Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1400830
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 2 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M James Franklin had no problem acknowledg- ing the obvious. Asked at Penn State's football media day about the lack of significant game reps for the team's backup quarterbacks, Franklin offered no retort. With Will Levis having transferred to Kentucky in the offseason, the quarter- back room consists of fifth-year senior and third-year starter Sean Clifford, plus redshirt sophomore Ta'Quan Roberson, early enrollee true freshman Christian Veilleux and redshirt freshman walk-on Mason Stahl. Of the three backups, only Roberson has ever stepped onto the field in an actual game, doing so twice in his two years in the program for a combined total of one pass attempt and one run. "They've had game-speed reps in practice since they've been here and they'll continue to do that," Franklin said. "Obviously, as guys con- tinue to move up the depth chart like Ta'Quan has, it creates more of those opportunities. These guys have had full-speed reps since they've gotten to Penn State." But they haven't gotten much experience against other teams, and as Franklin conceded, that's "not going to change until they get into games." A former four-star prospect out of DePaul Catholic in New Jersey, Rob- erson has been the No. 2 quarterback for the Nittany Lions since the ar- rival of new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich in the offseason. Through extensive practice reps, film study and classroom work, Roberson said he feels prepared to play should the opportunity arise. "I'm very confident," he said. "I'm confident because we had this offense in the spring, we learned it in the spring, and we had all summer to work everything out and build chemistry with the receivers and the O-line. "This offseason has been really exciting. We have a new offense, new of- fensive coordinators, and just learning the offense has been really fun. So, we're just preparing, coming in and building, watching tape, studying previous teams that ran this offense." After missing out on spring practice the pre- vious year, Roberson said he was thankful for the opportunity to have a real set of off-season drills and work through some of the growing pains associated with the installation of a new offensive scheme. The question now is whether he's made the kind of strides that will enable him to step into action if necessary. Clifford didn't miss any playing time due to injury last year, but there's always the possibility that the backup will need to be called upon. Yurcich said he believes Penn State's backups have displayed the potential to be effective quarterbacks but need to do more than just flash. "They both have the talent necessary," Yur- cich said. "Right now, the play, typical of young quarterbacks, is just inconsistent but is trend- ing in the right direction. There's improvement there. "Growth-wise, we saw a big increase from practice one through practice 15 in the spring game, so we need to continue to see that. But the maturity is there in both the young men. Understanding what it takes to be great, whether it be extra meeting time, extra film time, asking the right questions, not being afraid to take a risk in the meeting room — I think they're learning that and they're getting better at it, and I think those are the things it takes to be great." Roberson said he and his fellow QBs are prepared for whatever comes next. "Coach Franklin always says to prepare like you're the starter," he said, "so that's what we've been doing." — Nate Bauer Ta'Quan Roberson Exudes Confidence As Clifford's Backup Roberson has played in two games at Penn State, appearing in the fourth quarter of wins over Rutgers and Illinois. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL college football and arguably the best quarterback in the Big Ten or part of that conversation at least. He's still that guy. I'm a huge believer in Sean. "Last year was extremely painful for him, but I think there's growth that is going to come from that, especially when it comes to some of the tough- ness aspects. There's emotional tough- ness that comes from going through a year like that, mental toughness that comes from going through a year like that, especially when you had so many people patting you on the back the year before." Surrounded by a community of team- mates and coaches who are determined to lift him up ahead of the 2021 season, Clifford sees the situation much the same way. Following the offseason transfer of backup Will Levis, the starting spot and leadership role are assuredly Clif- ford's with the first game at Wisconsin on Sept. 4 quickly approaching. He's been narrowing his focus as he looks to make the kind of gradual, incremental improvements that lead to success, and in the process he's shed the distractions and baggage of the past. "It definitely toughened me up. It definitely thickened my skin, where now I realize that wherever we are this season — and I'm very confident that we're going to be at the top again — that won't matter to me this year," Clifford said. "I'll be on the same mission, day in and day out until the year is over, and then I can finally reflect back on every- thing that happened. "So, if we're number one in the coun- try this year, it won't be any different than if we were last in the country, be- cause the approach doesn't change. It doesn't matter what happened the week before. I still need to perform this week in order to get the job done." He's been afforded every opportunity and resource at the program's disposal this offseason. Now it's a job to be filled by Clifford alone. ■