Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/763662
V S . S O U T H E R N C A L I F O R N I A player. Really talented and can make things happen even when it's not neces- sarily blocked clean. Then when you add what they're doing with McSorley and the receivers, whether it's him running the ball or them pushing it downfield, [defenses are] tested in a big way. Penn State forces you to defend the whole field – not just the run game, not just the passing game." Barkley finished the game with 19 at- tempts for 83 yards and a touchdown. By averaging 4.4 yards per carry, he helped free McSorley and his receivers to put to- gether 384 yards and four touchdowns through the air in the championship- winning effort. In doing so, Barkley achieved a goal he had set for himself before ever stepping foot onto the turf as a Nittany Lion. In October 2013, while on a recruiting visit to Penn State during his junior year at Whitehall (Pa.) High, he watched the team's quadruple-overtime victory against Michigan. Penn State made a big impression on him that night. During the Nittany Lions' comeback, Barkley saw a team that didn't quit, a team that he wanted to play for. He went on to give Penn State a verbal commitment in February 2014, about a month after Franklin took over as head coach. That fall, during his senior year at Whitehall, Barkley watched as the Nit- tany Lions fell just short in a double- overtime loss to nationally ranked Ohio State at Beaver Stadium. After that game, he dreamed of making his own mark in a critical game and felt he could play a role in eventually returning the program to its place among the nation's elite. "I wanted to come to a place where I could make an impact. I wanted to be a reason why, part of a reason why, this place [became] special again," Barkley said. "We've got something special going right now. We know that. We're aware of that. I'm just happy that I'm able to be part of it. I'm so thankful that I'm able to play at this school. Coming to this school was the best decision of my life." ■ 107 Mountain Springs Lane • (814) 364-1000 • www.sevenmountainswinecellars.com Only 20 minutes from State College • 1 Mile off 322 near Potters Mills/ Decker Valley Road Find Seven Mountains Wine at Main Street Market, Reedsville and Castlerigg Wine Shop, Downtown Carlisle. Check the website for our hours and special events! Relaxing at "Mountains on Main" On the porch at the Seven Mountains Lodge, BOALSBURG Farmers Market Every Tuesday! Now At G B s M RG L A BOA et ke ark rs M Ma SBUR mer rm ar Fa y! ay sda es ue y T Tu ry er Eve t w A No G