Paul Jones apparently never got the memo. You know, the one stating the battle to be Penn State’s starting quarterback was a two-man affair between Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin.
Jones did all he could in the Blue-White Game on Saturday to become the odd-man in. The freshman quarterback from McKeesport played with a poise and consistency that the Penn State coaches were looking from Jones’ teammates Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin.
With 1:14 left in the second quarter, Jones lofted a pass to redshirt freshman wide receiver Shawney Kersey in the left corner of the north end zone for an 18-yard touchdown.
Half a game later, with 1:14 left in the glorified scrimmage, Jones found Kersey in nearly the same location. The result was the same – an 18-yard touchdown.
‘Good for him. Good for him,’ coach Joe Paterno said of Jones’ first TD pass. Paterno saw the score from the press box, where he was on television with ESPN2 broadcaster Brent Musburger and crew.
The throws were the only touchdowns of the game, as the Blue squad beat the White 17-3. Collin Wagner added a 46-yard field goal and two extra points and David Soldner made a 38-yard field to complete the scoring. An estimated 55,000 fans attended the game, which was broadcast by ESPN2 for two hours.
Jones is not only the newest quarterback in the QB derby, he’s one of the newest Lions period. He enrolled in Penn State in January and entered the Blue-White Game with only 14 college football practices under his belt. He certainly earned a notch on it on Saturday. He completed 5 of 8 for 67 yards passing, with one sack and no interceptions, while looking relaxed and fluid.
‘Last year Kevin and Matt played really loose like Paul did today,’ said quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno. ‘They were in a different situation this year.’
Exactly – both are now seeking to follow Daryll Clark and his 22-2 record as the Nittany Lions’ starting quarterback. They both played to mixed results, at best.
Newsome completed 5 of 12 passes for 50 yards, and was sacked three times. The sophomore didn’t throw an interception, but he didn’t make a run of any significance either.
McGloin was better and worse. The redshirt sophomore, a former walk-on, completed 10 of 23 passes for 110 yards. He also threw a pair of interceptions and took a sack.
Combined, the Penn State quarterbacks completed 24 of 50 passes for 266 yards, with three interceptions, five sacks and Jones’ two TD passes.
‘I’m encouraged with where we are at,’ said the younger Paterno. ‘We’re further along than people realize.’
The Penn State defenses were led by linebackers Nate Stupar and Michael Yancich, who both had seven tackles. Stupar also had an interception and a tackle for a loss, while Yancich added a half-sack.
They are part of a deep group of linebackers that is poised to replace the trio of Sean Lee, Navarro Bowman and Josh Hull. (Bowman was selected by San Francisco and Lee by Dallas in the NFL Draft.)
‘We have a lot of young guys and I bet a lot of people were wondering if we were going to be able to mesh and connect with each other,’ Stupar said. ‘I thought this spring we really came together just knowing what people are going to do and what their skill levels are. …it’s exciting to see what we’re going to bring this season.
Senior linebacker Bani Gbadyu was given the Jim O’Hora Award as most improvement by a defensive player.
‘Bani is one of those guys we are counting on for some leadership,’ defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. ‘He’s been in games. He’s improved this spring. I think he is taking charge of those linebackers.
Junior linebacker Chris Colasanti and junior tight end Andrew Szczerba were recognized as co-recipients of the Frank Patrick Total Commitment Memorial Award. Junior tackle Quinn Barham and senior wide receiver Brett Brackett were co-recipients of the Red Worrell Award for most improvement by an offensive player.
On defense, sophomore James Terry had five solo tackles, while Jamie Van Fleet had four tackles and an interception and Cody Castor also had a pick.
The Lions’ top receivers were sophomore Justin Brown, with four catches for 35 yards; redshirt freshman Brandon Mosey-Fedler (3-31); and Kersey, with his two grabs for scores.
Redshirt sophomore Hykeem Brodie led all rushers with seven carriers for 34 yards. Brodie transferred to Penn State from Old Dominion and played with Newsome at Western Branch High School in the Tidewater region. Redshirt freshman Curtis Dukes ran impressively, rushing nine times for 31 yards. True freshman Silas Redd rushed four times for 16 yards.
Junior Stephfon Green gained 10 yards on four attempts, while the team’s No. 1 rusher, Evan Royster, did not play.
