Before longtime Penn State football coach Joe Paterno was even born, there was a guy named Bob Higgins who helped put the Nittany Lions on the map when he was named an All-American in 1915 and 1919.

Higgins, who also coached the Lions from 1930-48, had a daughter, Ginger, who married a Penn State football star named Steve Suhey. Their three sons, Paul, Larry and Matt, played football at Penn State.

Some refer to the Higgins/Suhey clan at the First Family of Penn State football.

And it’s still growing.

Deerfield resident and former Loyola Academy standout Joe Suhey is ready to keep the tradition alive. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior (who is sophomore eligible) enters Penn State’s camp as the No. 1 fullback on the depth chart.

The Higgins/Suhey family has 93 years of involvement in 122 seasons of Penn State football. Even the legend Paterno can’t match that, unless he is still coaching when he is 116-years-old.

The veteran coach is impressed with Joe Suhey’s lineage.

“I don’t know how the bloodlines can run any deeper,” Paterno said. “His grandfather – I lived with him for a year. His father…his (uncles)…they all went to Penn State. Joe is a good football player and he’s going to be playing a lot of football this year.”

Paterno has coached several fathers and sons over the years. But, at 82, he admits he can err.

“Sometimes I call Joey, ‘Matt.’ ” Paterno said smiling.

It may not be long before Joe carves out his own niche. Matt Suhey is well known in the Chicago area because he was a popular running back for the Bears for 10 seasons, including the Super Bowl-winning 1985 squad.

Joe Suhey red-shirted his fresman season in 2007.

Last year, he played every game but was limited to nine carries for 26 yards and two catches for 36 yards. He has also been lauded for his blocking ability, which makes him a frontrunner for the fullback spot.

By Jeff Vorva

Triblocal.com reporter