Published: September 07, 2008 12:03 am            

Clark, Royster lead Nittany Lions’ rout of Beavers

STATE COLLEGE — Daryll Clark smiled and waved at fans while talking to reporters as he walked off the field following Saturday’s 45-14 victory over Oregon State, handling the attention of being Penn State’s starting quarterback with as much ease as he had handling the Beavers defense.

In his second career start, Clark aced his first test against a major conference opponent, passing for 215 yards and two touchdowns and adding 64 yards on the ground with a score.

Most impressive, however, was the confidence with which Clark played, as the redshirt-junior converted on 8-of-9 third downs to help the Nittany Lions jump out to a 28-0 lead with 11 minutes left in the second quarter.

“I’m very pleased and very happy that he’s been carrying himself that way in tough situations, third and long,” wide receiver Jordan Norwood said. “He’s done great. He’s obviously been throwing the ball great, but I knew he would do that. At first I wanted to see how he would react, mentally and things like that, and he’s done tremendous and exceeded my expectations.”

Norwood and Clark appear to be developing a rapport, as Norwood led the Lions in receiving for the second straight week, racking up a career-high 116 receiving yards, including an acrobatic 22-yard touchdown catch that put the Lions ahead 35-7 just before halftime.

Norwood wasn’t the only member of the offense to have a career day. Running back Evan Royster put up a career-high 144 yards rushing with three touchdowns.

It was the second straight three-touchdown game for Royster, making him the first player in the Joe Paterno era to score six rushing touchdowns in the first two games.

“It’s a good feeling,” Royster said. “Hopefully it keeps going on throughout the season. It’s all the offensive line and the downfield blocking we get from the receivers and (fullback) Dan (Lawlor). I really can’t take any credit for it; hopefully it’s a big achievement for them.”

While much of the focus was on the offense, the defense showed improvement from last week, intercepting Oregon State quarterback Lyle Moevao twice and holding playmakers Sammie Stroughter and James Rodgers largely in check.

“This team really was a pass-type of offense and a lot of pressure was on us out on the perimeter,” cornerback Lydell Sargeant said. “So we went into this game knowing there was going to be a lot of pressure on us and we stepped up and played good.”

The defensive line also turned in a solid performance despite playing without suspended starters Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma, sacking Moevao twice and holding the Beavers to 116 yards rushing.

Perhaps the only negative on the day for Penn State was the loss of defensive end Jerome Hayes, who suffered a knee injury while playing on punt coverage in the fourth quarter.

Although he had not yet spoken to the team doctor, coach Joe Paterno fears that Hayes may have injured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, which would likely end his season. Hayes missed the end of last year with an ACL injury in his right knee.

“I haven’t heard from the doctor,” Paterno said. “It was the other knee and it was an ACL.”

Sports Information Director Jeff Nelson said all that is certain at this point is that Hayes has suffered a serious injury to his left knee.

Despite turning in two consecutive dominating performances, Clark said the Lions still have room for improvement heading into next week’s game at Syracuse.

“You’re never at your peak,” Clark said. “I always go by what coach Joe says, ‘You get better, you get worse, you never stay the same.’ Team-wise I think we’re getting better.”

        

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