STATE COLLEGE — It took the new quarterback a bit of time to settle in and operate like he wanted to, like he knows he can.
Penn State fans waited patiently enough because there was so much else to occupy them.
As expected, Saturday's opening-day party had everything else working at high speed even before the first quarter turned into the second in Beaver Stadium.
The final details of the runaway victory would come soon enough: Penn State 79, Idaho 7.But there were things to watch closely early on. Like this fast, twitchy defense swallowing Idaho alive.
Then, every Nittany Lion who ran the ball created some sort of highlight. Three tailbacks scored touchdowns in the first half, alone. The fourth, Noah Cain, scored barely three minutes into the third quarter.
And special teams was stellar under first-year coordinator Joe Lorig. Remember those kicking blunders throughout last fall? This revamped combination of Jake Pinegar and transfer Jordan Stout was just about perfect.
KJ Hamler was erratically dangerous every time he fielded a punt, swerving, diving, sprinting in each direction.
Actually, Sean Clifford and therefore the passing play was the one slight hitch throughout a primary [*fr1] during which the Lions' place a compulsory 44-0 whipping on ID, a shaky outfit from the Farm Credit System massive Sky Conference.
The redshirt sophomore came into this game not solely with lots of highschool ANd recruiting accolades however additionally uncountable certificatory words from his coaches and teammates — an that spectacular debut in spot duty last season.The Virginia schoolboy star runner took the second handoff of his college career and accelerated smoothly through a lane on the left side of the line. He quickly shifted gears, pulled away from the field and showed a sustained burst to cover all 81 yards untouched.
A nice hustle diversion block by receiver Justin Shorter provided the last bit of the escort into the end zone.
There was still more than four minutes left before halftime but this had the feel of finished business.
This day needed to be a free-flying, feel-good audition for Penn State's vast collection of young talent, speed and athleticism. It had been a long offseason since that desultory bowl game loss, the fourth of the season that began with such big expectations.
So these Lions were itching to play against someone, and it showed as they rushed over the visitors in one overwhelming wave after another.
Just look at the total yards at halftime: Penn State 406, Idaho 47.
The Lions used 10 defensive linemen in the first quarter and collapsed pass protection time and again. It didn't get any better when Idaho switched quarterbacks.
At one point, the Vandals were staring at a third down-and-30 situation at their own goal line.
That's the way it played out almost until the very end, no matter what backups Penn State employed.
While there wouldn't be much to learn about Penn State's overall future from Saturday's result, it certainly was a wonderful opportunity to see what so many of the team's young talents had to offer in front of a big crowd when every whistle counts.
Most everyone accounted for themselves well enough.
Clifford steadied and produced a solid effort, going 14-of-23 throwing for 280 yards and two scores without an interception. He also ran effectively enough.
Shorter, the highly-prized 6-foot-4 freshman, made three first-half catches. Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, an All-America candidate, dominated in the backfield with 2.5 sacks.
Senior cornerback John Reid looked quick and fully recovered from the knee injury in the spring of 2018. He stepped in front of a third-quarter pass and showed off some slick moves to return it inside the 10-yard line.
Most everything went by script on a day when the final score was never supposed to be an issue.
A strong dose of simple, straightforward success. A good enough way, indeed, to get things started.
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