UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Blair Thomas tied a Philadelphia Public League record with 59 career touchdowns before becoming one of only a few city players to attend Penn State.
The sophomore moved within 57 of matching his high-school accomplishment in college Saturday when he scored his first two touchdowns at Penn State in the Nittany Lions' 42-17 victory Saturday over East Carolina.
Thomas, playing behind seniors D.J. Dozier and David Clark, gained 67 yards on nine carries with touchdown runs of 1 and 7 yards as he received an opportunity to play as Penn State opened a 35-0 halftime lead.
'I was hoping we'd jump on them early so I'd get a lot of playing time,' said Thomas, who carried the ball 14 times for 42 yards as a freshman and nine times for 46 yards in his first two games this year.
Coach Joe Paterno is bringing Thomas along slowly, preparing him to replace Dozier and Clark next season.
'Blair is going to be a good back,' Paterno said. 'He's a really aggressive kid and he's got some acceleration. He just needs to play. We have hopes he can be a real good back.'
If his high-school performance is any indication, it's just a matter of time for Thomas. He ran for 1,551 yards and 24 touchdowns in his senior year, leading Frankford to the Public League title. He amassed 3,941 yards on the ground in his career, breaking the league mark by about 800 yards.
He said he found it a little difficult making the adjustment from the city to Penn State's rural campus in central Pennsylvania, but said he does not mind waiting his turn to play.
'I planned it,' he said. 'I was going to use the first two years as a learning process. I was prepared to wait two years. I'm in the position I want to be.'
In the meantime, Thomas also returns kickoffs -- breaking one for 44 yards against East Carolina -- as he waits for his chance to run the football.
'I try to self-motivate myself,' he said. 'I'm waiting my turn. I'm not setting goals or planning to play every week. I want to play every week but I know I can't set goals because we have D.J. and David Clark, two good backs.'
Dozier, who ran for 71 yards and scored on a 3-yard run, said the older running backs are helping Thomas.
'Anytime we can help the younger guys, we do so,' he said. 'Blair's a smart guy. He knows what to do.'
Thomas said he is a better player this year, and will improve each time he touches the ball.
'I'm more comfortable this year than last year,' he said. 'Last year, I had the jitters before the games. This year I'm more relaxed.
'I think the more you carry the ball the better you run because you get used to what's going on in the game and you get used to the hitting.'
