STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -Built like a linebacker, quarterback Daryll Clark has the size to take hits and dish them out for Penn State.
It’s absorbing those tackles out in the open, on the run, that worries head coach Joe Paterno.
So while turning the 6-foot-3 Clark loose on designed runs helps jack up the No. 14 Nittany Lions’ offense, it also exposes the star quarterback to more potential body blows. Keeping Clark healthy is imperative: His backup is touted but raw freshman Kevin Newsome.
“I’m not going to be happy if we have to run Clark a lot until the younger kids come along,” Paterno said. “But I feel better each week, because some of the other kids are getting better each week. I would hope they would.”
Saturday might be Newsome’s best time to prove he’s ready to step up when needed. Eastern Illinois (4-1), a Football Championship Subdivision school, visits Penn State (4-1) for a nonconference matchup that has all the makings of a blowout.
hed eight times for 29 yards, mostly in the waning minutes of the Nittany Lions’ four lopsided wins.
Paterno said he wished he had given Newsome more time, but didn’t feel comfortable putting the freshman in situations where he couldn’t succeed.
“I always tell him, ‘Make sure you’re ready. Anything can happen,”’ Clark said about Newsome. “If everything goes as planned, he’s going to run it, and he’s going to throw it. Everyone will definitely see what type of talent he has.”
Things are looking up again in Happy Valley after a disappointing loss to Iowa two weeks ago. A dominating road win over Illinois worked wonders for the offense, especially the maligned offensive line.
They bowled over the struggling Illini last week for 338 rushing yards on 40 carries, led by running back Stephfon Green’s 120 yards. Fellow tailback Evan Royster added 105, and Clark broke out for a career-best 83 yards and two 1-yard TD plunges.
The big guys up front got a confidence boost. Right guard Lou Eliades especially stood out, throwing a key block that helped spring Green up the middle for a 52-yard scoring run.
It was a gratifying performance for Eliades, a junior who has been shuffled across the line until settling in at right guard. This year, Eliades had to deal with a high ankle sprain in preseason, and rebounded after being benched during a win over Syracuse in Penn State’s second game.
won’t consider the running game officially back until the offense performs more consistently.
“Well, I never feel one game makes it. You know, it’s obviously better than not having done as well as we did,” Paterno said. “It’s a young offensive line. I thought we were more precise. We finished off more blocking.”
Clark had seven carries last week after totaling nine for the first four games combined. He softened the Illini defense early with his arm, firing short passes over the middle.
Clark and Green later burned Illinois with big runs into the teeth of the defense.
Then Penn State got big gains bouncing runs outside, too.
“That’s definitely one of the reasons why we use the quarterback for running. It’s another dimension to the offense. Keeps the linebackers and safeties guessing,” Clark said. “If need be, no problem with running.”
It’s the threat of injury that remains a concern for Paterno. Clark said this week he tweaked a hip flexor on his first run of the Illinois game, but that he was fine now.
“I really don’t worry about it too much,” Clark said. “The whole worry about getting hurt on a certain play has to be thrown out the door.”
A right ankle injury last week to right tackle Nerraw McCormack, who solidified line play after getting promoted to starter last week, may not ease Paterno’s worries. McCormack hadn’t practiced as of midweek, with former starter DeOn’tae Pannell and reserve Ako Poti in the running to take over if McCormack can’t go.
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