Penn State 2008 Review: QB, LB Questions Answered on Road to Rose Bowl

A lot of people, including those media experts, didn't give much thought to Penn St. winning the Big Ten, if not contending. One media outlet (Sporting News) had Penn St. projected seventh. Maybe so, but that low?

There were two main concerns heading into the 2008 campaign. The first was how to replace Sean Lee, and second...who would be the QB? Well, after an 11-1 season and a Big Ten title, those two questions got answered and then some.

Lets start with question one. It was a major concern for JoePa as to what would happen at the linebacker position, as Sean Lee was lost for the season due to an ACL injury during spring practice. Two names stepped up, and one struggled at times while another was solid: Josh Hull and Tyrell Sales.

Hull was a big surprise as he finished the year with 66 total tackles and two fumbles recovered, while Sales finished with 64. Hull's big game was an eight-tackle performance vs. Ohio St. Sales had two 10-tackle games vs. Oregon St. and Michigan. Sales was honored as an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten on defense.

Linebacker will be fine with Hull gaining valuable experience this season as Lee comes back in 2009.

Now to probably the biggest concern to Lion Nation...quarterback. After the 2007 season, I believe anyone but Anthony Morelli would have been acceptable. To a lot of people's surprise, Daryll Clark got the nod over Pat Devlin, but Devlin would have been a good choice as well, so PSU had a good problem.

As the season would indicate, Clark was the MAN.

Clark's first test was against Oregon St., and he passed: 14-23, 215 yds., two TDs, five rushes, 64 yds., and a TD in a 45-14 win. The next test came vs. Illinois in prime time—a 14-20, 181 yd., two-TD, 62 rushing yds., and one-TD performance in a 38-24 victory.

Then came the gauntlet: Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio St. These three games were where Clark would be highly evaluated.

Against Wisconsin Clark went 16-25, 244 yds., one TD, one INT, and two rushing TDs. In the Michigan game he threw two TDs passing and had one rushing in a 46-17 win. Now the big one vs. Ohio St. It wasn't his better game of the year, but he didn't turn the ball over and gave the Lions a chance to win. He didn't finish the game, but the Lions won 13-7.

Everyone knows about the Iowa game, and Clark pinned the loss on himself as it cost Penn St. a shot at the National title. Joe Paterno and the rest of the team stood behind him. The development would culminate against Michigan St., and did it ever. A 341 yd., four-TD performance would answer the question as to who the quarterback should be.

During the gauntlet Clark had only one turnover, while vs. Iowa he had two turnovers, one of which led to Iowa's one touchdown. Clark's season of 171-285-four INTs, 2,319 yds., 17 TDs, 362 rush yds., and nine rushing TDs led to a first team All-Big Ten selection and a Big Ten title.

Penn State's future heading into the 2009 season at these two positions is very bright. Yes, there are holes like the O-line that will need to be addressed, but with Hull and Lee back at linebacker and Clark as the leader at quarterback, all is not bleak in Happy Valley.