The last time the Ohio State Buckeyes made the trip to Happy Valley to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions, both Brandon Beachum and Michael Zordich were in attendance.

Both were on visits to their eventual college for the game that usually has a hand in deciding the Big Ten Conference champion. Both Cardinal Mooney graduates were in the stands, taking in the atmosphere at Beaver Stadium.

But Saturday, Beachum and Zordich will be getting a completely different view.

The 2006 Mooney alumni will be on the field, now full-fledged members of the No. 11 Penn State squad that will welcome the No. 15 Buckeyes for the 3:30 p.m. contest.

"Being there (in 2006) was amazing," Beachum said. "It was electric. And it's going to be that same feeling of electricity, if not more."

For both Beachum and Zordich - along with Ursuline graduate and Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark - Saturday's matchup of Big Ten rivals is more than a normal game.

All the Youngstown natives see this game as a homecoming of sorts, as in their "old" home coming into their "new" home.

"I have a lot of friends on that team - people I competed against in high school, competed against during recruiting,"?Beachum said. "This is homecoming in my new home, which is really exciting and I look forward to the challenge."

The players' first two years at Penn State have been a challenge, but one both embraced.

Zordich sat out last season as a red-shirt freshman, and this year has become more of a player, specifically on special teams. So far this season, Zordich has played in nine games and recorded three tackles and collected 28 yards on kickoff returns.

"I feel like I'm improving everyday," Zordich said. "When you come to schools like this, you have to. I've been working a lot on my technique, my form and studying the game. I watch a lot more film than I ever did in high school. It's good, because I can get a feel for a game and break down a lot of yourself to improve."

Zordich is starting to fit in with the Nittany Lions. A linebacker and running back with in high school, he has been going back and forth between positions (fullback and linebacker).

It's rough, he said, but learning two positions helps, too.

"Last year was rough, sitting on the sidelines and just practicing," Zordich said. "But since they've been switching me around, that makes you feel good. It means the coaches know I can play in different spots and they can play me in any position they need me to be at."

The Penn State coaches know what they're getting in Zordich, and they definitely know the blood that runs through his veins. His father, Michael, played for coach Joe Paterno from 1982-85.

"It's a pretty neat thing," the younger Zordich said. "My dad and I played in the same jersey as each other. I'll tell him about when Joe is yelling at me or that he's getting on my case ... it's nice because he's been through the exact same thing. It's neat to have that connection. It's definitely special."

As for Beachum, this season has been special because of the impact he's been able to make. In Penn State's 34-13 victory over Northwestern last week, the running back scored the game-changing touchdown, the third of his career.

"My role in last week's game really helped my confidence because I was contributing to a part of that win," Beachum said. "I mean, it was a momentum changer. At the time we were tied. It was big for me as a confidence booster. Until then, I hadn't a chance to contribute a lot, so it was good for me to get in there and to get that touchdown."

So far this season, Beachum has ran for 106 yards on 21 carries and 29 yards receiving. He has played in all nine games.

But as Beachum is learning the ropes, he has a great teacher in front of him. Junior Evan Royster, who has rushed for 877 yards this season and is second in the Big Ten in rushing, has taken Beachum under his wing.

"He has really helped me," Beachum said. "He's helped me with the playbook and just different reads. And Daryll (Clark) has helped me out. If I mess something up, he's the first one to jump on me."

Though Clark is a teammate and friend to Beachum and Zordich, don't think that friendship doesn't turn into a rivalry come Mooney-Ursuline week. Clark, a 2004 Ursuline graduate, is quick to defend his alma mater, especial during "Holy War" week.

"I remember the day after the Mooney-Ursuline game, he (Clark) was telling me and Michael how Mooney cheated to win," Beachum said. "We were in the locker room at Michigan and he was telling us how they cheated. We laughed about it."

This weekend's game will be anything but friendly. With a "White Out" already scheduled at Beaver Stadium, it will be a very hostile environment for Ohio State. But for the Nittany Lions, that's the best home field advantage they could ask for.

"It's truly an experience when you run out on the field and there is a whole bunch of white," Zordich said. "You don't know what to think. You just stare at it for a second, it takes your breath away. But once you get going, you get used to it. But it's absolutely amazing."

dsulonen@tribtoday.com