Daryll Clark has had no trouble using his arms and legs to beat defenses over the first six weeks of 2008. With what people have considered to be a “cupcake schedule” up until this point for Penn State, with only one tough game against Illinois, this weekend’s game promises to be a true test for the Nittany Lions' quarterback.
Emulating the Michael Robinson-type style that Penn State ran in 2005, Clark has surprised many Lions fans who pleaded for Joe Paterno to start the highly-touted Pat Devlin, one of the top quarterback recruits in the nation only two years ago.
Wisconsin has showed two different types of defense against the run this year, giving a hard read to how a dual-threat quarterback such as Clark will fare this Saturday.
Against Michigan, the Badgers' defensive line had trouble stopping Wolverines quarterback Steven Threet, who racked up 89 yards on the ground. Just one week later, Wisconsin managed to hold the nation’s No. 1 recruit Terrelle Pryor to only 20 yards on the ground.
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The Badgers are fourth in the Big Ten in total defense at 309.8 yards per game and are allowing only 17.6 points per game, holding four opponents to 20 points or less. On the other hand, the Lions lead the conference and are No. 8 nationally in rushing at 256.6 yards per game. Penn State's 21 rushing touchdowns are the second highest in the nation, trailing only the 22 scored by Oregon.
While the Badgers have a defensive-line filled with oversized starters and better-than-average run-stoppers, Clark should be able to penetrate Wisconsin’s defense and earn some positive yardage with one of the nation’s top offensive lines in front of him.
With the dual-threat tailbacks behind Clark, and the athleticism that a weapon like Derrick Williams possesses, Clark has the advantage of drawing a defense the wrong way while running the option.
While running the “HD Spread” that the Lions have been known for this season, Clark has the ability to use his arm to beat defenses as well. He has shown a surprisingly excellent pocket presence and has thrown nine touchdowns, while only throwing for one interception. Clark has also run the ball into the end zone four times.
With Clark’s size and athleticism, mixed with the momentum on Penn State’s side, Clark should have enough confidence in himself and his offensive line to put up big numbers against a solid defense such as Wisconsin’s.
In the Lions' first true road test of the season, and going in undefeated, anything can happen. Clark and his offense will need to win the turnover battle to win this game.
If Clark can continue to put up his excellent numbers, and Penn State’s dominant defensive line can stop PJ Hill, Penn State should surprise a lot of people this weekend and win this game by two scores.
This team has enough experience and maturity to not look forward to Michigan and Ohio State in the following weeks, and should take care of business on Saturday night in front of a national audience.
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about 1 month ago
Clark's first name actually has two L's... let me see if I can go in there and edit that for ya...
Otherwise, he's gotten his chance, and has responded. Clark is former QB Michael Robinson, not entirely as fast, but more accurate... and with the other pieces, they would be much like the '05 team - but maybe even better, especially with the experience and talent of the o-line.
about 1 month ago
OK made that edit, had a chance to read the piece... good read. I see you mentioned Michael Robinson as well.
But yes, I agree on your key, the biggest key of the game is Penn State stopping the run game, but not just of Hill, but also Clay. If they stop those two, that forces Evridge to stay with and beat the Nittany Lions offense.
Either way, Camp Randall is a tough place to stay, and the Badger fans will be ready, as will the players - should be a good game.
from about 1 month ago
"tough place to play" - my bad.
from about 1 month ago
thanks for the comments and the edit...appreciate it
about 1 month ago
Kevin I disagree that Clark is Michael Robinson.
I view them as two totally different players. I view Robinson much like Pat White from WVU, a really good athlete who can play a little quarterback, where I view Clark as much more of a true pocket-type QB who's got gobs of athletic ability.
The thing I am mosed impressed with for Clark this season has been his ability to rely on his arm to win. He hasn't run much at all and I think this offense will really be scary when he runs more.
Make no mistake though, Clark is NOT Michael Robinson.
from about 1 month ago
Ryan,
It's a loose comparison, but it's mostly made from the Penn State QB standpoint. Think of the past QB's for Penn State... over the past decade or more... all pocket passers, except for Michael Robinson, who was an athlete, built like a tank, with mobility, the extra option to run. That is what Clark is... except to me, he just is a much more pure passer. As some of the color commentary guys call him, he's a passer that can run as opposed to a running QB that needs to learn how to pass. Obviously, there's a big difference there. So anyway, that's what I'm getting at... that if you're comparing him to any QB of Penn State's past, he's the guy, and that's why I have no problem doing it.
Either way, great performance by the Nittany Lions last night...
from about 1 month ago
I agree with Kevin here. Clark is a MRob who throws first and runs second. Clark is a better passer, but is still very athletic. Robinson is a little more athletic than Clark, and not as good of a passer. These two are very similar, just their style switched a little bit.
Domination by the Lions...it might be a little early, but National Championship, anyone?
about 1 month ago
If Joe allows the offensive coaches to game plan the way they want, Penn State wins big, and I mean big.
53-12
If Joe forces a conservative scheme on the offense like he did last week, Penn State wins, but the game will be close.
24-15
from about 1 month ago
wow Jay...41 point prediction win...you my friend are awesome haha
from about 1 month ago
Forget the testy exchange between myself and Ryan, but look at the predictions over on this board. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/32439-michigan-football-2008-schedule-predictions. I hitched my wagon to Penn State a long time ago and I am not about to back off them now. Too bad my predictions outside the Big Ten are far from accurate. Darn Volunteers.
from about 1 month ago
KISS MY A$% what an amazing pick!!! Damn yer good!
from about 1 month ago
Like I said, I am getting owned OOC however. Of course, I don't follow other conferences the way I do the Big Ten.
about 1 month ago
Clark is NOT Michael Robinson...true.
Nothing against Clark though, but Robinson is one of the best all-around athletes and leaders I have ever seen on the field of play at that level.
from about 1 month ago
Clark's a better passer, though.
about 1 month ago
I agree with Kevin in that Mrob, in Penn States past, is the quarterback that Clark is most similar to. I also think Clark has more options and play making ability than MRob did. Both outstanding athletes, if Clark can overcome OSU and lead his team to the NC and come back with the W, then this 2008 team might be the best group of football players to pass through Beaver Stadium. However challenges still lie in Clarks way, in 3 weeks we will know for sure whether PSU is ready to clinch the NC.
about 1 month ago
Thanks for commenting Jon.
I agree completely that Clark is an MRob type of quarterback...obviously he is, he is a dual-threat quarterback who runs the option and is a big powerful player. If anyone can't see that, than they don't know about football.
I am saying that he is not MRob in two senses....Clark has a lot to prove to show that he has the leadership skills that MRob has...nothing against Clark, but he has to prove that to me...did a great job of it on Saturday and almost has me convinced.
I don't know if it's just that fall of 2005 was the best 3 months of my life just because of the emotions and time I had at Penn State with the football team's success--it was literally amazing, everyday just had a great feel to it....but Clark needs to show me that he can do what MRob did at Michigan...yes I know PSU lost, but that last drive---13 plays 81 yards in 1:54 and a fourth-down run, at least three third-down conversions...MRob proved to me that day (following two of the biggest regular season wins in this program's recent history against Minn and OSU) that he is one of the best leaders I have ever seen take the football field in my life.
Clark also is a great athlete, but MRob was a freak of nature. He doesn't even look fast but he could run a 4.4 on a good day, and with that size, that is impressive.
Clark's pocket presense--I have to add on, just have to---incredible. I said to my friend Saturday night in a text that "Clark's pocket presense is astounding."
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