Oct. 25, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State's Daryll Clark (Youngstown, Ohio) has become the first player this season to earn Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors more than once.
The senior quarterback directed the Nittany Lions to a 35-10 thumping of Michigan in Ann Arbor, helping the Nittany Lions improve to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten. Penn State won its second straight over the Wolverines in convincing fashion.
The conference honor is the fourth career honor for Clark, who has an 18-3 record as the Nittany Lions' starter. He also was honored by the Big Ten after throwing for a career-high 353 yards and three touchdowns in Penn State's 31-7 win over Akron on Sept. 5.
Clark was 16 of 27 for 230 yards, with a career-high tying four touchdown passes and no interceptions in the win over Michigan. He threw touchdown passes of 10, 11 and 17 yards to wideout Graham Zug and a beautiful 60-yard scoring strike to tight end Andrew Quarless.
One of the 10 finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Clark also threw four touchdown passes vs. Michigan State last year and has thrown eight touchdown passes with only one interception in the last four games, all Penn State wins.
Clark led Penn State to 396 yards, 34:38 in time of possession and its most points at Michigan Stadium. He became the Nittany Lions' career leader with 55 touchdowns responsible for (36 passing, 19 rushing), surpassing the previous mark of 52 by Zack Mills.
After Michigan scored on the opening possession of the game, Clark and the offense immediately responded, scoring in four plays to tie the game at 7-7 on a 10-yard pass from Clark to Zug. Clark directed Penn State to a 35-3 advantage after the Wolverines' first drive.
The former Ursuline High School standout posted his 11th career game with at least 200 passing yards, tying him for third all-time at Penn State with Chuck Fusina, Tony Sacca and Anthony Morelli. The Nittany Lions are 10-1 when Clark passes for at least 200 yards.
In the win over Michigan, Clark moved into fifth place in Penn State career total offense with 5,163 yards, moving past Anthony Morelli (5,154) and Chuck Fusina (5,162). Michael Robinson is fourth at 5,168.
Clark is 144 of 232 (62.1) for 1,884 yards, with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season, with just one interception in the last four games. He also has run for 132 yards (3.1 avg.) and has four rushing touchdowns.
The 2008 first team All-Big Ten signal-caller, Clark is tied for third in the nation with 17 touchdown passes. Boise State's Kellen Moore (21) and Houston's Case Keenum (20) are the only players with more touchdown passes nationally. Clark has thrown three or more touchdown passes three times this season.
Penn State is ranked No. 10 in the USA Today Coaches and Harris Interactive polls and No. 12 in the Bowl Championship Series and Associated Press rankings. The Nittany Lions visit Northwestern (5-3, 2-2) on Saturday. The game will kick at 3:30 p.m. CT/4:30 p.m. ET and air on ESPN, the Penn State Sports Nework and www.GoPSUsports.com.