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Penn State Football: Tommy Stevens 2017 regular season rewind

By Collin Wieder

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterbacks Tommy Stevens #2 and Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrate after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 23, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterbacks Tommy Stevens #2 and Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrate after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 23, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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Backup QBs don’t get much attention unless your name is Tommy Stevens. The Penn State football signal caller showed why he deserves a spot on offense.

Backup quarterbacks typically don’t have a legacy before they’ve ever started a game. However, Tommy Stevens is special. There’s no doubt the athletic, prototypical QB can play. Penn State football fans figured that out last season, but Stevens put the expectations out of the stratosphere this year. The team used him throughout the season in multiple spots including his main position, quarterback.

Once Trace McSorley laid claim to the quarterback starting job, it became clear that Stevens would have to wait. A recent trend for QBs in that situation is to transfer. Instead of searching for another job elsewhere Tommy Stayed. The multi-purposed sophomore became the ultimate team player, and Joe Moorhead rewarded him.

Despite being a backup, he recorded 63 offensive plays for 409 yards, nine touchdowns and zero turnovers. Stevens put up those numbers at running back, wide receiver and quarterback. He’s got the poise of a veteran and it shows anytime he gets the ball.

Anytime two quarterbacks trot on the field it raises the IQ of the offense. With Stevens, it raises the athletic level as well. In addition to his smarts, he can make any throw on the field proven by his touchdown pass to Saeed Blacknall. He can catch the football and make plays after the catch just like the Nebraska game. His running ability is noted every single game as he averaged seven yards a carry.

Two years into his Penn State career, this backup QB has a legacy and expectations for a phenomenal future. He’s a red zone threat for next year even as a skill player. Stevens has 11 total touchdowns and continues to prove that he can quarterback PSU. According to the Morning Call, he doesn’t seem to be going anywhere and that’s a good sign for the Nittany Lions (Video Courtesy of Nittany Nation).

Furthermore, when he reaches senior year expect Penn State to contend for the national title. His skill set won’t allow a drop off for the offense. If the rest of the team can stay the course, James Franklin and company can rest easy about the future.

Must Read: Penn State Football: Marcus Allen’s 2017 regular season rewind

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