Clark named Penn State captain

Vindicator staff/wire reports

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Quarterback Daryll Clark was plenty impressive on the field last year for Penn State. Turns out, he was pretty impressive off the field, too.

Clark, an Ursuline High graduate, was elected one of two captains of the Penn State football team, joining linebacker Sean Lee.

Lee and Clark were selected by their teammates after spring practice. Their election was expected, and the team made it official with a statement Tuesday.

Clark excelled in 2008 in his first year as the starting quarterback, sparking the spread HD offense and bolstering Penn State’s run to the Rose Bowl.

“I’m honored to be elected a captain,” said Clark, who was selected first team All-Big Ten in 2008. “I feel like everyone looks to me, but I wanted my teammates to vote for me because they see that I’m working hard and trying to get everyone on the same page of what we have to do to in our plan to win football games.”

In his first year as the starting signal-caller, the talented and dynamic Clark quickly demonstrated consistently strong play, leadership and toughness. He led the Nittany Lions to the 2008 Big Ten title and national championship contention with an 11-2 record. Clark was the runner-up in voting for the 2008 Silver Football, presented by the Chicago Tribune to the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player.

He also was among the semifinalists for the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards.