Priority 1: Find a starting quarterback
STATE COLLEGE - There's a school of thought that no matter which quarterback - Matt McGloin or Kevin Newsome, or possibly one of a pair of talented freshmen - wins the preseason battle and emerges as the starter at Penn State, the offense is going to, for the most part, look the same.
Evan Royster left, right and up the middle. And, for a change of pace, Stephfon Green left, right and up the middle.
Royster, a 6-foot-1, 225-pounder mentioned prominently when almost anyone's conversation turns to this season's Heisman Trophy candidates, has put together successive 1,000-yard seasons and enters 2010 needing just 481 yards to eclipse Curt Warner's school career record of 3,398.
Green, a 5-10, 195-pounder with junior eligibility has put up 897 yards in two seasons as Royster's primary backup.
Together, they provide the Nittany Lions with one of the finest tailback combinations in the Big Ten, and most likely, the nation.
So, with a green quarterback, no matter which one wins the job opponents will scheme defensively to stop the ground game first. That could mean the Lions' offense having to deal with defenses putting, eight, nine, even 10 players in 'the box.'
Royster thinks that would be a mistake.
"I don't think they're going to be able to do that," Royster said during the team's annual media day earlier this month. "If they put that many people in the box, we'll line up and throw the ball."
And that gets back to the quarterback situation.
McGloin, a West Scranton graduate, and Newsome, from Virginia, are the most viable candidates.
And from the beginning of August workouts, head coach Joe Paterno has said the competition is wide open.
"We've put more time in trying to find out what these kids can do," Paterno said. "We're trying to get the best combination of people out there to react to each other.
"At quarterback, there really isn't anybody with any experience. I really don't know who is going to be our quarterback."
Both confident
While neither quarterback is long on experience - McGloin took snaps in three games, attempting two passes, and Newsome completed eight of 11 attempts last year - neither is short on confidence that they can do the job.
"The quarterback has to be a leader, he has to have respect, and think that's one of the things I've worked for," McGloin said. "I'm a leader."
As for the competition, McGloin says he's enjoying it, even if he's never really had to compete for playing time before.
"In high school, from the time I was a freshman, I was the best quarterback on the team," he said. "But you have to enjoy it.
"It's an experience that brings out the best in you. I have a lot of confidence in myself."
Newsome, like McGloin, has sophomore eligibility. He, too, is enjoying the competition.
"With every practice, with every snap I take, I want to get better," Newsome said. "We all want to get better.
"I'm doing everything I can do to put this team in the best position. At the end of the day, Coach Joe is going to make the decision."
Solid receivers
No matter which quarterback is making the throws, the receiving corps will be solid.
Even with sophomore Curtis Drake expected to be out until around midseason with a leg injury, the group of receivers is solid enough that the staff hasn't considered moving former wideout Chaz Powell back to offense from his new position at cornerback.
Leaders among the receivers should be seniors Graham Zug and Brett Brackett, and junior Derek Moye.
Moye caught 48 passes, including six for scores, and Zug caught 46, including seven for scores, last season.
The opponents
The three highest-profile games on the schedule this season are all on the road: Alabama on Sept. 11, Iowa on Oct. 2 and Ohio State on Nov. 13.
The best of a lackluster bunch of home games appears to be either Michigan on Oct. 30 or Northwestern on Nov. 6.
The combined 2009 records of Penn State's 2010 opponents was 88-63, with defending national champion Alabama leading the way at 14-0, and Illinois bringing up the rear at 3-9.
To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.
Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.
Copyright ©2012 The News Item | 707 N. Rock St. | Shamokin, PA 17872 | (570) 644-6397
Privacy Policy | Opinion Posting Policy | About our ads | Questions or comments? Contact Us
