Penn State's No. 1 Reason For Hope - Daryll Clark

by BSD on Aug 31, 2009 9:00 AM EDT in Football Comment 58 comments

What a difference a year makes.

It was almost exactly one year ago when we first learned that Daryll Clark would be the starting quarterback against Coastal Carolina. Up until that time he was consumed with just winning the starting job. Forget about beating Ohio State, or winning the Big Ten, or almost playing for the National Championship. Daryll Clark just didn't want to spend another year sitting on the bench. And before he was named the starter, you could tell in his interviews he was nervous about it.

He barely won the job to the chagrin of many Penn State fans. Many felt Pat Devlin gave Penn State the best chance to win, and doubted Clark had arm and intelligence of a big time quarterback. So Clark just went out and threw for 2592 yards, 19 touchdowns against six interceptions, rushed for another ten touchdowns ,and led his team to a conference championship and the Rose Bowl for the first time in 15 years. Not bad for a guy who didn't even know he would be the starter going into preseason camp.

Skip ahead to today, and this is a different man from the one we saw a year ago. Clark is no longer looking over his shoulder at Pat Devlin who left the program in December. He's no longer shaking off the criticism of the doubters who say he's just a glorified running back lining up under center. When you see him on camera he oozes confidence. He's dripping with moxie. He didn't spend the offseason trying to win a job. He spent the offseason trying to build a championship football team. Daryll Clark is the man. This is his team. And he knows it.

No single position in college football is more important than the quarterback. Without good quarterback play, you're stuck in the mud. You can win a lot of games with a good quarterback, but if you want to be truly great, you need a great quarterback. Daryll Clark is a great quarterback.

There's always an argument that goes like this: Is it easier to break in a new quarterback with an experienced group of receivers, or is it easier to break in a new group a receivers with an experienced quarterback. Though Clark was highly successful with three senior receivers last year, I believe it's easier to break in new receivers with an experienced quarterback. A reciever just needs to know his assignment, which is basically the route he's running and maybe his hot read if there's a blitz. A quarterback has to know the routes all of his receivers are running, but he also needs to know their hot reads, the coverages they're facing, and his blocking schemes. So if I have to choose between three guys knowing just their assignments versus one guy having to knowing everything, I prefer to have the experience at the quarterback position.

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WOO WE'RE GOING 13-0 AND WINNING OUR SECOND HEISMAN WOO!

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Aug 31, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pass my that Kool-aid.

We’re undefeated and I feel like getting drunk on it. Can you color Yuengling blue?

by NittanySeaLion on Aug 31, 2009 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lucky gun, fake fifth, 8XY bitch
Daryll Clark

by letsgopsu on Aug 31, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

It’s already a delicious and succulent golden brown already, so I’m not sure Blue food coloring would work unless you poured in a whole bottle. You could try it out I guess, but that could be a waste of Yuengling. Good idea though. I’m sure it’s a lot easier to color a diluted piss color to green like Bud Light for St. Pattys day.

by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 31, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah, this feels good...

so how long til RUTS comes and ruins the party?

by AdamShell on Aug 31, 2009 10:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Eww.

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Aug 31, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s what she said.

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Aug 31, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I mean, seriously dude?

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Aug 31, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clark was my man as soon as he went in against ND and got us a TD. I fell off the QB14 bandwagon during that game and for two long seasons I was in the stands screaming for Clark to go in. It’s still amazing to me he wasn’t stuck in there against Ohio St. ’06 or Mich ’07 as a situational/wildcat type of package. There were so many times in 2006 and 2007 that the offense just need something, anything to get a spark going. We finally learned our lesson during the Alamo Bowl and look at the difference he made just running: converting 3rd downs, sustaing drives, etc.

Up there with one of the bigger mysteries/controversies of this modern PSU team is who was behind the decision to keep Clark off the field during those years when anyone could see he was capable of helping us win.

"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.

by millzners on Aug 31, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I wish my seats were near you instead of the old man who screamed for Devlin all year last year, All he did was yell that “Clark’s done nothin!”. I hate that crabby guy.

Lucky gun, fake fifth, 8XY bitch
Daryll Clark

by letsgopsu on Aug 31, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Through the WHOLE season?

9-0, including a win in Columbus, even though he got hurt, is nothing short of incredible. I can’t believe that guy.

by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 31, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty much. If Clark messed up just one tiny bit, maybe missed a throw, etc.. Maybe he was Devlin’s dad. j/k, but he may have had a personal connection to Devlin

Lucky gun, fake fifth, 8XY bitch
Daryll Clark

by letsgopsu on Aug 31, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Many of the old timers were convinced Devlin was the 2nd coming of Kerry Collins. And maybe he would have been if he wasn’t so shy of healthy QB competition.

But I read their bios early on and I always thought a kid from the hood who’s struggled and fought for every opportunity he’s ever had would make a better QB then some kid who’s been coddled and spoonfed his whole life. Turns out it may not make you a better QB, but it makes you a better competitor. I think that’s why Clark won the starting role, and that’s why Devlin bounced.

"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.

by millzners on Aug 31, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did Devlin lose?

Isn’t it that Clark won? Look how tight the competition was, and look how good of a year Clark had. I think that bodes well for the talents of Devlin, and I fully expect him to be in the NFL in two years because of his skill.

by STU Boy on Aug 31, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Devlin lost because Joe hates the Irish.

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Aug 31, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like I said, Devlin may end up being a better QB at the next level, or just a better QB period. But he wasn’t as much of a competitor as Clark.

At the end of the day, when it’s 4th and long and the game is riding on your QB to keep you in the game, I’ll take the tough-as-nails compeitior over the pure-bred QB.

"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.

by millzners on Aug 31, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But my point is

How do you know that he’s not tough as nails? We never got to see him play really. Hell, he very well may be as clutch and tough as Clark. He was beat out, which doesn’t mean he didn’t put up a fight.

And just because he transfered doesn’t change that. It was a logical move for him personally. Instead of one year for the scouts to look at him, he gets two. If he only had one season to start at PSU and it didn’t go that well, it would severely hurt his football future.

by STU Boy on Aug 31, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well this is the debate

Some people say “hey, he just did what was best for his future and his career.” And I accept that and wish him the best; I’ll even root for him at the next level. But my opinion is that Devlin made a selfish decision that hurt the team. It continues to hurt the team. And really how much better off is he starting one extra season?

Meanwhile, he would have started next year with a veteran line (return 4/5 starters), a deep and talented group of receivers with lots of experience, and the possibility for the best RB in the conference to return. That’s an offense that could have given last year’s crew a run for their money; hell that’s an offense I think could have given 1994’s crew a run for their money…

"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.

by millzners on Aug 31, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

I think we are just are both on our respective sides of the fence with this debate. I do like having coherent, sound arguements though because I think they’re interesting and fun.

by STU Boy on Aug 31, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what mystery?

Hasn’t JoePa admitted on several occasions that it was his decision to sit DC and Devlin and leave QB14 on the field, even though Jay was arguing for DC to get playing time?

Joe’s said this more than once, most recently at the big ten media day.

I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.

by spakajewia on Aug 31, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the issue is that

some people don’t believe him and think he’s covering for Jay. I have no idea if that’s true or not but I’ve seen in mentioned more than once.

Order your copy of "We Are Penn State" The offseason is long. So is this magazine.

by Kevin HD on Aug 31, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I’ve heard these variations:

1. Joe and Jay agreed that Morelli’s fagile psyche would wilt away to nothing if Clark got playing time. That the sense of a competition for the QB role would have destroyed any semblance of confidence that Morelli had. Joe hinted at this in his last PC.
2. Jay thought it was a bad idea, and convinced Joe not to play Clark despite Joe wanting to. Joe covered for Jay when that decision don’t work out. This is the conspiracy theory.
3. Jay thought it was a great idea, but couldn’t convince Joe to play Clark. Joe just didn’t think it was a good idea. Joe told this version of the story a few times.

I’d just love to know what really happened.

"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.

by millzners on Aug 31, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I'm crazy...

but I’m going to go ahead and take Joe Paterno at his word.

I’ve never been one for conspirancy theories, but I’m really not buying one that depends upon JoePa telling boldface lies on more than one occasion.

I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.

by spakajewia on Aug 31, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

the first time I watched the video from the presser and heard him state that, I could just tell he knew then that he simply made the wrong decision – in not giving DC#17 more PT.

"...big hitter; the Llamma...long..."

by BlueWhiteLife on Aug 31, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

PSU football is so much...

more enjoyable when the QB position is helmed by guys like Clark, MRob, Collins, heck even Sacca (John). Hope Clark can stay healthy. Interestingly, Stew Mandel of SI.com says PSU is overranked, but will play in the Orange Bowl against Ga. Tech.

by Esteban d' Amur on Aug 31, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I really don’t know what people see in Jawja Tech.

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Aug 31, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They are tough to defend with only a week’s worth of prep, but we saw what LSU did to them with a month to prep. I would think PSU’s D matches up well. Secondary won’t be exposed in coverage like the 2nd Quarter of the Rose Bowl.

by Esteban d' Amur on Aug 31, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But how long until that wears off?

I the edge is that it’s new, then after 2 or 3 years you have no edge at all.

And I think PSU’s defense is set up perfectly to defend it…one of the few teams I would have almost no worries about.

Order your copy of "We Are Penn State" The offseason is long. So is this magazine.

by Kevin HD on Aug 31, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tech

They basically have 3 really good running backs. Dwyer was then #1 pick out of the state of GA his senior year and Roddy Jones wasn’t too far down that list. Can’t recall the QB’s name, Nesbitt I think, but he can run and I think came out of one of the a high school programs that runs the option. The better passer (he was a sub 50% passer last year) he becomes the tougher Tech gets because the pass then becomes a viable option. I don’t think Tech will win the ACC but they are a dangerous team to play because they require the defense to play assignment football. If you D-ends, corners and LBs are not disciplined it creates match-ups from hell!

I thought only safeties played 15 yards off the ball?

by pic15 on Sep 2, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

d'oh

I meant Tony Sacca.

by Esteban d' Amur on Aug 31, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

DC17

gives us a decided edge at QB against everyone on the regular season schedule. I’m really looking forward to watching him play this year.

by Joe 96alum on Aug 31, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I must admit . . .

I thought Devlin should start. I was wrong.

Clark represents Penn State so well, on the field and in public.

Great leader, tough as nails and makes great decisions.

Too bad he didn’t start instead of Morelli in ‘07, but that’s water under the bridge.

by CDRS on Aug 31, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

One of the best posts I have read on here

Is it Saturday yet?

by cjj127 on Aug 31, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My expression for DC17...

is that he’s now “playing on heisman level.” not so much that he’s going to be a heisman contender with the type of numbers that the mccoys, bradfords, baby jesus tebow, and insert texas tech QB du jour here will put up, but rather that the USC defense for him was the equivalent of playing NCAA ’10 on all-american, growing the balls to move up a level after winning every game 70-0, playing on heisman and realizing you could compete (despite not winning).

People like to roll their eyes when superlatives are heaped upon USC, but that was a pretty vicious D he played against and earned their respect, calling PSU the best offense they ever faced. I always felt like he got a little too keyed up for games, putting too much pressure on himself and not playing relaxed, often sailing passes high in the 1Q. He no longer has to worry about getting benched in favor of Devlin, its his team, and he gained a lot of confidence staring that USC team in the teeth and is now a better player for it.

Despite losing our big play threats, if none step up, I still look for a very efficient season out of DC.

by larchlion on Aug 31, 2009 11:53 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs

+1 for you sir!

"Want a donut go to dunkin donuts, want a linebacker go to Penn State."
- Cris Carter, NFL Draft, 4/25/09

by kmblue on Aug 31, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Watching him stand in the pocket against them in the second half earned my respect. He’s a great asset to us this year.

"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69

by jtothep on Sep 1, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

He’s a great asset to us this year.

This gets my vote for “Understatement of the day”.

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Sep 1, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A vote, but no rec?

by jtothep on Sep 1, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

No... Aw, what the Zug

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Sep 1, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1 for shameless rec whoring

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Sep 1, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would have -1'd him for being a rec whore

by dawsonPSU10 on Sep 1, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please, please give this whore a rec

by jtothep on Sep 1, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You need to be stopped.

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Sep 1, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

by jtothep on Sep 2, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No!

No he doesn’t. Good find Jtot!

Put a tarp on that circus! - showtime @ BSD

by bconway6 on Sep 2, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When someone posts Hannah Montana THEY NEED TO BE STOPPED

Has your bacon gone bad?

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Sep 2, 2009 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish we had two teams so we could have seen Devlin and Clark take the helm- not so much for the sake of comparison, I just really liked watching both of them play. Stylistically, they were different quarterbacks, but they were both fun to watch.

That said, I completely believe in a healthy Clark.

Penn Staters belong at Penn State. The problem with a lot of kids is they just don’t know they are Penn Staters yet. -jesse. @ BSD

by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Aug 31, 2009 12:49 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Is it bad that I never gave a second thought to Devlin?

Not in disrespect towards him, but…He. Is. Gone. Not so much here on this site, but elsewhere people need to LET IT GO. He is of no concern to me now, because he doesn’t play for Penn State or one of our opponents. No coulda shoulda woulda. We all know DC17 will never be clear of Devlin in some people’s minds especially pending the results of their respective careers. But it doesn’t matter at this point because Devlin no longer plays for us, he is no longer an option, stop crying about it and move on. Daryll Clark is our quarterback, trust the god darn coaches that always get our respect(until they make a decision we disagree with of course.)

Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.

"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth."

by Roland86 on Aug 31, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Darryl Clark is Superman

Found this on There is No Name on my Jersey blog:

It’s my new avatar.

"The sea was angry that day, my friends." G. Costanza

by NJ lion on Aug 31, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ok, so it didn't work

Anywho, check out the avatar and/or the TINNOMJ blog for the pic.

"The sea was angry that day, my friends." G. Costanza

by NJ lion on Aug 31, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is sweet!

"...big hitter; the Llamma...long..."

by BlueWhiteLife on Aug 31, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome

1. inspiring awe
2.

by Aaron PSU on Aug 31, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Devlin

I’ll see Devlin start for the Delaware Blue Hens friday night here in Newark, DE. I’ll let you guys know for those who are interested in if he succeeds or fails.

by MGPardoePSU on Aug 31, 2009 9:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Go for it

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Aug 31, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love DC

But I do hope that he doesn’t pout this year when things go awry! This happened on a couple of occasions last year and it simply can’t this year. He needs to be the field general and help the young receivers out. I have confidence that he has matured and expect GREAT things from Mr. Clark in 2009!

I thought only safeties played 15 yards off the ball?

by pic15 on Sep 2, 2009 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He's a great asset to us this year

by jtothep on Sep 2, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Sep 2, 2009 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a feeling Pouty Clark is a thing of the past

If he makes a mistake this year, I expect him to just shake his head, maybe pat himself on the chest acknowledging it was his fault, then go over to the coaches to ask for input on what to fix for next time.

Btw, I know it happened a few times last year where he got really upset about making a mistake, but one of those was when he was taken out of the tOSU game, and in his defense, he was concussed and not in his right mind at the time, so I could understand his frustration at being taken out of the game.

by dawsonPSU10 on Sep 2, 2009 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs