Boxengasse » Darron Lee (ankle) and Bruce Carter (quadriceps) have a

PITTSBURGH -- Pat Narduzzi understands the renewal of Pitts rivalry with Penn State after a 15-year hiatus is sure to generate plenty of chatter.All things being equal, Narduzzi would rather keep the Panthers out of it.Narduzzi is putting his team on lockdown ahead of Saturdays long-awaited visit from the Nittany Lions for reasons he described as more practical than personal. The second-year coach isnt worried about his players littering the walls in Happy Valley with bulletin board material. Hed just rather have them focused on the task at hand rather than spend time talking about it.We dont want any distractions, Narduzzi said. Id rather them go right in the film room. If its three minutes (with the media), it might be the three minutes well miss (in film).Narduzzi stressed he wants to be the only voice for the program, and he is fine with treating Pitts first meeting with Penn State since 2000 as more than just another game. In many ways it is, not just for in-state bragging rights for the next year but also for whatever edge it may gain in the living room of recruits that have both schools on their radar.It plays a major factor I think in the end, Narduzzi said. I think kids look up and they want to play for a winner and they want to know which ship is floating and strong.The Panthers put together a solid but hardly overwhelming 28-7 win over Villanova last weekend. While the outcome was never really in doubt once running back James Conner scored twice in the second quarter in his stirring return from a bout with Hodgkins lymphoma, there is plenty to work on as Pitt takes on an opponent that will be a significant step up in class.The offense managed just 261 yards and Conner averaged a modest 3.1 yards per carry, the lowest in his career in any game in which hes carried it at least 10 times. Narduzzi chalked it up to a bit of rust and Conners propensity to look for a big play every time instead of settling for whats there.When he hit it, he did pretty good, Narduzzi said. When he started to look for that touchdown (he started to dance). Hes a big, powerful downhill runner. Thats why were not a spread offense.Conner was in kindergarten the last time Pitt and Penn State shared the same field, a 12-0 victory by the Panthers on Sept. 16, 2000, and Conner is one of the oldest players on the Panthers. Narduzzi understands it may be a bit of a challenge for a group with no personal history against the Nittany Lions to suddenly develop strong emotions one way or the other.Thats one of the reasons for the media blackout. Narduzzi spent eight years as part of Michigan States contentious annual showdown with Michigan while working as the Spartans defensive coordinator. Getting used to the white-hot flame -- and the unique circumstances surrounding the game -- took some time.When I first got into a major rivalry, I didnt get it, he said. I didnt get it until the second year. I want to make sure they get it the first year. Wholesale Shoes China . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Wholesale Mens Shoes China . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. http://www.wholesaleshoesfashion.com/ . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Wholesale Fashion Shoes Free Shipping .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Cheap Fashion Shoes Wholesale . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- It appears Nick Mangold will have to sit this one out.The New York Jets center is doubtful to play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns because of a sprained ankle.Mangold has missed just four games in his 11-year career, including one in each of the last two seasons. His right ankle was heavily taped on Thursday, and he didnt practice all week.Wesley Johnson would likely replace Mangold, as he did after the center was injured early in the first quarter of New Yorks 24-16 win over Baltimore last Sunday.Obviously, its huge shoes to fill, Johnson said Friday. Ive just got to go out there and try to play my game, and make sure all five of us (linemen) play well, and we play well as an offense and win.The Jets could be down another starter on Sunday with left tackle Ryan Clady questionable because of an ailing shoulder. He has been playing through the injury for a few weeks but will likely be a game-time decision for coach Todd Bowles.Bowles said Ben Ijalana would slide over from right tackle to left tackle if Clady cant go. With Brent Qvale doubtful with a neck injury, the Jets are also considering activating Breno Giacomini from the reserve-physically unable to perform list to play right tackle.Giacomini missed all of training camp with a back injury and returned to practice last week after missing the first six games, per NFL rules for players on reserve-PUP. Giacomini, who started every game the last two seasons for the Jets, recently said he felt ready to play.We havent made a decision on it, Bowles said. If (Qvale) cant play, we have to wait and see how Clady is feeling.Wide receiver Devin Smith iis also on reserve-PUP and close to returning.dddddddddddd He has been out since December, when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.Hes been running around pretty good, Bowles said.Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson is questionable with a sore ankle that kept him out of last weeks game. He was limited Thursday and Friday after sitting out Wednesday. Bowles said he will be a game-time decision.Linebackers Darron Lee (ankle) and Bruce Carter (quadriceps) have already been ruled out for the game. Cornerback Buster Skrine (knee) and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (ankle) are doubtful.The Jets would use a combination of Marcus Williams and Darryl Roberts at cornerback opposite Darrelle Revis with Skrine unlikely to play.With Ryan Fitzpatrick back as the starting quarterback after being benched and Geno Smith out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, the focus turned to the backups.Bryce Petty, a fourth-rounder last year, has been practicing the last two weeks after injuring his shoulder in the preseason. Christian Hackenberg, a second-rounder this year, is also on the roster and has gotten a lot of snaps during the last few months.But Bowles refused to announce who the No. 2 quarterback -- possibly a few errant tosses by Fitzpatrick away from playing -- would be on Sunday.Its a matter of me just telling the coaches at this point, Bowles said, before adding: Both of them are ready to play.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '