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Iowa game snub led to Devlin transfer

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As abrupt as his departure from Penn State may have seemed, the impetus, according to a source close to Pat Devlin, was the aftermath of the Ohio State game and specifically what occurred during the Iowa game two weeks later. When Clark suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter against Ohio State, Devlin took over and led the trailing Lions to the winning touchdown when he plunged 1 yard into the end zone. Before leaving the game, Clark had struggled a bit, and Devlin felt as if his performance had cracked open the quarterback competition, the source said. The Lions were idle the next week and Clark was cleared to play against the Hawkeyes on Nov. 8. Fearing the mobile junior could suffer another head injury, however, Penn State included the "Wildcat" formation in its game plan to alleviate some of the pressure on the QB. In the formation, wide receiver Derrick Williams received direct snaps from center, but Clark had his worst game as Penn State suffered its first loss, 24-23, ending its national-title hopes. A source close to Devlin said he could not understand why he wasn't inserted as Clark and the offense sputtered in the second half. "Prior to that Iowa game, Pat was on cloud nine," said Mike Matta, Devlin's coach at Downingtown East. "It was easy to see that what happened really bummed him out." When he lost the starter's job to Clark in August, Devlin admitted to thoughts of transferring. But after the Iowa game, his uncertainty snowballed. With Clark planning on returning next season, Devlin was looking at just one season as the starter. The Devlins, concerned about how this would affect Pat Devlin's NFL stock, broached the subject during their meeting with Paterno, a team source said. "It was all about the pros with them," the source said.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Joe Paterno, AP Joe Paterno, AP
December 12, 2008  08:52 AM ET

This creates a golden opportunity for a top highschool QB recruit.

December 12, 2008  08:52 AM ET

Now if only JayPa would transfer.

December 12, 2008  08:54 AM ET

It's for the best, when USC gets done with Joe Pathetics team no one will want to be associated with them anyway.

December 12, 2008  08:58 AM ET

I wish Devlin well. It's just a matter of time before we know where he turns up at next.

December 12, 2008  09:28 AM ET

We need Newsome or Boyd or we're screwed in 2010. This puts more pressure on the O-line to protect Clark in the Rose Bowl and in 2009, since we now don't have a respectable backup. I think this eliminates any designed QB runs in the Rose Bowl.

December 12, 2008  09:29 AM ET

"It's for the best, when USC gets done with Joe Pathetics team no one will want to be associated with them anyway. "

You're right. 40 wins, 2 conference championships, 3 bowl victories and a combined 4-0 record against the SEC, Big 12, PAC 10, and ACC over the past 4 years is pathetic.

December 12, 2008  11:10 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

We need Newsome or Boyd or we're screwed in 2010. This puts more pressure on the O-line to protect Clark in the Rose Bowl and in 2009, since we now don't have a respectable backup. I think this eliminates any designed QB runs in the Rose Bowl.

I think Ray Malaluga and Taylor Mays eliminate the designed QB runs too. I like PSU, but they are gonna get rolled in this one. USC's Defense is too savage

December 12, 2008  11:19 AM ET

If PSU can play field postion through special teams and create some turnovers, they have a good shot of pulling off the upset. If they're constantly having to go 80 yards to score, then they're in trouble. I think PSU's defense will hold them in the game, but they have to make plays on offense and special teams to win this one.

December 12, 2008  12:04 PM ET

This doesn't bode well for the Nit's...this changes Penn State's offensive approach completely. Without Devlin's presence you won't see Clark running to much if at all. If we have to rely on his arm...er, uh, you get the point...after all, the reason Clark got the nod over Devlin is because "he's a better runner"...I sense a very cautious conservative game plan and that's not good...I could be wrong but I doubt it.

December 12, 2008  12:40 PM ET
QUOTE(#9):

This doesn't bode well for the Nit's...this changes Penn State's offensive approach completely. Without Devlin's presence you won't see Clark running to much if at all. If we have to rely on his arm...er, uh, you get the point...after all, the reason Clark got the nod over Devlin is because "he's a better runner"...I sense a very cautious conservative game plan and that's not good...I could be wrong but I doubt it.

I see the exact opposite, the Pa's know that they are underdogs and will probably pull out all the stops. PSU is not going to beat USC with a conservative game plan...just wont happen. They need to play like Mich in the capital one bowl last year.

December 12, 2008  01:14 PM ET

The only problem is that Clark sucks as a passer.

December 12, 2008  01:28 PM ET

Penn State will beat USC w/O devlin. He's not good enough for the Pros anyhow. Good Luck...just go AwaY...oh and take your ball too! Remember they killed Oregon St. and who beat USC........PSU is a Top 5 team...too bad you other guys teams don't have a coach with morals like paterno...its about LIFE not football.

December 12, 2008  01:30 PM ET

Penn State won't need devlin to beat USC....they play in a weak conference and they won't be able to run against PSU. Oh and REMEMBER how Penn State Bludgeoned Oregon St? HhMmmmmm .... who beat USC? devlin can go away and take his ball with him...he is not a pro caliber QB to begin with. Another Rose Bowl Home Game for USC and we'll still kick their butts like we did Tecxas A&M last year in texas and the year before Florida St in Orange Bowl....they are lucky the Rose Bowl isn't in Beaver Stadium!

December 12, 2008  01:35 PM ET
QUOTE(#13):

Penn State won't need devlin to beat USC....they play in a weak conference and they won't be able to run against PSU. Oh and REMEMBER how Penn State Bludgeoned Oregon St? HhMmmmmm .... who beat USC? devlin can go away and take his ball with him...he is not a pro caliber QB to begin with. Another Rose Bowl Home Game for USC and we'll still kick their butts like we did Tecxas A&M last year in texas and the year before Florida St in Orange Bowl....they are lucky the Rose Bowl isn't in Beaver Stadium!

Oh man, this is the first Nitney I've heard that thinks they will kick USC's butt. If you really believe that, you should bet on it because Vegas is giving you beautiful odds right now.

December 12, 2008  01:45 PM ET

USC is over rated...who'd they beat besides Ohio St? UCLA, Stanford, Washington? 1 thing we DO know for sure is PSU Killed Oregon St. and USC did not. The lions play well as underdogs....place yer bets...the books are awaitin.

December 12, 2008  01:54 PM ET

Yes, it was obvious that Devlin should have been in for the game at Iowa. Clark was still injured and his performance proved it. Joe really dropped the ball on that one and it cost his team and its fans a shot at the national championship, though there is no reason why the Rose Bowl winner should not get a share of it, both USC and Penn State are 10 points better than Florida. As for the QB position, there is no way Devlin would be able to supplant Clark anyway. He is a top ten QB and the best in the Big Ten without a doubt. I was surprised when he stayed after losing the competition to Clark because the post-Morelli era is the reason he chose Penn State after Coker was fired at Miami. Good riddance to bad rubbish. The Lions have Newsome just about locked up and a win the Rose Bowl and a rightful claim to a share of the championship with lock him and another great recruiting class up.

December 12, 2008  02:02 PM ET
QUOTE(#10):

I see the exact opposite, the Pa's know that they are underdogs and will probably pull out all the stops. PSU is not going to beat USC with a conservative game plan...just wont happen. They need to play like Mich in the capital one bowl last year.

Hopefully so...

December 12, 2008  02:40 PM ET

PSU's defense is above average. USC's 3rd string defense is above average. PSU has some good offensive players. USC has good offensive players..sitting on the bench behind the
great offensive players.

December 12, 2008  02:47 PM ET

Penn State has the best defense in the country train and a better offense than USC. How good is the Penn State offense, only three Trojans could start on that side of the ball. Defensively, only four Trojans could start.

 
December 12, 2008  02:57 PM ET

Wow, what a shock, another hot shot QB bombs out at the QB graveyard otherwise known as Penn State.

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