2010 Penn State Recruiting Class

Penn State Nittany Lions 2010 Head Coach: Joe Paterno

2009 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 10-2
2009 Record: 11-2

9/5 Akron W 31-7
9/12 Syracuse  W 28-7
9/19 Temple W 31-6
9/26 Iowa L 21-10
10/3 at Illinois W 35-17
10/10 E Illinois W 52-3
10/17 Minnesota W 20-0
10/24 at Michigan W 35-10
10/31 at Nwestern W 34-13
11/7 Ohio State L 24-7
11/14 Indiana W 31-10
11/21 at Michigan St W 42-14
11/28 OPEN DATE
CAPITAL ONE BOWL
1/1 LSU W 19-17

2008 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 8-4
2008 Record: 11-2

8/30 Coast. Carolina W 66-10
9/6 Oregon St W 45-14
9/13 at Syracuse W 55-13
9/20 Temple W 45-3
9/27 Illinois W 38-24
10/4 at Purdue W 20-6
10/11 at Wisconsin W 48-7
10/18 Michigan W 46-17
10/25 at Ohio St W 13-6
11/1 OPEN DATE 
11/8 at Iowa L 24-23
11/15 Indiana W 38-7
11/22 Michigan St W 49-18
Rose Bowl
1/1 USC L 38-24

Penn State Nittany Lions

Top Five Prospects
RB	Silas Redd	5-10	200	Stamford, CT
LB	Khairi Fortt	6-2	220	Stamford, CT
QB	Robert Bolden	6-4	195	Orchard Lake, MI
OL	Daquan Jones	6-4	302	Johnson City, NY
LB	Mike Hull	6-1	215	Canonsburg, PA
The Rest of the Class
LB	Brad Bars	6-3	225	Nashville, TN
TE	Kyle Baublitz	6-4	254	York, PA
OL	Miles Dieffenbach	6-5	277	Pittsburgh, PA
OL	Luke Graham	6-5	260	Harrison City, PA
DT	Evan Hailes	6-1	305	Chesapeake, VA
TE	Kevin Haplea	6-4	226	Annandale, NJ
QB	Paul Jones	6-3	226	McKees Rocks , PA
WR	Alex Kenney	6-0	194	State College, PA
OL	Khamrone Kolb	6-6	300	Burke, VA
WR	Levi Norwood	6-2	170	Waco, TX
DE	C.J. Olaniyan	6-5	230	Warren, MI
DB	Shyquawn Pullium	6-1	178	Erie, PA
OL	Thomas Ricketts	6-6	265	Wexford, PA
DE	Dakota Royer	6-3	211	Manheim, PA
RB	Zach Zwinak	6-2	230	Frederick, MD

January 1
CAPITAL ONE BOWL
Penn State 19 … LSU 17
In miserable conditions and a bad field, Penn State got four Collin Wagner field goals with his final one coming from 21 yards away with 57 seconds remaining for a 19-17 lead. LSU had one final chance getting to midfield, but a questionable personal foul call on Lyle Hitt and shaky clock management caused the drive to sputter. Wagner connected on field goals from 26, 18, and 20 yards out and Derek Moye caught 37-yard touchdown pass for a 16-3 Nittany Lion lead, but LSU came back in the second half with Brandon LaFell catching a 24-yard touchdown pass and Steven Ridley running for a one-yard score for the only Tiger lead of the game. But Daryll Clark was able to lead the Nittany Lions 65 yards in 12 plays for the winning score.
Player of the Game: Penn State QB Daryll Clark completed 18-of-35 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown, and he ran 11 times for 20 yards.
LSU: Passing: Jordan Jefferson, 13-24, 202 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Steven Ridley, 12-13, 1 TD, Receiving: Terrence Tolliver, 6-81
Penn State: Passing: Darryl Clark, 18-35, 216 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Evan Royster, 17-65, Receiving: Andrew Quarless, 8-88 
What It All Means: No one can say that Daryll Clark couldn’t win the big game. In his final shot, he proved he could come through in the fourth quarter. It shouldn’t have come down to the dramatics. Penn State didn’t dominate, but it controlled the game for the first three quarters and couldn’t close things out with touchdowns, instead settling for three early field goals to go along with the early touchdown pass. But the defense kept LSU off the field, allowing just nine first downs, and as questionable as the ending was, the D forced a late drive to stall. Penn State’s O line played better than LSU’s, and that, at least early on, was the difference.

Nov. 21
Penn State 42 … at Michigan State 14
Penn State busted open a 7-7 halftime tie with 35 straight points as Daryll Clark threw four touchdown passes including two to Graham Zug and one to Andrew Quarless, who also caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Curtis Drake. Michigan State’s defense couldn’t handle the Penn State passing game, while the offense that got an 11-yard Charlie Gantt touchdown catch in the second quarter didn’t get back on the board until the final minutes on a 71-yard Keshawn Martin touchdown catch.
Player of the Game: Penn State QB Daryll Clark completed 19-of-27 yards for 310 yards and four touchdowns
Michigan State: Passing: Kirk Cousins, 16-28, 155 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Edwin Baker, 9-48, Receiving: B.J. Cunningham, 4-39
Penn State: Passing: Daryll Clark, 19-27, 310 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Evan Royster, 13-114, Receiving: Graham Zug, 4-99, 2 TD 
What It All Means: Penn State will try to make a push and lobby for an at-large BCS bid, but that’s not going to happen … maybe. Iowa has a better case, having beaten the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley, but this is Penn State and Joe Paterno is still running the show. The BCS will want PSU, but it will also want Iowa and its fan base. The team made a statement against Michigan State, highlighted by Darryl Clark’s passing and Navorro Bowman, who made ten tackles, a sack, and three tackles for loss, but the that might mean a New Year’s Day bowl in Florida. That’s not bad.

Nov. 14
at Penn State 31 … Indiana 20
Penn State struggled early on, getting down 10-0 with Damarlo Belcher catching a perfectly thrown 26-yard pass, and then the machine started to work. Evan Royster took a pass 13 yards for a touchdown and Navarro Bowman took an interception 73 yards for a score on a 24-point midgame run. Indiana kept it close and got within 11 on a Tandon Doss catch with just over a minute to play, but that would be it for the drama. Matt Mayberry made 15 tackles for the Hoosiers.
Player of the Game: Penn State LB Navorro Bowman made12 tackles, an interception for a touchdown, a sack, a broken up pass, and two tackles for loss
Indiana: Passing: Ben Chappell, 32-51, 298 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Bryan Payton, 9-30, Receiving: Damarlo Belcher, 9-95, 1 TD
Penn State: Passing: Daryll Carter, 17-28, 198, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Evan Royster, 17-95, 1 TD, Receiving: Evan Royster, 4-39, 1 TD
What It All Means: Penn State might not be playing like a world-beater, and it was certainly sluggish coming off an ugly loss to Ohio State, but Navorro Bowman and the defense put the clamps down in the second half and Daryll Clark overcame the rocky parts to finish strong. There’s still a chance at an at-large BCS bid by beating Michigan State and getting a little bit of luck, but it would help to be impressive in East Lansing. This hasn’t been looking like a top-shelf, BCS team this year, and the record is strong only because of a mediocre schedule. 

Oct. 7
Ohio State 24 … at Penn State 7
Ohio State kickstarted its Rose Bowl hopes with a dominant performance as Terrelle Pryor ran for a seven-yard score and connected with DeVier Posey from 62 yards out and Brandon Saine for a six-yard score. Penn State tied it at seven in the first half on a one-yard Daryll Clark run, but the offense managed just 201 yards of total offense. Sean Lee and Josh Hull combined to make 27 tackles for the Nittany Lions.
Player of the Game: Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward made 11 tackles with two sacks and three tackles for loss
Penn State: Passing: Daryll Clark, 12-28, 125 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Evan Royster, 13-36, Receiving: Graham Zug, 7-96
Ohio State: Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 8-17, 125 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Brandon Saine, 20-68, Receiving: DeVier Posey, 2-77, 1 TD 
What It All Means: Penn State failed its second big test of the year, the first being the loss to Iowa, because the offensive line couldn’t handle Cameron Heyward and the Ohio State defensive front, and Daryll Clark struggled under pressure. He didn’t get any help from a running game that got just 36 yards out of Evan Royster, while the defense didn’t come up with the takeaway needed to turn the game around. As bad as the loss was, the Nittany Lions can rebound against Indiana next and finish up strong against Michigan State to finish 10-2 and in the at-large BCS picture.

Oct. 31
Penn State 34 … at Northwestern 13
Penn State was struggling in a 13-13 tie in the fourth quarter, and then the running game took over as Brandon Beachum ran for a two-yard score and Evan Royster ripped off a 69 yarder, to go along with a 53-yard Derek Moye touchdown catch as part of a 24-point run. Northwestern got two Stefan Demos field goals and a seven-yard Mike Kafka touchdown run in the first half, but Kafka left with a leg injury and the Penn State defense held firm led by 12 tackles from Sean Lee.
Player of the Game: Penn State QB Daryll Clark completed 22-of-31 passes for 274 yards and a score, and he ran for 16 yards and a score.
Northwestern: Passing: Mike Kafka, 14-18, 128 yds
Rushing: Dan Persa, 14-42, Receiving: Zeke Markshausen, 9-60
Penn State: Passing: Daryll Clark, 22-31, 274 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Evan Royster, 15-118, 1 TD, Receiving: Derek Moye, 6-123, 1 TD
What It All Means: It wasn’t the sharpest of performances early on, but Penn State flexed its muscles in the second half and the improving offensive line took over. Daryll Clark isn’t making mistakes and he’s coming up with the plays needed to put games away, but the offense only converted 3-of-10 third down chances and it took too long to get the running game going. Even so, if the Nittany Lions can beat Ohio State, they’ll be almost assured of an 11-1 season with an at-large BCS bid all but certain. 

Oct. 24
Penn State 35 … at Michigan 10
Michigan scored first on a one-yard Brandon minor touchdown run, and then it was all Penn State as Daryll Clark hooked up with Graham Zug on touchdown passes from ten, 11, and 17 yards out, and connected with Andrew Quarless for a 60-yard score on the way to a 32-10 lead before the fourth quarter. Michigan only managed 250 yards and turned it over four times.
Player of the Game: Penn State QB Daryll Clark completed 16-of-27 passes for 230 yards and four touchdowns, and he ran seven times for 13 yards.
Michigan: Passing: Tate Forcier, 13-30, 140 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Brandon Minor, 12-48, 1 TD, Receiving: Greg Mathews, 7-70
Penn State: Passing: Daryll Clark, 16-27, 230 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Evan Royster, 20-100, Receiving: Derek Moye, 6-53
What It All Means: The offense is humming at just the right time. Daryll Clark appears to be getting in sync more and more with his receiving corps by the week, the offensive line is giving Evan Royster more room to move, and the team is looking like the Big Ten favorite it was supposed to be coming into the season. The Nittany Lions were ruthlessly efficient on offense, and nasty on D forcing four turnovers and shutting down the Wolverine offense after the first few minutes. There shouldn’t be a problem at Northwestern before the Ohio State showdown. 

Oct. 17
at Penn State 20 … Minnesota 0
Penn State got a 12-yard touchdown catch from Derek Moye, which was originally ruled out of bounds before the overturned replay, got two Collin Wagner field goals, and a one-yard Daryll Clark run in a dominating win. Minnesota was held to 138 yards of total offense and got stuffed on the one on its best scoring chance. Penn State converted 11-of-17 third down chances and held on to the ball for almost 42 minutes.
Player of the Game: Penn State QB Daryll Clark completed 21-of-32 passes for 287 yards and a touchdown, and he ran for a score.
Minnesota: Passing: Adam Weber, 10-22, 101 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Kevin Whaley, 6-11, Receiving: Nick Tow-Arnett, 3-26
Penn State: Passing: Daryll Clark, 21-32, 287 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Evan Royster, 23-137, Receiving: Derek Moye, 6-120, 1 TD
What It All Means: Nitpicking time. Penn State dominated Minnesota and was never under any threat, but the nine penalties were too many and there were only 20 points in a game when the offense held on to the ball for 42 minutes and cranked out 464 yards. The defense didn’t led the Gophers breathe with the return of LB Sean Lee from a few weeks off adding a spark. Minnesota isn’t a world-beater, but this was a near-perfect win going into the showdown at Michigan. The Big Ten title is still in the picture, and if the team plays like this and the O line really is progressing, there might be another trip to Pasadena.

Oct. 10
at Penn State 52 … Eastern Illinois 3
Daryll Clark threw three touchdown passes, highlighted by a 51-yarder to Chaz Powell, and ran for a one-yard score as Penn State won in a laugher. The defense held EIU to 20 yards of total offense and got a 91-yard fumble return for a touchdown from a stumbling Navorro Bowman with five seconds left in the first half for a 38-0 lead. Stephfon Green tacked on a 26-yard touchdown run in the third.
Player of the Game: Penn State QB Daryll Clark, completed 13-of-19 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. He also ran four times for 11 yards and a score.
Eastern Illinois: Passing: Jake Christensen, 13-25, 137 yds
Rushing: Mon Williams, 14-64, Receiving: Kenny Whittaker, 5-41
Penn State: Passing: Daryll Clark, 13-19, 234 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Evan Royster, 8-94, Receiving: Chaz Powell, 4-79, 1 TD
What It All Means: Penn State can’t say it hasn’t had chances to tune up. After yet another light scrimmage, the offense is never going to be sharper and the team isn’t going to be more ready for a big run in Big Ten play. Daryll Clark was nearly perfect and the ground game was fine, but it’s time to prove it against someone with a pulse. The team’s best win so far was against Syracuse, and it’s time to come up with an impressive win over Minnesota. If that’s a struggle in any way, it’ll be time to worry going into the road trio to Michigan.

Oct. 3
Penn State 35 … at Illinois 17
Penn State rumbled for 338 rushing yards as Stephon Green and Evan Royster each went over 100 yards in the easy win. The Nittany Lions were only up 7-3 at halftime on a 52-yard Stephfon Green scoring dash, but the floodgates opened up with two one-yard Daryll Clark touchdown runs and a 15-yarder from Evan Royster. The Illinois scores came late in the fourth quarter when the outcome had been decided. Juice Williams ran for a three-yard score and threw a 17-yard touchdown pass for the Illini.
Player of the Game: Penn State RBs Stephfon Green and Evan Royster combined for 225 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
Illinois: Passing: Juice Williams, 20-36, 263 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Juice Williams, 20-58, Receiving: Arrelious Benn, 5-96
Penn State: Passing: Daryll Clark, 17-25, 175 yds
Rushing: Stephfon Green, 13-120, 1 TD, Receiving: Andrew Quarless, 5-26 
What It All Means: Penn State finally, finally got the running game going. The offensive line destroyed the Illinois defensive front as the running game actually worked with 338 yards and five scores. Daryll Clark wasn’t able to produce too many plays deep, but he was efficient and effective. After the problems with turnovers against Iowa, giving away just one fumble was a big step forward. The cream-puffs continue with Eastern Illinois up next. LB Sean Lee missed his second straight game with a dinged up knee, and he’ll likely sit against EIU with Minnesota to follow.

Sept. 26
Iowa 21 … at Penn State 10
Iowa’s defense gave up a 79-yard touchdown catch from Chaz Powell in the first two minutes, and then held on the rest of the way allowing just a first quarter field goal and forcing four second half turnovers. The Hawkeye offense only managed 298 yards, but the special teams came through with two Daniel Murray field goals and a 53-yard Adrian Clayborn blocked punt for a touchdowns. The offense converted one of the turnovers to go 24 yards in three plays with Adam Robinson all but putting the game away on a 13-yard scoring run. Navorro Bowman and Josh Hull combined for 26 tackles and five tackles for loss for the Nittany Lions.
Player of the Game: Iowa LB Pat Angerer made 14 tackles with an interception and a forced fumble.
Penn State: Passing: Daryll Clark, 12-32, 198 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Evan Royster, 17-69, Receiving: Chaz Powell, 3-96, 1 TD
Iowa: Passing: Ricky Stanzi, 11-26, 135 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Adam Robinson, 19-88, 1 TD, Receiving: Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, 3-50 
What It All Means: Daryll Clark will bear the brunt of the blame for the loss after having an awful day, but this game is on the offensive line. Clark almost never had time getting hit over and over again. By the end of the game, he had to rush his passes a little bit because of all the pressure. The running game still isn’t working with Evan Royster struggling to find room to move, and when he did finally make something happen, he fumbled after trying too hard. Penn State will still be better than everyone on the schedule until the Ohio State game on November 7th, but the O line has to improve over the next month to have any hope to win in Columbus.

Sept. 19
at Penn State 31 ... Temple 6
Penn State got up 21-3 in the first half helped by two short touchdown passes from Daryll Clark and a seven-yard scoring run from Evan Royster. Temple was never in the game, registering just two field goals, but managed to pull within 18 in the third quarter before the Nittany Lions put the game away. Sean Lee and Josh Hull combined for 25 tackles for Penn State.
Player of the Game: Penn State RB Evan Royster ran 19 times for 134 yards and a score
Penn State: Passing: Daryll Clark, 16-26, 167 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Evan Royster, 19-134, 1 TD, Receiving: Chaz Powll, 4-40
Temple: Passing: Vaughn Charlton, 15-33, 205 yds
Rushing: Kee-ayre Griffin, 11-42, Receiving: Joe Jones, 4-75
What It All Means: The running game was sluggish so far this season, but against Temple, the offense got Evan Royster going and he showed what he could do as the focal point. The offensive line isn't quite as dominant as it should be at this point, struggling a little bit with the Temple defensive line, but it had its best game of the year. One area of nitpicking will be the kickoff coverage that needs to be strong, but if the running game is working and Daryll Clark is spreading the ball around well, like he did hitting eight other players, Penn State will be fine over the next few weeks against Iowa and Illinois.

Sept. 12
at Penn State 28 ... Syracuse 7
Penn State went through the motions on offense on the way to the easy win. Evan Royster took a pass 49 yards for a score and ran for a 12-yarder for a 14-0 first half lead, and then Daryll Clark put it away with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Graham Zug and a one-yarder to Mickey Shuler. Syracuse got on the board late on a 16-yard Donte Davis catch.
Player of the Game: Penn State LB Sean Lee made 13 tackles, a sack, and three tackles for loss
Penn State: Passing: Daryll Clark, 20-31, 240 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Evan Royster, 12-41, 1 TD, Receiving: Graham Zug, 6-79, 1 TD
Syracuse: Passing: Greg Paulus, 14-20, 105 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Delone Carter, 15-40, Receiving: Mike Williams, 5-54
What It All Means: Where was the running game? The game was never in doubt, but it would've been nice if the offensive line had controlled the line and dominated throughout. The Nittany Lions averaged a mere 2.2 yards per carry, but once again, Daryll Clark and the passing game came up with big, deep throws and kept the chains moving connecting on 9-of-14 third down chances. Evan Royster might have scored twice against the Orange, but he has yet to be unleashed. That won't happen against Temple next week, but the ground game will have to be working when Iowa comes to town.

Sept. 5
at Penn State 31 … Akron 7
Penn State had few problems with the Zips getting out to a 31-0 halftime lead before calling off the dogs. Daryll Clark threw for 353 yards and three scores highlighted by a 22-yarder to Derek Moye late in the first half and a 19-yarder to Graham Zug 1:03 later. Akron got on the board on a 40-yard touchdown catch from Deryn Bowser, but the offense only managed eight first downs and 186 yards.
Player of the Game: Penn State QB Daryll Clark completed 29-of-40 passes for 353 yards and three touchdowns with an interception
Penn State: Passing: Daryll Clark, 29-40, 353 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Evan Royster, 14-61, 1 TD, Receiving: Chaz Powell, 7-65, 1 TD
Akron: Passing: Chris Jacquemain, 13-22, 158 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Joe Tuzze, 2-19, Receiving: Jeremy LaFrance, 5-54
What It All Means: Penn State did exactly what it needed to do by coming out and roaring right away with the passing game. Evan Royster and the ground game struggled a bit, but after the loss of all the star targets, that Chaz Powell, Derek Moye, and Graham Zug looked so strong, and Daryll Clark was able to spread it around so well, is a great sign for the opener. The team looked midseason sharp.