Casey saves best for last
Penn State QB may have put end to "Experiment"
by
John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News
December 29, 1999

The Grand Quarterback Experiment, in all likelihood, has thrown its last pass. Made its last substitution. And taken its last hit from Nittany Lions fans. Look for Penn State to return to its one-quarterback system next year. Rashard Casey made his case for it Tuesday, running the Nittany Lions' offense to near-perfection.

His passing statistics probably never will make people forget Kerry Collins, but Casey's double-threat skills in Penn State's 24-0 victory over Texas A&M provided what many fans of the blue-and-white hope is a preview of things to come.

He passed for one touchdown and ran for another, his team-high sixth rushing touchdown in 1999. His official numbers (8 of 16 passing for 146 yards with one interception; 27 net yards rushing on seven attempts) don't really tell the tale. He was nearly as dominant offensively as teammate LaVar Arrington was defensively. Hence, the two were easy winners as the game's top offensive and defensive players.

"This was his best game," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said of Casey. "He played an intelligent game, too. A couple of times he read the 'hot' receivers. I was pleased that Rashard took the bull by the horns this week." Casey and senior Kevin Thompson alternated at quarterback all season, with Thompson getting the bulk of the work and the start in all 12 of Penn State's regular-season games.

But Thompson injured his throwing shoulder in the win over Ohio State and reinjured it during bowl preparations after the team arrived in San Antonio.

"It was hard watching from the sidelines in my final game," Thompson said. "It's something you never want to go through. I've given everything I have, my heart and soul, to this program. It was tough, but I'm proud to be a part of this team. I think you saw what Rashard's going to do next year."

Thompson said he could have played "in an emergency" and Paterno asked him if he wanted to go in during the fourth quarter.

"But he (Casey) was the leader out there today," Thompson said. "It was only fitting that he finish the game."

After Derek Fox returned a Randy McCown pass 34 yards for a 7-0 Penn State lead, Casey led the Nittany Lions on a 73-yard, six-play drive.

On a third-and-12 from the Texas A&M 45, Casey hit sophomore split end Eddie Drummond on the fly. Drummond beat A&M's Sedrick Curry on the play. Travis Forney's extra-point kick with 3.46 left before halftime made it 14-0.

Casey capped a 72-yard, five-play drive with a 4-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth period to ice the game.

"I didn't know if Kevin was going to play or not," said Casey. "I just went out and tried to do the things I do best. I was relaxed. I didn't think their defense was going to be any better than some of the ones we've seen this season.

"I'm sad for Kevin. I can't say enough about how much he helped me all year. People tried to say we were rivals and all that, but we weren't. We were too close for that."

Casey will return as a fifth-year senior next season, but Paterno only smiled when asked about employing a two-quarterback system again.

"That's the fun part of coaching," the legendary coach said, "Sometimes kids change a great deal in a year. Rashard looked great, but you never pencil in anyone as the starter this early in ink. Only in pencil, because you never know how some of the other kids are going to improve."