“My mother always told me, ‘Those who are patient will benefit in the end.’ The time is now.” – Daryll Clark, July 11, 2008
That’s a quote from the massive feature I wrote on Clark headed into last season. I’m pleased to brag I was on his bandwagon before anyone on the beat was.
Now I want to head up the campaign to get Clark to the Heisman Trophy ceremony this season.
Why you ask?
Well, if you’ve heard me talk about Clark, you know I love the kid. I love what he stands for as a hard worker, I love the fact he’s been able to overcome hardships growing up. I love his charisma and his bravado.
When he’s on the field, you have to feel something good will happen. And if you are a fan of Penn State, you have that feeling that you can’t lose with him, don’t you?
But here’s what else I love about Clark.
In 2006, just before the Outback Bowl, I stood on the beach in Tampa talking to players like Jordan Norwood and Tony Hunt with Matt Herb from Fight On State magazine and he was looking for a story.
I spotted Clark and assured Matt that he was a great quote and would be worth the ink…this after having talked to him a grand total of once, and it was media day that season.
Clark opened up to both of us that day, admittedly Matt stayed longer because, as one of the premiere writers covering Penn State, he digs. And digs, and digs. And digs.
Clark told both of us he was going to be the starting quarterback in 2007. That Anthony Morelli was on notice that he was coming for the job.
He had never taken a snap in a meaningful spot for Penn State’s team to that point.
That’s why Daryll Clark could lead my team any day of the week.
If I had a vote for the Heisman now, I’d go 1) Clausen; 2) McCoy; 3) Ingram; 4) Clark; 5) is a toss up between Tebow, Keenum, Moore. And Tebow is only there because there is no clear cut run away.
Think about those words Clark repeated from his mother. “‘Those who are patient will benefit in the end.’ The time is now.”
Clark’s time is now. It’s Saturday afternoon at 3:30 in a game that will go to about 70-percent of the country. It’s time for Galen Hall and Jay Paterno to let it all hang out with Clark. Give him the plays, cut any remaining puppet strings and let him go.
There is no high risk, high reward with Clark. 99.9% of his tenure as the starter has been all reward. He has more fight than any other quarterback that’s played for PSU outside of Mike Robinson. He is the poster child for what Penn State football is all about. Blue collar. No name on the jersey. Die for the guys you are in the huddle with.
It’s time he got his just do and the way he gets it is with his most memorable performance as a starter. Let him steal the spotlight, let him post video game numbers. Let Daryll be Daryll.
If the coaches are willing to do that, he just may end up sitting along side three or four other players for college football’s highest honor.
He should be there.
BIG TEN PICKS
Last week: 4-2. Did not see Illinois and Minnesota doing what they did.
On The Season: 51-16
THE UNDERCARD
WMU at MICHIGAN STATE, Noon, Big Ten Network
Sparty needs a boost after two brutally tough losses to Iowa and last week to Minnesota. Michigan State needs to win here and at least go 1-1 in the remaining two games to secure a bowl berth, any loss and it’s more or less over.
I think Tim Hiller, WMU quarterback will cause a problem or two. But Sparty is safe.
The Pick: Michigan State 27, WMU 20
ILLINOIS at MINNESOTA, Noon, Big Ten Network
All of a sudden the Illini shows life. It’s still too late though. And how about Minnesota with a banged up Eric Decker, who is out for the year, they get it done. That speaks to resolve.
The Pick: Minnesota 30, Illinois 19
PURDUE at MICHIGAN, Noon, Big Ten Network
I love how scrappy Purdue has been all season. But Michigan right now is ahead of them. I think the Wolverines are already looking ahead to 2010, and I mean that in a very good way.
The Pick: Michigan 28, Purdue 10
WISCONSIN at INDIANA, Noon, Big Ten Network
It has to happen somewhere for Indiana, doesn’t it? Wisconsin presents too physical a challenge for the Hoosiers and if I am Indiana, I need to run the ball more. The pistol is fun to run and watch, but it’s too one dimensional and they are paying for it late in games.
The Pick: Wisconsin 30, Indiana 20
NORTHWESTERN at IOWA, Noon, ESPN
I really want to believe that this is the week where Iowa runs out of nine lives. I really, honestly, truly want to believe that. But the problem is I have to sell myself on that idea and I can’t.
Ricky Stanzi is due for a big day on Saturday. Northwestern’s secondary can be carved up. Plus the onus is on Stanzi since the running game is in shambles.
Iowa doesn’t wow you, they don’t have a flashy offense, they just do all of the small things a team needs to do in order to, well stay perfect in this case. They will play it safe this week, get out of here with a win and prepare for what will be a chance to sew up the Big Ten title and Rose Bowl berth (more on that in a second).
The Pick: Iowa 28, Northwestern 13
THE MAIN EVENT
OHIO STATE at PENN STATE, 3:30, ABC
Well, here we are again. A massive game at the massive of massive college football cathedrals.
It’s going to be a perfect late fall afternoon for hitting. A perfect late fall afternoon for two rivals, the second best in the Big Ten behind Ohio State-Michigan. It’s a homecoming of sorts for one young Buckeyes quarterback and perhaps a showcase for a building legacy for another.
I am going to go ahead and assume this will be the loudest crowd Terrelle Pyror ever faces, even if the Gestapo swooped in and cut off the sales of the “Cryer” t-shirt. Pryor has never faced an animal like this unforgiving, vocally charged home turf in University Park. Not even in Ann Arbor will he ever get this type of treatment. The crowd alone wants to ruin this moment for him.
What makes this so much more intriguing is that this is the season for both teams. This, with all forgiveness to Michael Jackson, is it. A win and one stays alive for the conference crown and the BCS. A loss, hello Orlando and an overrated SEC team.
So what happens?
Well, if it’s half as good as last season’s drama and theatre (yeah I spelled it the British way, so what)…then this will be a classic.
I see punch, counter punch and I see a little more offense than others are predicting. Joe is right whichever team turns it over the least will win.
I see big games from Pyror and Clark, I see an emotionally charged defense on Penn State’s side, and here’s something else I see. Someone is going to have a huge game that you don’t expect. It could be a Stephon Morris pick, an interception return for a TD by AJ Wallace, something like that.
My money is on Jerome Hayes. No one talks about him, but he, like Clark, is the epitome of Penn State football too. Hard work. Determination. Class. Busted body parts, but pushing forward. Hayes will be your game changer.
The Pick: Penn State 24, Ohio State 20
