When you look at Penn State quarterbacks in this decade, senior Daryll Clark perhaps is at the top of the list, having led the Nittany Lions to a 19-4 record as a starter.
Unfortunately for Clark, critics tend to focus on the 4 and hardly pay attention to the 19, given that Clark's defeats have come in high-profile games - Iowa and Southern Cal last year, Iowa and Ohio State this season.
The 6-foot-3, 232-pound fifth-year senior had his two worst performances of 2009, both at home, against the Nittany Lions' only ranked opponents. He completed 12 of 32 passes with 3 interceptions against the Hawkeyes, and 12 of 28 with 1 pick against the Buckeyes. The Lions did not score in the second half of either game.
It's probably unfair to load all the blame upon Clark's shoulders. Penn State's offensive line had problems keeping the front fours of both Iowa and Ohio State from hurrying Clark, and the running attack went nowhere. Special teams let the Lions down in both games as well.
But the nature of the quarterback position, especially at a big-time school such as Penn State, puts the bull's-eye on Clark's back. He understands the reasoning even if he doesn't necessarily agree with it.
"I'll say [the criticism] is unfair, but you know what? It's going to be that way for as long as people talk about it," Clark said yesterday. "It is what it is. Unfortunately, we were not able to win, but we have to move on from it."
After arriving at Penn State in 2005 - he redshirted his first season - Clark learned about the highs and lows of being a Penn State quarterback from Michael Robinson and Anthony Morelli, so he was prepared once he took over the controls in the 2008 opener.
"It comes with the territory, and you have to deal with it," Clark said. "I knew I'd face both positives and negatives from people, and I feel like I've dealt with it the right way.
"You don't play the game of football for people that have a certain opinion about you. You play for your school, your teammates, your coaches, your family, and the loyal fans. You've got to be able to take the good with the bad, and I accept that."
Penn State coach Joe Paterno had fumed at critics of Clark's showing against Iowa, complaining of dropped and deflected passes in the rainy conditions that night. As for Ohio State, Paterno reviewed the film and graded Clark's day as "OK," noting the Buckeyes loaded up to stop the pass.
"People are fighting like the dickens to take the pass game away from us and challenging us to run the football," Paterno said. "We haven't done a particularly good job running the football, and I think that's obvious.
"I think Daryll is doing all right. You know, I'm sure we could have done this, could have done that. You can always figure out something else you could have done. But I think he's done fine."
Going into Saturday's home finale against Indiana, Clark has completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 2,283 yards and 18 touchdowns, and has added 6 TDs rushing. He has taken over the school record in touchdowns responsible for (58, 37 pass, 21 rush) and is climbing closer to the mark of 41 scoring passes.
Combine that with his record as a starter, one that could go to 22-4 if the Nittany Lions were to win their final two games plus a bowl, and Clark has enjoyed a commendable career. Sure, the losses have been tough, but considering he had to go to prep school after high school just to get into Penn State, he appreciates how things worked out.
"I'm very, very proud of my accomplishments," he said. "It wasn't always an easy road. I've gone through a couple of bumps in the road, but here I am today. I'm proud of what I've done."
Contact staff writer Joe Juliano at 215-854-4494 or jjuliano@phillynews.com
