Aug. 3, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State senior Daryll Clark (Youngstown, Ohio) has been named to the Watch List for the 2009 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
The Davey O'Brien Foundation and its National Selection Committee announced Clark was among 33 signal-callers on the 2009 Watch List. Clark was the lone Big Ten quarterback named a semifinalist for the 2008 O'Brien Award.
Penn State boasts two past recipients of the prestigious O'Brien Award - Todd Blackledge (1982) and Kerry Collins (1994). Prior to last year, Michael Robinson was Penn State's most recent semifinalist, in 2005.
A 2009 co-captain, the talented and dynamic Clark demonstrated consistently strong play, leadership and toughness during his initial year as Penn State's starting quarterback. He led the Nittany Lions to the 2008 Big Ten title and national championship contention with an 11-2 record. Clark was the runner-up in voting for the 2008 Silver Football, presented by the Chicago Tribune to the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player. He also was among the semifinalists for the Maxwell and O'Brien awards and should be a strong candidate for both honors and other national awards this season.
Clark completed 192-of-321 attempts for 2,592 yards last year, the third-highest passing yardage season in Penn State history. A poised, accurate and strong-armed passer, he tossed 19 touchdown passes and only six interceptions in his 321 attempts for a superlative 1.86 interception percentage that ranked as the fourth-lowest in school season annals. The former Ursuline High School standout was third on the squad with 282 yards on 79 attempts (3.6) and had 10 rushing touchdowns. Among the numerous school records he broke in 2008 was the season touchdowns responsible for mark, as his 29 scores (19 passing, 10 rushing) eclipsed Michael Robinson's record of 28 in 2005.
Clark graduated last December, earning his telecommunications degree in 3 1/2 years and is working on a second degree.
The 2009 O'Brien Award list highlights 33 quarterbacks who will compete for the award honoring the nation's best quarterback; however, all 120 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) starting quarterbacks are equal candidates at this time. Watch List candidates were selected by a subset of The O'Brien Selection Committee. The list focuses on a select group of quarterbacks who have demonstrated what members of the Selection Committee have recognized as tremendous preseason talent. The award focuses on accomplishments both on and off the field.
The O'Brien will follow performances of all FBS quarterbacks until Semifinalists are selected in late October. Semifinalists will be announced October 26; Finalists November 23; and the Winner December 10. During all rounds of voting, The O'Brien Selection Committee is asked to evaluate each candidate on the criteria of quarterback skills and athletic ability, academics, reputation as a team player, character, leadership and sportsmanship.
The 2009 O'Brien Award Watch List was announced on ESPN's College Football Live. The 2009 O'Brien Winner will be announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show airing on ESPN on December 10. The recipient will be honored February 15, 2010 at the 33rd Annual O'Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
Penn State has earned one of the nation's Top 10 records since the start of the 2005 season, posting a 40-11 (78.4) mark, good for No. 9 nationally. The Nittany Lions won the 2008 Big Ten title, finishing No. 8 in the nation with an 11-2 record.
Entering his 44th season as head coach and 60th on the Penn State coaching staff, Coach Joe Paterno returns 37 letterwinners and 10 starters for the 2009 campaign. The Nittany Lions host Akron on Sept. 5 (12:00 p.m., Big Ten Network) in their season opener.