Penn State Football: Trace McSorley has chance to prove himself
Trace McSorley’s plays in big games has featured mostly quality efforts. However, images from USC and MSU are etched in Penn State football fan’s minds.
Trace McSorley delivered Penn State football from the abyss last year. Now, the greatest statistical QB in Penn State history is on the doorstep of iconic status. In two years, he has compiled a 21-5 record and led the Nittany Lions to back-to-back, double-digit win seasons. Furthermore, the production and play pushes his legacy out of the stratosphere. The only thing he needs to add on his illustrious resume is a big-time bowl win.
The Fiesta Bowl against Washington is an opportunity for McSorley to accomplish this and further put to rest any doubts about his play in big games. In the six games I’d characterize as big-time match-ups, McSorley played above average and had some outstanding games. Some analysts and fans don’t think he can handle the big stage, but I find that theory faulty.
The most condemning evidence came from two games. He tossed three interceptions against USC in the Rose Bowl and three more against Michigan State this year. Both games resulted in losses, and fans and pundits juggled with the idea of changing to Tommy Stevens at quarterback.
Head coach James Franklin never allowed those games to deter his pick atop the depth chart. Nor should they change his mind. When the bright lights turn on, McSorley is the same player he’s always been. With him in the lineup, Penn State football has the best chance to win.
Overall, the Nittany Lions are 3-3 in games against Ohio State (2016-2017), Michigan (2017), Wisconsin (2016), USC (Rose Bowl) and Michigan State (2017). In those games the dual threat QB put up respectable numbers. Disclaimer: I did not include the 2016 game against Michigan because the team was decimated with injuries, and it’s unfair to put that loss entirely on his shoulders.
Big-Game Numbers (6 games): 108-of-185 for 1,647 yards, 15 touchdowns against seven interceptions,183 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Against Ohio State the last two years, he tossed three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Ohio State came out on top this year, but McSorley played efficient enough to pick up a win. In addition, he threw the ball well against Michigan State until that monsoon rainstorm hit. For the sake of fairness, I’d say the loss to the Spartans probably fell on him the most, but the other five games he took Penn State the distance.
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Instead of collapsing after throwing two interceptions early against USC, he rallied back to throw four touchdowns. The Trojans put up 575 yards of offense shredding the Nittany Lions’ secondary to the tune of 453 yards and five touchdowns, so the defeat comes down to more than McSorley’s miscues. Bringing it full circle, McSorley deserves a little more credit than he gets for his efforts. Heading into a big-time battle with the Huskies, he can put his critics to rest with a win.