Penn State Report Card: Joe Paterno, Nittany Lions Earn Overall "B+"

Prior to the start of the 2009 season, Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark and running back Evan Royster were considered to be possible Heisman contenders.

The Nittany Lions started out the season strong in the passing game, with Clark set to prove to critics that he could still lead a high-flying offense even with a young offensive line and inexperienced receivers.

Because of that, the rushing offense faltered.

Three games into the season, the Nittany Lions decided to make a statement with its rushing game. Since then, Royster has racked up 648 yards on the ground with a 5.8 yards-per-carry average and four touchdowns. Daryll Clark has added four rushing touchdowns of his own.

The offensive line has surprised many fans on the year, having held up for the most part through eight games. That could also be attributed to the level of competition on the other side of the ball. We’ll see when Penn State travels to Michigan this Saturday.

If there is an issue to be quickly fixed, it lies with Clark in the pocket. When he’s been sacked, it’s usually because he refuses to move out of the pocket and make things happen with his feet, which is what made him such a weapon in the “Spread HD” offense last year.

A mobile quarterback forces the linebackers to move up on the play and defensive coverage to break up. Clark has grown more efficient throwing on the run, and while scrambling out of the pocket he has the ability to either find an open receiver downfield or pick up yards on his own.

Penn state is in the top 20 in total offense, with 432.7 yards per game.

Grade: B

In Penn State’s case, “D” stands for “DOMINATION.”

Some concerns coming into the 2009 season included Penn State’s defensive line and a young secondary.

Indeed, some teams are finding pass opportunities in the middle of the secondary, just beyond the linebackers. It appears that safeties Knowledge Timmons and Drew Astorino are having some trouble helping out in coverage downfield. It’s difficult to find out how competitive they can be until they face some downfield threats.

For the most part, the secondary has only had experience with Minnesota’s Eric Decker, and they will be sure to go up against some quick receivers later on in the year.

I’ve always said the Nittany Lions will never be bad on defense, but this year, they’re simply incredible.

They haven’t allowed a first half touchdown. They’ve had one shutout this year, and they average just 8.7 points allowed per game, which is first in the nation.

Linebacker U has given up 238.9 total yards per game, fifth in the nation. Just 75.4 rushing yards allowed per game, sixth in the nation.

Most of that came without its star linebacker Sean Lee, and also included three games without Navorro Bowman, another of the Lions’ top defensive threats.

What most people don’t realize is that Penn State is nearly seven deep at linebacker. Before the Minnesota game (which WAS a shutout), Lee and Bowman had played just three snaps alongside each other. And now they’re both back and healthy, in time for a tough game in Ann Arbor.

What’s that mean? It means that when the two superstars are leading the defense, they’ve allowed -7 yards in three snaps to begin the season and a shutout against a Big Ten rival.

There’s simply not much else to say about the defense. When you’re that dominant on the field, actions speak for themselves.

Grade: A+

In 2009 so far, arguably one play has separated Penn State from an undefeated season and a top-three ranking. A punt block by Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn turned around a fourth quarter lead for the Lions and led to 16 straight points and the eventual victory for the Hawkeyes.

Talk about momentum shift. That play will be remembered as Penn State’s special teams blunder of 2009.

Other than that, Jeremy Boone has once again been his usual self, knocking 18 punts for an average of 46.5 yards per punt.

On the other hand, junior kicker Collin Wagner has been questionable through the season, making just 60 percent of his field goals, including a miss from under 30 yards.

Penn State has had a recent history of developing a solid kicking game, from Robbie Gould earlier in the decade to Kevin Kelly, who graduated last year. If there is a question with special teams, it’s in that area.

Grade: C+

Who says an 82-year-old coach can’t be a winner? Joe Paterno has consistently won since critics were calling for his job in 2004. Since then, he’s gone 46-12, with two BCS bowl berths and three out of four bowl victories.

Tom Bradley has also done an excellent job as defensive coordinator. He has managed to intermittently mix talented backup linebackers with the rest of the starting defense and come out on top game after game. Although he chooses not to blitz the defense all that often, they still manage to stifle running games and wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks.

Offensive coordinator Galen Hall made sure to shush the critics early in the year when he opened up the passing game and exposed his fresh receivers for the first time as starters. Halfway through the year he included Evan Royster much more in the offensive playbook, which consequently opened up Clark’s passing opportunities even more.

One problem with the offensive play-calling lies with the pressure Clark has been seeing. As I mentioned earlier, the opposition last year would fear his arm just as much as his legs.

Paterno has insisted Daryll rely more on his arm than his legs, especially after his concussion at Ohio State last year, and Galen Hall has called the plays accordingly.

The only problem is, Clark becomes flustered when he gets heavy pressure in the pocket. He tends to force throws, resulting in interceptions or fumbles in the backfield.

The past two games showed a little more of his scrambling ability, with more spread shotgun plays and play-action boot legs around the ends. This will help tire defenses out if they can continue to run him outside the pocket.

Grade: B

Penn State has been dominant and well-disciplined this year, despite the late fourth quarter upset at home. The Lions are fifth in the country in penalty yards, with 36 per game. Thankfully, Paterno’s players have stayed out of his doghouse and out of the media’s negative light.

The rest of the Nittany Lions’ schedule includes two tough games in East Lansing and Ann Arbor, with another tough home game against the Buckeyes.

Depending on Iowa’s fortune the rest of the year, a Penn State BCS bowl berth is certainly not out of the question. A Hawkeye undefeated season or two losses to them could mean another trip to Pasadena for the Lions. Either way, another successful season and a January bowl game seems to lie ahead.

Overall: B+