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Trailing Texas A&M, 14-0, in the first quarter of the 2007 Valero Alamo Bowl, the Penn State coaching staff turned to quarterback Daryll Clark to provide an offensive spark. Seeing the most important experience in his collegiate career, Clark responded, combining with Anthony Morelli and the offense to quickly get the Nittany Lions back into the game en route to a 24-17 victory. He gained 50 yards on just six carries, for a superlative 8.3 average, including an electric 11-yard, game-tying touchdown leap to knot the score at 14. For the highly skilled and athletic Clark, the game provided great experience and a shot of confidence heading into the 2008 campaign, as he and redshirt sophomore Pat Devlin battle for the starting signal-caller assignment. Clark has very good arm strength and accuracy and has demonstrated his mobility and elusiveness when the situation calls for him to run. He is an instinctive and poised young man with good size and leadership skills who will have an opportunity to earn significant playing time this season. In the 2008 Blue-White game, Clark was nine-of-16 passing for 106 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Blue team to the 27-14 win. The former Ursuline HS standout hails from the talent-rich northeastern corner of Ohio.
2007 Junior Season
Playing in eight games, Clark was productive during his time on the field, gaining valuable experience. For the season, he was six-of-nine passing for 31 yards and gained 78 yards on 12 carries, for an impressive 6.5 average, with two touchdowns. Trailing Texas A&M, 14-0, in the first quarter of the 2007 Valero Alamo Bowl, the Penn State coaching staff turned to Clark to provide an offensive spark. Seeing the most important experience in his collegiate career, he responded, combining with Anthony Morelli and the offense to quickly get the Nittany Lions back into the game en route to a 24-17 victory. Clark gained nine yards on his first carry against the Aggies on his way to 50 yards on just six carries, for a superlative 8.3 average. After Morelli's 30-yard scoring strike to Deon Butler and A.J. Wallace's fumble recovery at the A&M 11, Clark got the call on first down. He bolted up the middle, leapt and stretched the ball over the plane in an electrifying play that knotted the game at 14 early in the second quarter. Later in the half, he had two more 11-yard runs on the same drive, culminating in Kevin Kelly's go-ahead field goal, giving him 42 yards on just four carries at the break. In the 38-7 win over No. 19 Wisconsin, Clark directed a six-play, 42-yard scoring drive in just 2:06. He had a 17-yard burst, capping the drive with a one-yard touchdown run, to give him 21 yards on three carries. In the win over Florida International, Clark was two-of-two passing for a season-high 18 yards. Against Ohio State, he was four-of-five for 13 yards. He was on the field for 47 snaps, led by 13 against Florida International and 10 against Texas A&M.
2006 Sophomore Season
Playing in seven games, Clark was 14-of-27 for 116 yards and gained 48 yards on the ground, with three touchdowns. He averaged 3.2 yards on his 15 carries. Clark made his debut at No. 4 Notre Dame, going three-of-eight for 36 yards. He scored his first career touchdown on a five-yard run, capping a 13-play, 83-yard drive. Clark gained a season-high 28 yards on four rushing attempts against the Irish. Against hometown Youngstown State, Clark completed three-of-four passes for 25 yards. He scored his second touchdown on an 18-yard dash up the middle, capping an eight-play, 64-yard drive. He gained 26 yards on four carries against the Penguins. Clark entered the game with No. 4 Michigan in the third quarter after starter Anthony Morelli was injured. He led Penn State on four possessions, completing three-of-six passes for 16 yards, but was later sidelined with a mild concussion. Against Temple, Clark was four-of-seven for 32 yards with a 23-yard strike to Brendan Perretta. He guided two scoring drives, completing one with a one-yard touchdown plunge.
2005 Freshman Season
Clark did not see any action.
High School
As a senior at Ursuline HS, Clark threw for 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns. A team captain as a senior for Coach Dan Murphy, he was named second-team Division IV All-Ohio. Clark also was selected all-league and all-area as a junior and senior. He attended Kiski Prep during the 2004-05 academic year.
Personal
Full name is Daryll Lawrence Clark. He is the son of Daryll and Sheryl Clark and has two brothers, Keith and Darnell. He is enrolled in telecommunications. Clark enjoys playing video games in his spare time. Born February 5, 1986 in Youngstown, Ohio.
