QB Clark may have more options for No. 9 Penn St.

[September 03, 2009]  STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- A tight end flexed out of the backfield. Two dangerous running backs in the game at the same time. Three taller starters at receiver instead of short speedsters.

It may add up to some different wrinkles for No. 9 Penn State's offense this year.

It's partly out of necessity. The standout receiver trio of Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood and Derrick Williams -- who combined for 1,900 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2008 alone -- is gone to the NFL.

So the offense must evolve, quarterback Daryll Clark says. As Clark breaks in a new receiving corps, veteran holdovers at running back and tight end may play expanded roles in the passing game when the Nittany Lions open the season Saturday at home against Akron.

"Yeah, different faces, but they have the same intent to win football games," the star captain said Wednesday.

Clark shined last season in his first year calling the shots, running for 10 scores while throwing for 2,592 yards and 19 touchdowns. Nearly 60 percent of the 224 passes completed by Penn State quarterbacks went to Butler, Norwood and Williams, the 6-foot-and-under trio known as the "Smurfs."

They would look up to their replacements.

The depth chart lists 6-foot-6 Brett Brackett, 6-foot-5 Derek Moye and 6-foot-2 Graham Zug as the new starters. Brackett has the size to be a sideline possession receiver; Moye won the state 200- and 400-meter dash finals in high school; and Zug has shown flashes of being a good route runner with good hands, a la Norwood.

Six-foot-1 Chaz Powell has also been mentioned as someone who could take Williams' all-purpose role. Williams at times lined up in the backfield.

"I think the potential there is good and we'll see. Having big kids is a plus," coach Joe Paterno said.

Each guy saw playing time last year, especially Brackett (four starts) and Zug (three).

Still, all offseason they have heard pundits talk about Penn State's question marks at wideout.

"There's a little bit of pressure. Those guys created a great legacy," Zug said about the departed stars. "We're kind of using that pressure as fuel for us."

There appear to be a lot more options all over the field, though.

Paterno and players talk up tailback Evan Royster's ability to catch the ball -- he's the leading returning receiver with 17 receptions. Clark marveled about Royster's ability to flank out and run slants, fades and curls.

The No. 1 tailback has already proven he can run over opposing defenses, too, having rushed for 1,236 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.

"He's done it all," Clark said. "I say it all the time. Royster is a complete player."

So defensive coordinators probably got headaches after Paterno hinted last month at using Royster and his backup, Stephfon Green, in the same lineup. The lightning-quick Green proved to be a threat on screens, and averaged 17.9 yards per his 15 catches.

Paterno also has quality depth behind them in the backfield in Brandon Beachum and Brent Carter.

Could that lead to more different looks with tailbacks?

"I don't want to tell you everything," Paterno said at his news conference. "We have a lot of different combinations we can work with because we do have some kids."

Then there's tight end, where Penn State lists both Mickey Shuler (6-4) and Andrew Quarless (6-5) atop the depth chart. Both are seniors with extensive experience, though the agile Quarless might be the tougher matchup in the passing game.

Quarless caught 21 passes and two touchdowns in a promising freshman campaign, though he has only had 25 receptions and three scores combined over the past two seasons, in part because of off-field issues.

He has promised to remain in Paterno's good graces. He knows the opportunity is there this season to make an impact.

The tight end role, he said, has expanded a little bit more this preseason, with a lot of movement, and more flexing out of the backfield.

To Clark, fans won't notice a difference with the results.

"The only thing that changes is the new faces," he said. "The name of the game is moving the chains."

[Associated Press; By GENARO C. ARMAS]

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