STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Fourth-and-1 at midfield on the game's opening drive, and Penn State is going for it.

The previous regime might have played it safe in such a situation and punted to play for field position. Most other coaches probably would, too.

But these are Bill O'Brien's Nittany Lions now.

''So once we get really close to the 50, I'm pretty much not going to punt it,'' the coach said this week. ''I'm just going to tell you that.''

Talk about a new era at Penn State.

So many changes have engulfed the program hit by scandal and strict NCAA sanctions, and one of the biggest is the coach and his strategy. O'Brien arrived in January from the New England Patriots, where he coordinated a high-octane offense, and ever so slowly, he is trying to employ the same aggressive approach at Penn State.

The results so far have been so-so. Navy (0-1) visits Beaver Stadium on Saturday, with Penn State hoping to avoid its first season-opening three-game slide since it was 0-4 in 2001.

The offense is young or inexperienced at most of the skill positions. The execution has been sporadic in the red zone. But there's no doubt that the play-calling has been spiced up, and that's all O'Brien.

The Nittany Lions converted two fourth-and-1 plays in the opening drive last week against Virginia, leading to Kyle Carter's 8-yard touchdown reception for a 7-0 lead.

Later, linebacker Glenn Carson ran for 19 yards and a first down on a fake punt on fourth-and-4 from the Penn State 42. And backup quarterback Steven Bench ran for 15 on a fourth-and-3 from the 50 for another first down later in the second quarter.

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Penn State finds success on 4th down, despite skid