Evan Royster started hot but fell short of 100 yards.

On Penn State’s first offensive drive of the game Daryll Clark capped off a ten play, 85 yard drive by extending the football over the goal line for a one yard touchdown similar to his pair of touchdowns the previous week. The score gave Penn State all the points they would need to win the game as Eastern Illinois failed to penetrate the end-zone all day. The visiting Panthers were only able to accumulate 207 yards with just 60 coming on the ground. Eastern Illinois also turned the ball over twice, with one resulting in a 91 yard fumble return for a touchdown by Penn State linebacker Navorro Bowman.

Penn State took a 10-0 lead to the second quarter and everything really was put out of reach for the FCS Panthers. Clark threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter totaling 78 yards in all and putting the Nittany Lions up 31-0. Chaz Powell, Derek Moye and Brett Brackett each caught one of Clark’s touchdown passes. Eastern Illinois had a nice drive that threatened to put some points on the scoreboard before halftime, but quarterback Jake Christenson (a transfer from Iowa) scrambled and was stripped of the ball by Penn State defensive lineman Ollie Ogbu. Penn State’s Bowman picked up the ball and dashed down the right sideline for 91 yards to score the late touchdown that would ultimately put Penn State up 38-0 as the teams headed to the locker room for halftime.

The only question remaining as the second half started was how long would Joe Paterno leave his starters in the game?

Many of the younger players saw some playing time in the first half, including freshman wide receivers Curtis Drake and Justin Brown and running back Devon Smith. But Penn State fans were waiting to see freshman quarterback Kevin Newsome see some significant playing time. Newsome officially entered the game with 2:45 left in the third quarter, with Penn State up 45-3. Newsome scored his first touchdown in the fourth quarter, running up the middle of the pile for nine yards. He also showed his rushing abilities by carrying the ball seven times for 48 yards, but two fumbles on one drive show that he has some work to do. Newsome was fortunate that Penn State recovered each of his fumbles, but Newsome, who had misplaced his helmet on the sideline was sure to draw some criticism from the legendary head coach. The freshman quarterback also went 4-for-5 for 34 yards.

This was a good chance for Penn state to rest some players. Linebacker Sean Lee once again did not play and it is still unknown if he will return next week against Minnesota. Many players were rotated in and out, which is part of the reason Penn State did not have a running back go over 100 yards on the ground. After both Evan Royster and Stephfon Green broke the century mark last week at Illinois, both were held to under 100 yards. Ten Penn state players combined for 285 rushing yards.

Penn State also did a decent job of spreading the ball around through the air. Eight different players caught a pass, mostly while Clark was in the game.

Penn State’s Knowledge Timmons limped off the field after the first play of the game. He suffered a sprained knee but said in post game interviews that he would play next week against Minnesota.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Daryl Clark. This was a bit of a surprise for me as I predicted we would see more of a running game against Eastern Illinois. But the Nittany Lions came out and decided they were going to play their game until they put the Panthers in the rear view mirror. Clark had the biggest day on offense, passing for 234 yards and a trio of touchdown passes. Two of the touchdown passes were from outside the red zone, with one coming fro mid-field.

Clark did throw an interception in the game. Now with seven interceptions this season Clark has already surpassed his total of six from last season.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Don’t go out and book your hotel for Pasadena quite yet. Penn State has looked very good two weeks in a row but have done so against inferior opponents. We may get a better feel for this team next week. Still, the running game should have a boost in confidence based on their performances the past two games.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Penn State stays home next week to play Big Ten opponent Minnesota in front of a Homecoming crowd.

Eastern Illinois returns to Ohio Valley Conference play with a home game against Tennessee Tech.