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Penn State Football: Trace McSorley’s legacy takes center stage in 2018

By Collin Wieder

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Safety Marcus Allen #2 and quarterback Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions hold up the Playstation Fiesta Bowl trophy after defeating the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Safety Marcus Allen #2 and quarterback Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions hold up the Playstation Fiesta Bowl trophy after defeating the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Trace McSorley went from humble three-star recruit to all-time leading passer for Penn State football. Can he further his legacy in 2018?

CAREER STATS: 528-of-854, 7,369 yards, 59 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 8.6 yards per attempt

Every statistical record will no doubt get surpassed by Penn State football quarterback Trace McSorley in 2018. In a video game-like offense, he has put up huge numbers through the air and on the ground. Although his numbers deserve mention, his 22-5 record and a Fiesta Bowl Championship loom even larger on his profile.

Even with his accomplishments, fans still clamored for more last year. When he struggled to play well early on, fans called for Tommy Stevens. The calls made no sense considering he led the team on its first great run in the post-sanction era, but I know why they occurred. Penn State fans want national championships. In a world where quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts were keeping Tua Tagovailoa on the bench, people want more.

That’s understandable, but this situation is not the same. McSorley helped Penn State make the jump from a 7-6 squad to back-to-back 11-win seasons. His ability to create and become a gunslinger, turned the Nittany Lions into a vertical attack and that opened the offense up.

Stevns has the same dual threat ability, but it hadn’t been tested in a full live game. When McSorley stepped in against Georgia in the TaxSlayer Bowl in 2015, he gave the offense a spark and nearly completed a comeback win once he settled in. It became his job to lose from there, and he parried off the talented backup.

McSorley’s legacy no matter how much people want to call him a stat padder and big game bust is top five already in Penn State history. He brought the Nittany Lions’ offensive attack into a the fast-paced spread attack.

Much like past all-time great QBs, he has left an indelible mark. The Ohio State win in 2016, the dime to Juwan Johnson at Iowa and the Fiesta Bowl breakout performance all come to mind.

The only thing really left for him to conquer would be to win a national championship. He could stand next to Kerry Collins (the undefeated season counts) and Todd Blackledge, taking his place on the Penn State QB Mount Rushmore.

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If he doesn’t, he’ll bring home Penn State another 10-plus win season and a big-time bowl. He should be viewed just the same. Only other Penn State QB has ever accomplished that.

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