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FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — The play-calling, the game-planning, the practices — Ricky Rahne could get used to this.

A few dozen media members surrounding him in a circle? Not so much.

“This,” Rahne laughed on Thursday, “is about as uncomfortable for me as possible.”

It was certainly the most attention Rahne has ever received as a coach. For the first time, he’ll be calling plays as Penn State’s interim offensive coordinator in Saturday’s TaxSlayer Bowl.

That job will soon belong to Joe Moorhead, the former Fordham head coach who was hired in December to replace the fired John Donovan. Though Moorhead is with the team in Florida, he won’t start installing his system until the offseason.

“I think Ricky’s done a really good job,” Penn State coach James Franklin said earlier in the week. “Ricky’s a guy who’s a rising star in the profession. Very, very smart. Very creative. I thought he’s handled this all extremely well.

“You look back at our Blue-White spring games. He’s always been with the (second-stringers) as the play-caller — the two offense vs. the one defense. And has moved the ball the last two years. Has done a good job with that. This will be a good opportunity for him to gain some experience, some professional development and enjoy time with the guys. But I’ve been very pleased with how he’s handled it.”

Rahne, who has served as Franklin’s quarterbacks coach at Vanderbilt and Penn State, will likely work with either the quarterbacks or tight ends in 2016. But Saturday could be the first step toward something bigger.

“Obviously I want to be an offensive coordinator one day,” Rahne said. “I don’t know about the whole head coaching thing. Seems like Coach Franklin has to deal with a whole lot more of this (media attention) than the things that go on between the stripes.

“But offensive coordinator? Yeah, I’d like to do that some day. So this is an important opportunity for me.”

Schematically, the Nittany Lions won’t be coming out with a completely different offense against Georgia. There’s not enough time to make dramatic adjustments.

“I think it’s a little difficult to make signifcant changes or anything like that,” Rahne said. “But every play-caller, every coach, has their own personal touch on the gameplan. So yeah, there will be a few things, minor things here and there, that will be in there.”

Instead, Penn State players noted that the atmosphere was a bit different during their bowl practices with Rahne running the offense.

Though Donovan enjoyed cracking jokes when working with the tight ends in the film room, he wouldn’t have been described as a particularly vocal guy on the practice field — especially compared to some of the big personalities on Franklin’s staff.

Sophomore tackle Andrew Nelson said the team’s practices this week at Fernandina Beach High School near the Georgia border have been more up-tempo.

Rahne is at least part of the reason for that.

“I think you could definitely say that,” Nelson said. “Coach Rahne is a very high-energy guy. A very ‘Compete! Complete!’ kind of guy. He’s been harping on that a lot this week. Just playing with a swagger, playing with a confidence. Right on the edge. That’s what we’ve been trying to do, and he’s been bringing that energy all week, specifically to the offense, which in turn has helped the team.”

“It’s definitely a little bit different,” wideout Chris Godwin said. “He’s a different personality than Coach Donovan. He’s a little bit more outgoing. Coach Donovan was a great guy for us and he had his own personality. He was more reserved. Coach Rahne, he’s more outgoing. He brings a little more excitement (to practice).”

Of course, Rahne will ultimately be judged on how the Lions generally inconsistent offense looks out on the field Saturday.

Aside from Franklin and Moorhead, Rahne said he called up some former colleagues from his time at Kansas State — Detroit Lions offensive line coach Ron Prince and Delaware head coach Dave Brock — for some advice.

“I just want us to go out there and play fast, play aggressive and play with a swagger, knowing that we’re prepared to go out there,” Rahne said. “Everything’s not going to be perfect. It never is. But I want us to go out there and make sure we play with a lot of confidence.”

Final practice

With the bowl game falling on a Saturday, Penn State was able to run its usual game-week routine leading up to it.

Thursday was slightly different because it was the team’s final full practice of the 2015 season, which meant it was time for some traditions.

Players swapped jerseys before getting into their drills — quarterback Christian Hackenberg, for example, was wearing the No. 81 of tight end and good friend Adam Breneman.

But the real highlight came after practice as each Lions senior got to be carried across the field by teammates.

Center Angelo Mangiro had the biggest entourage, with four guys lifting him up on their shoulders.

Defensive tackle Anthony Zettel got the final trip — a piggyback ride from someone with a helmet on and a whistle around his neck.

Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop.

“I was surprised he made it all the way over here!” Nelson said. “I hope he’s OK. He’s probably gonna have to get some ice after.”

Penn State assistant Ricky Rahne (left) will call plays for the Nittany Lions in Saturday’s TaxSlayer Bowl.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_rahne2015123117911327-1.jpg.optimal.jpgPenn State assistant Ricky Rahne (left) will call plays for the Nittany Lions in Saturday’s TaxSlayer Bowl. Joe Hermitt | AP photo, Pennlive

After his final college practice, Penn State defensive tackle Anthony Zettel (top) gets a ride from defensive coordinator Bob Shoop.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_20151231_1317042015123117919154-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAfter his final college practice, Penn State defensive tackle Anthony Zettel (top) gets a ride from defensive coordinator Bob Shoop. Derek Levarse | Times Leader

By Derek Levarse

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TAXSLAYER BOWL

Penn State vs. Georgia

Noon, Saturday, ESPN

Reach Derek Levarse at 570-991-6396 or on Twitter @TLdlevarse