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Blog: Nittany Lines
Go deep on Penn State Football with Sports Editor Bill Kline's Nittany Lines blog.
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Daryll Clark still doesn't remember a two-series stretch of last year's game in Columbus. One minute he was on the field, the next he was on the sideline, looking for his helmet to return to the game.
''I've watched it on TV over and over,'' the Penn State quarterback said. ''I look upset, like I was benched. That's definitely what it looked like. But I really don't remember yelling and screaming. There's still a period of that game that I do not remember.''
It's the most significant victory of his career as a starting quarterback, and Clark wasn't on the field for the finish. Sidelined by a concussion, Clark watched, fuzzily, as backup Pat Devlin led two fourth-quarter scoring drives in a 13-6 Penn State victory.
Though Penn State lists Clark's record as 19-3 as a starting quarterback, he can't quite claim that win over Ohio State. Which is why today's game against the Buckeyes will go a long way toward establishing his legacy with the Lions.
Clark has a chance to become the first quarterback to take Penn State to BCS bowl games in back-to-back seasons. He has been the starting quarterback in road victories at Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State, though he didn't finish the last one. And he leads the Big Ten in pass efficiency, with a rating of 149.30.
But as for a real signature victory -- beyond winning against overmatched teams at Wisconsin and Michigan and vs. Michigan State -- Clark still is searching. He has lost twice to Iowa, throwing four interceptions in two games, and also fell short in the Rose Bowl against USC. With four games remaining in his Penn State career, however, Clark can cement his legacy with victories over Ohio State and in a bowl game.
''I don't really pay attention to those things,'' Clark said. ''When you fall into that kind of trap, you're focusing on the wrong things. If you buy into the idea that people waiting for you to win a big game, it may happen, it may not. I haven't done that, and I don't plan on doing that.''
Since the September loss to Iowa, in which he threw three interceptions, Clark has been at the top of his game. He has thrown nine touchdown passes to one interception and also has rushed for five touchdowns. Clark has not thrown an interception in his last three games after throwing six through his first four.
Penn State coach Joe Paterno, who has campaigned for national recognition for his quarterback recently, also defended him from criticism over the loss to the Hawkeyes.
''I resent that question, to be frank with you,'' Paterno said when whether Clark has made any adjustments since the Iowa game. ''I said several times that I thought he played a heck of a game against Iowa. I don't think our getting licked by Iowa had anything to do with Daryll's performance.''
Clark would disagree, saying still that he blames himself for both losses to Iowa. Clark has a tendency to emotionally amplify situations, particularly in big games. This is something on which he's working.
''I really know how to handle the situation,'' Clark said. ''I put too much pressure on myself for that Iowa game when I shouldn't have. Now I know how to prepare.''
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said he expects Clark, who didn't attempt a designed run through the first three games, to use every available resource today.
''He's a physical player,'' Tressel said. ''Hasn't run much this year, but I would expect him to run a little bit more in this game, because they're going to do whatever it takes in this battle.''
As if he needs any more inspiration, Clark grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, where the shadows of Tressel and Ohio State both loom large. Add that to the game's already high stakes, and this could be a signature moment for him.
''We understand how important it is,'' Clark said. ''At the same time, it's another football game. It's going to be a slugfest. May the best team win.''
mark.wogenrich@mcall.com
610-820-6588
''I've watched it on TV over and over,'' the Penn State quarterback said. ''I look upset, like I was benched. That's definitely what it looked like. But I really don't remember yelling and screaming. There's still a period of that game that I do not remember.''
It's the most significant victory of his career as a starting quarterback, and Clark wasn't on the field for the finish. Sidelined by a concussion, Clark watched, fuzzily, as backup Pat Devlin led two fourth-quarter scoring drives in a 13-6 Penn State victory.
Though Penn State lists Clark's record as 19-3 as a starting quarterback, he can't quite claim that win over Ohio State. Which is why today's game against the Buckeyes will go a long way toward establishing his legacy with the Lions.
Clark has a chance to become the first quarterback to take Penn State to BCS bowl games in back-to-back seasons. He has been the starting quarterback in road victories at Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State, though he didn't finish the last one. And he leads the Big Ten in pass efficiency, with a rating of 149.30.
But as for a real signature victory -- beyond winning against overmatched teams at Wisconsin and Michigan and vs. Michigan State -- Clark still is searching. He has lost twice to Iowa, throwing four interceptions in two games, and also fell short in the Rose Bowl against USC. With four games remaining in his Penn State career, however, Clark can cement his legacy with victories over Ohio State and in a bowl game.
''I don't really pay attention to those things,'' Clark said. ''When you fall into that kind of trap, you're focusing on the wrong things. If you buy into the idea that people waiting for you to win a big game, it may happen, it may not. I haven't done that, and I don't plan on doing that.''
Since the September loss to Iowa, in which he threw three interceptions, Clark has been at the top of his game. He has thrown nine touchdown passes to one interception and also has rushed for five touchdowns. Clark has not thrown an interception in his last three games after throwing six through his first four.
Penn State coach Joe Paterno, who has campaigned for national recognition for his quarterback recently, also defended him from criticism over the loss to the Hawkeyes.
''I resent that question, to be frank with you,'' Paterno said when whether Clark has made any adjustments since the Iowa game. ''I said several times that I thought he played a heck of a game against Iowa. I don't think our getting licked by Iowa had anything to do with Daryll's performance.''
Clark would disagree, saying still that he blames himself for both losses to Iowa. Clark has a tendency to emotionally amplify situations, particularly in big games. This is something on which he's working.
''I really know how to handle the situation,'' Clark said. ''I put too much pressure on myself for that Iowa game when I shouldn't have. Now I know how to prepare.''
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said he expects Clark, who didn't attempt a designed run through the first three games, to use every available resource today.
''He's a physical player,'' Tressel said. ''Hasn't run much this year, but I would expect him to run a little bit more in this game, because they're going to do whatever it takes in this battle.''
As if he needs any more inspiration, Clark grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, where the shadows of Tressel and Ohio State both loom large. Add that to the game's already high stakes, and this could be a signature moment for him.
''We understand how important it is,'' Clark said. ''At the same time, it's another football game. It's going to be a slugfest. May the best team win.''
mark.wogenrich@mcall.com
610-820-6588
