Penn State Football flashback: Michael Robinson keyed mobile QB trend
Signal callers for Penn State football joined the 21st century with Michael Robinson. Others could run, but he made the Lions’ transition to the new QB era.
Since the beginning of the new millennium, Penn State football has created excitement with scrambling quarterbacks. Starting with the duo of Zach Mills and Michael Robinson in the early 2000s. The duo combined for more than 2,000 career rushing yards and 31 touchdowns, putting Penn State back on the map.
Regardless, Robinson would be the vessel that delivered the Nittany Lions an Orange Bowl Championship win in 2005. Overshadowed by Vince Young, he brought the new-age college quarterback prototype to Happy Valley leading to future success.
Before I start, I know there guys that began scrambling at Penn State before Robinson. Rashard Casey, John Hufnagel and many others made plays with their legs. They all deserve their due. Nevertheless, Robinson brought the total package.
He recorded a solid TD-to-INT ratio of 17-to-10, keeping the ball out of harm’s way and finding open receivers. With help from the trio of Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood and Derrick Williams, he efficiently moved the offense through the air. On the ground, he proved to be an extra running back.
His skills as a runner frustrated defenses and left tacklers feeling woozy after he lowered the boom. Most quarterbacks that scramble try to slide or avoid hits, while Robinson lowered the shoulder and blasted defenders backward (Video Courtesy of vinnymckee).
Robinson rushed for 806 yards and 11 touchdowns to bring his 2005 single-season total yards to 3,156 and total TDs to 28. Utilizing some shotgun that season, he showed what a scrambler could do in the right system. Even if the future running back never played a snap at QB in the NFL, he proved to be the first elite dual threat QB in Penn State history.
In just one year as a starter, his speed and power on the ground yielded the Nittany Lions a BCS bowl win for the first time since the Fiesta Bowl triumph in 1996.
Following Robinson, the Happy Valley hammer, Daryll Clark, made his mark in the HD Spread. He brought a similar tough running style with his stout frame, barreling through defenders and into the end zone.
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Finally, Trace McSorley has set numerous passing and rushing records in the sawed-off mold of passers like Johnny Manziel and Baker Mayfield. His story is still wrapping up, but he continues a line of great dual threat guys. Looking into the future, Tommy Stevens could be the next great passer on the list, but it all starts with Robinson’s 2005 season.