They complement one another, push one another and feed off one another.

Together, Derrick Williams and Deon Butler are hoping their presence can make Penn State's offense something special this season.

Penn State has had its share of star receivers from Kenny Jackson to O.J. McDuffie to Bryant Johnson. But having two receivers of the same high skill level is something rare for the Nittany Lions.

From 1993-95, Bobby Engram and Freddie Scott combined to make a fantastic catching tandem. They combined for more than 4,500 yards and 42 touchdowns, and, in '94, helped the offense become one of the best in college football history.

Before it's all said and done, Williams and Butler could eclipse Engram and Scott in Penn State's record book. Given their production last season as freshmen, it certainly is a possibility.

"We know how good we can be," Butler said. "The biggest thing is we want to get better. We're not content with what we did last year. Everyone tells us we're pretty good, and we see that we're pretty good. But we've also watched videotape and saw how much we messed up last year. We know what we're capable of now."

Big Ten Conference defensive coordinators are fretting over ways to deal with Williams and Butler. The damage they did last season was as fresh-faced freshmen who didn't have a full grasp of the offense. What are they capable of as seasoned veterans?

Butler, a former walk-on and converted defensive back, set several Penn State freshman receiving records, including touchdowns in a season (9), receiving yardage in a season (691), touchdowns in a game (2) and receiving yardage in a game (125).

"Butler is a walk-on and I think a lot of people underestimated him because he was not the biggest kid in the world," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "But he's a heck of a wideout. He can accelerate, knows where the ball is, catches up to it and is tough.

"He is a much better blocker than people give him credit for. He is only 168, 170 pounds, but I like him. He doesn't say beans and keeps his mouth shut. He comes to practice and goes after every ball that is thrown out there to try and catch it. There is no question in my mind that he is a top-notch receiver."

On just about any other team, Butler would be the unquestioned star. But Williams, because of his speed and playmaking ability, is the receiver defensive coordinators worry about the most.

Williams might have set the records last season, but he missed the final five games with a broken arm. In the first seven games -- before his injury in the Michigan game -- Williams had 22 receptions for 289 yards and a touchdown, plus 105 rushing yards and three rushing scores.

"We are trying to be balanced, that we have enough in the offense that we can take advantage of [Williams] or Deon Butler," Paterno said. "Obviously, you like Williams to get his hands on the football as many times as you can because he is such a clever, good athlete. He can make something happen if he gets his hands on it enough."

In addition to Williams and Butler, fellow sophomore Jordan Norwood makes the Lions triply difficult to defend. Norwood, as a true freshman last season, had 32 receptions for 422 yards. True freshman Chris Bell (6-3, 200) could be someone who makes a splash like Williams, Butler and Norwood did a year ago.

"They can be really good because it's across the board," said Penn State cornerback Justin King, who played with the receivers last year on offense and now covers them every day in practice. "You can't key on one of them because the other will kill you in their own way."

On an offense with four new starting linemen, the receivers are clearly one of the team's strengths. Paterno will never abandon the running game, especially with three-year starting running back Tony Hunt back for his senior season. But with strong-armed quarterback Anthony Morelli at the ready, the passing game could be a much more significant part of the offensive package.

Butler knows this and is looking forward to the receivers being an integral part of the offense this season.

"We want them to call a pass every play," Butler said. "But we have Tony who is a great back who has to get his carries. We are looking forward to when our number is called to make the most of it. We all feed off each other."