Entering the 2009 college football season Penn State (1-0) was faced with questions about the wide receivers, defensive secondary, and the offensive line. After starting the year off with a 31-7 victory against Akron (0-1) it seems that some of those questions have been answered.

Derek Moye made a statement as he emerged as the number one wide receiver for quarterback Daryll Clark. Moye caught six passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. Included in his six receptions was a 36 yard play on the opening drive of the Nittany Lions’ 2009 season, which ended in a Evan Royster touchdown run. Moye recorded his largest play on a 42 yard reception from Clark in the second quarter. On first and ten from the Penn State 34 yard line Clark completed the drive’s first pass to Moye over the middle as Moye came down with a spectacular catch with a pair of Akron defenders there to attempt to break up the pass.

Daryll Clark had a big game

If there is any reason to draw a concern from the opening game for Penn State, look at the running game. Akron’s defense allowed an average of over 180 yards per game on the ground last season so basic logic would have thought that Penn State would be able to chew up a large chunk of yards with tailbacks like Evan Royster and Stephfon Green. Instead Penn State racked up 136 rushing yards, 37 of which came on an exhilarating fake punt run up the middle by Andrew Dailey.

Royster finished the day with 63 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown. Green had seven carries for ten yards.

Perhaps the running game was hindered by the young offensive line?

Penn State put together some gaudy passing numbers so the pass protection seems to be OK, but now the offensive line may need to work on their run blocking. Penn State did average 4.5 yards per carry, but as mentioned above, the numbers were skewed due to a surprise fake punt.

On defense the story of the day was Sean Lee, who had been waiting for a return to the playing field for over a year. In his return to action Lee was everywhere and tackled anybody that came near him. Lee was supported by Josh Hull and Nate Stupar, who both made some fine plays of their own. Missing from the defense was Navorro Bowman, who suffered a groin injury in warm ups.

It was thought that Akron’s passing game would find some success against Penn State’s secondary, but that never really had a legitimate chance to develop. Overcoming terrible starting field position was enough of a chore, but with the pressure being put on quarterback Chris Jacquemain from the Penn State defensive line, it was tougher to get passes to receivers like Deryn Bowser and Jeremy LaFrance. Akron totaled 158 yards through the air and Jacquemain threw one interception.

Kicker Collin Wagner had a rough debut as the Nittany Lions kicker. Wagner missed a pair of field goals, the first being a 27 yard field goal set to the left of the goal post. Wagner connected on a 29 yard field goal later in the game and missed a try over 40 yards.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Each week I will give my pick for a standout player of the game. To get this feature started I have a hard time going against Penn State’s Daryll Clark. Clark lead an offense that had something to prove through the air and despite some times of sloppy decision making and missed opportunities, he kept his composure and tore apart the Akron secondary. Clark finished with 353 yards passing and spread the ball around nicely. Clark was in for most of the game and Penn State had 12 different receivers.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Penn State handled Akron better than I anticipated form the start. It shows me that they are not going to take any game for granted. After their quick start they had some mishaps, but the important thing is that the defense looked as solid as could be expected and the passing game showed that they may be better than many thought.

Do not get carried away with one win though, but I came away with some good things and some slight concerns.

WHAT’S NEXT?
Penn State stays home and will welcome the Syracuse Orange to town. For Syracuse (0-1) it will be their second game against a Big Ten opponent to start the season, after losing at home against Minnesota in overtime.

Penn State beat Syracuse last year 55-13.