Michael Robinson was a quarterback, running back, and unquestioned leader all rolled into one. So when the comparison is made to the man who guided the 2005 Nittany Lions to an 11-1 record and an Orange Bowl victory, it may seem hyperbolic.

But after Darryl Clark put on a Robinson-like display, guiding No. 17 Penn State to a 45-14 cakewalk over Oregon State on Saturday, it was hard not to see the similarities.

"I do a little bit," senior wide receiver Jordan Norwood said. "He's definitely starting to show that. He made some people miss today."

Norwood, who had career highs in catches (eight) and yards (116) to go with two touchdowns, was talking about Clark's elusive running. Like Robinson, though, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Clark (five carries for 61 yards and a touchdown) can run over a few would-be tacklers, as he did on an 18-yard score in the third quarter.

If anything, Clark, listed at 15 pounds heavier than Robinson's playing weight, is more of a fullback than tailback. But where the two resemble each other the most is in their passing skills. Clark is probably more accurate, but both had the uncanny knack for taking chances that never ended up feeling like risks.

And receivers love that.

"That's a wide receiver's nature, to hope that the quarterback thinks that you're open, even if you looked covered," Norwood said.

It's a marked difference to the previous two years under Anthony Morelli's stewardship. He often played too timidly and was overly sensitive to making errors. His instinct was often to take the safe route.

Clark, who threw for 215 yards and a touchdown as he completed 14 of 23 passes, said those types of throws often come down to trust. "It might not happen the way it's drawn up," he said. "Just throw it to him and let him go up and get it."

Despite Clark's performance in his first two games as a starter, there is a long way to go to reach Robinson-like heights. Clark's legacy, like Robinson's, won't be written based on blowout wins, but rather on the ability to perform under duress.

"I don't think you can say he's up to Mike's status right now," offensive coordinator Galen Hall said.

Clark spoke to Robinson the day before the game, and the two have maintained a relationship, even though Clark was just a freshman non-qualifier toiling at prep school in 2005. Still, on Saturday, Clark humbly felt as if he had scaled the bar set by Robinson.

"Mike did it all," Clark said. "He was a natural leader. He just really got the job done in tight situations, and I felt like I did a little bit of that today."

Hayes out for year. Defensive end Jerome Hayes is out for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The injury occurred while Hayes, who had made his first career start, was covering a punt.