By BRADY ACKERMAN
Florida Gators Football Sideline Reporter
Penn State opened the 2010 season looking to replace star quarterback Daryll Clark. Clark had finally given the Nittany Lions some consistency at a position that had given them fits for the past decade.
Robert Bolden a freshman became the first in school history to start on the road at Alabama. Bolden would get off to a 3-3 start with only five touchdowns and seven interceptions. Matt McGloin would get the call the second half of the season and led the Nittany Lions to a come from behind win against Northwestern. The Lions' 4-2 finish was directly related to improved offensive play and that progress is one reason why Penn State landed in the Outback Bowl.
The final six games of the season the Penn State offense averaged just over 31 points per game. Prior to that offensive surge, the Lions had averaged just over 18 points per game. The biggest area of improvement in the second half of the season was the red zone offense. The Lions were 21-24 inside the red zone in the last six games, including 18 touchdowns. The offense only generated six touchdowns the first half of the season inside the red zone.
Quarterback Matt McGloin threw 13 touchdowns against only four interceptions after taking over the job. McGloin had eight red zone touchdown passes versus only one red zone interception.
Penn State began the season with a sleeper for the Heisman at running back with senior Evan Royster. He had consecutive 1,000 yard seasons and was one of the top backs in the Big Ten. Early in the season, teams loaded the box to stop Royster while forcing the young freshman quarterback to beat them through the air. However Royster would benefit from the improved offensive production in the second half of the season. He rushed for five of his six total touchdowns in the last six games ,and the rushing attack in general would improve from 126 yards per game to nearly 160 yards per game.
Royster ran for 150 yards on Michigan then followed it up with 134 the next week against Northwestern. He needs 84 yards against the Gators to post his third consecutive 1,000 yard season.
The Penn State offensive line is made up off all upper classman and it showed this season with terrific pass protection. The Nittany Lions led the big ten (tied with Michigan) and finished 12th in the country in sacks allowed. The offensive line gave up just 11 sacks all season and was among the last in the country to give up their first sack, only giving up one the first month.
The ground game was able to average over four yards per carry with everyone keying on Evan Royster. Penn State does have good size on the offensive front as usual with two 300lb guys and a couple more just under 300lbs.
The passing game centered around outstanding receiver junior Derek Moye. Moye led the way with 48 receptions and also hauled in seven touchdowns. He only needs one reception to have 100 for his career, and he finished the season with six touchdowns in his last seven games. His average of 16.8 yds per catch is second in the Big Ten among those who have at least 45 receptions.
Co-captain Brett Bracket, who is a much bigger receiver at 6'6
