the team or become an inspiration.

Much like Ruettinger, Greg Miskinis was under no illusion that he would see playing time when he began his college football career at Penn State in 2005. That didn't stop the Indian Valley High School product, who attended games at Beaver Stadium with his family for as long as he can remember, from dreaming of suiting up for the Nittany Lions.

Miskinis did draw interest from other schools, but said his heart was always set on Happy Valley. He naturally thought, "This is where I need to be."

Miskinis doesn't second-guess his decision. Now a senior, the 6-5, 255-pound Miskinis has played sparingly as a reserve tight end for the Nittany Lions. He wouldn't trade any of his Penn State memories for more playing time at another school.

An all-around athlete who lettered as a Warrior in football, basketball and track, the lanky Miskinis was fortunate to have caught the eye of Penn State tight ends coach Bill Kenney during the spring workouts for the Nittany Lion basketball team at the end of his freshman year. Kenney saw potential in Miskinis because of his size and athletic ability.

"Bill called me up and wanted me to come out for football," Miskinis recalled. "I was pretty shocked. But I thought I might as well give that a shot instead."

Most walk-ons don't gain "Rudy" fame, yet they can still have rewarding experiences. And college football coaches, even with 85 scholarships to give, are glad to have the extra bodies.

Miskinis remembers vividly walking into his first practice at Holuba Hall, the Nittany Lions' indoor practice building, and being star struck by the presence of quarterback Mike Robinson and much-heralded linebackers Paul Posluszny and Dan Connor, all three of whom are playing in the NFL today.

"I was intimidated," Miskinis explained. "I had come from watching those guys on the field to playing with them."

Miskinis found the gridiron much more difficult than the hardwoods. He calls Penn State football practices one of the "toughest things I've ever had to do." The team's high-intensity workouts left every muscle in his body sore for weeks.

Nonetheless, he persevered and earned a spot on the roster.

Miskinis red-shirted during the fall 2005, although he dressed for most games and practiced. He continued to improve despite receiving difficult assignments.

"I was going up against Tamba Hali day in and day out," Miskinis said of battling the former Penn State defensive end, a first-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2006. "To him in the NFL, it's great to know that I played a role with where he's at."

Hali also helped Miskinis become a better player. After two seasons on the sidelines, Miskinis saw his hard work rewarded with playing time in Nittany Lion wins over Florida International and Wisconsin in 2007.

After a strong showing in the Blue-White Game this past spring, Miskinis' confidence continued to soar to new heights.

"My main goal is to make a memorable play," Miskinis said of his goals for his final campaign. "It would be great to score a touchdown, but I met a lot of my goals."

Even if that doesn't happen, Miskinis already has achieved one goal this year and is destined for another. At the conclusion of spring practices, Penn State head coach Joe Paterno announced Miskinis would receive a scholarship this year.

A potential Academic All-Big Ten candidate, Miskinis is scheduled to graduate in December with a degree in kinesiology.