Coach Joe Paterno did the right thing by naming redshirt Junior quarterback Daryll Clark as his starting QB.
August 26, 2008
(Philadelphia, Pa) --- Daryll
Clark will start at quarterback for Penn State in Saturday's season opener
against Coastal Carolina, coach Joe Paterno announced Tuesday. Clark and
Pat Devlin competed for the starting job during the preseason, but Paterno said
Clark's experience was a big factor in selecting the redshirt junior.
Clark, who wears #17 in honor of Super Bowl XXII MVP and BQB-Site good friend
Doug Williams, got his big break last year's Alamo Bowl as he came off the bench
to lead the Nittany Lions to a 24-17 win over Texas A&M. In the that game
Clark (6'2, 231) didn't throw a pass, but he ran 6 times for 50 yards including
an 11-yard touchdown.
For his career at Penn State, the Youngstown, Ohio native has appeared in 15
games the past two seasons attempting 36 passes, completing 20 for 147 yards
plus rushed the ball 27 times for 126 yards and five scores.
The
move by Paterno was expected as the venerable coach always likes Senior-type
leaders at quarterback and his son Jay, the play caller at PSU was a big
proponent of Clark. The redshirt junior passer will now have to produce on
the field as
highly touted recruit quarterback Pat Devlin is waiting in the wings.
Other BQB News
Minnesota Viking QB Tavaris Jackson is shutdown for the preseason - Jackson will sit out the preseason finale at Dallas on Thursday night after injuring his knee against Baltimore two weeks ago. Before the injury Jackson was red-hot with numbers of 15-22 for 200 yards and 1 TD with 22 yards rushing. LV's Take: I fully expect Jackson back for the regular-season opener against Green Bay on Sept. 8th, but he must guard against injuries as the knee injury is latest after a torn meniscus his rookie year and last year's list of groin, head and finger injuries,
Number #1 Recruit
Terrelle Pryor to play in a relief role as a true freshman -
Apparently “Super Recruit” Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor will be
ripping off his redshirt to compete and share time with Senior quarterback Todd
Boeckman. I am sure that Pryor will be used in a rotation similar to the
way Tim Tebow provided a change of pace to Chris Leak during the Buckeyes 2006
National Championship run. Boeckman has been humble even during the
onslaught of “V.Y model number PA2007″ questions since Pryor’s signing and his
anticipated role on the team. But the tough senior leader he welcomes the
competition and said of the challenge from the incoming freshman, “I want him to
push me, I want him to make me a better quarterback, a better player and a
better team leader.” LV's Take:
To me I think that competition from Pryor can only help Boeckman and the
Buckeye’s program, especially after faltering against speedy LSU in the National
Championship game last year. Pryor brings a multitude of skills including speed
and a strong understanding of the spread offense, so I fully expect him to be
the BIG Ten conference’s newcomer of the year. The transition from high school
hotshot to college backup quarterback may have some bumps in the road, but look
for the 6′6, 220 pound quarterback to rise to the occasion.
Two quick hits:
1) Good Luck to Byron Leftwich as the veteran quarterback got back in the NFL with the Steelers after veteran backup Charlie Batch broke his collarbone.
2) Additional good tidings go out to Former Kansas State star Michael Bishop as he was traded in the CFL from the Toronto Argonauts to the Sask. Roughriders this week.
--- Submitted by Lloyd Vance
