Penn State Football: Stevens career could mirror Robinson’s in final year

For three seasons Tommy Stevens and Michael Robinson had to wait to lead Penn State football. Now, Stevens looks to mimic Robinson’s final year.

The parallels are hard to ignore in the Penn State football careers of senior quarterback Tommy Stevens and former starting QB Michael Robinson. The two signal callers played the backup QB role for three years and became key gadget players over their reserve times in Happy Valley. When Robinson did get his starting moment, he took it and ran with it to an 11-1, 2005 season and an Orange Bowl victory. Stevens will try to do the same, should he get the job in 2019.

One major thing that Stevens and Robinson have/had in their corners entering their final season was playing time. Robinson saw the field a whole lot more than Stevens, recording 451 offensive touches for 2,641 yards and 18 total touchdowns, but he was also needed a lot more during some below .500. seasons.

Still, Stevens logged 131 total offensive plays (76 rushes, 41 pass attempts and 14 catches) for 872 all-purpose yards and 14 total touchdowns. He did a fair amount of that production through the highly-publicized “LION” position while sitting behind arguably the greatest QB in the program’s history in Trace McSorley. No other QB on the roster in 2005 or entering 2019 brought that same level of experience.

I think the potential is there for a repeat of Robinson’s final season. The two QBs went through highs-and-lows. Robinson flashed his skill set and also went through team’s offensive struggles in two of his first three seasons – the team went a combined 7-16 in 2003-2004. Those difficult moments were important in the long run. He stayed composed on his way to an all-time great senior season.

Stevens proved he could play at an elite level multiple times too and flashed brilliance like in the Iowa game this past season where he kept the offense afloat while McSorley was out with an injury.

But, he had to be patient and sit as well, waiting in the wings while McSorley continued to shine. This is where it’s good to point out he was a solid, supportive teammate during McSorley’s career, which didn’t go unnoticed by his teammates I’m sure. But for any competitor, and Stevens certainly is that, they want to be on the field.

Just as Robinson sat behind Zack Mills, Stevens did the same. However, his one season at the helm can be as legendary as Robinson’s. Stevens has the athleticism, in-game experience, leadership, knowledge of the playbook and talent as a passer to take Penn State football on a great run like Robinson did.