INSIDE SLANT

Penn State’s case for a BCS bowl game will be about more than just what has been achieved on the football field this season.

“Our fans are our best argument,” Penn State quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno said of a massive group that will travel in bunches to see the Nittany Lions play anywhere. “But we tried to put on a pretty good show today.”

The Nittany Lions capped a 10-win regular season with a 42-14 demolition of Michigan State on Saturday in East Lansing. Quarterback Daryll Clark threw four touchdown passes, the first-team defense allowed only seven points to one of the Big Ten’s top offenses and Penn State’s special teams were good enough to avoid any trouble.

The Nittany Lions, who will play in the Capital One Bowl unless they receive an at-large berth in the Fiesta or Orange Bowls, admitted that they had spent much of the week talking about potential bowl scenarios.

“All of that is wasted breath if you don’t come out and win the football game,” Clark said.

Now, Joe Paterno’s team must sit and wait for two weeks until the rest of college football has completed the regular season and the bowl pairings are drawn up. Paterno joked about calling some people on the phone to cash in some favors, but Penn State’s January destination will be influenced by factors that go well beyond statistics, including the compelling style the Nittany Lions showed in Saturday’s win.

“I think we can play with anybody,” Paterno said.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Penn State QB Daryll Clark now owns team single-season records for passing yardage (2,787) and touchdown passes (23) and the team career record for touchdown passes (42).

• The Nittany Lions completed a 4-0 season in Big Ten road games for the second time in school history and the first time since 1994.

• RB Evan Royster rushed for 114 yards on 13 carries against Michigan State, putting him over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.

Game Ball Goes To:   QB Daryll Clark—The senior broke three school passing records, completed 17 of his final 20 passes, threw for 310 yards and four touchdowns and gave the Nittany Lions a big win when they needed one.

Keep An Eye On:   DE Sean Stanley—The true freshman saw increased reps against Michigan State, recording two tackles and a half a sack. The Nittany Lions are looking for contributions from their defensive ends and their youngest regular is making them.

Quote To Note:   “I think we’re a good football team. I think we can play against anybody. Now whether somebody is going to take us or not in a BCS bowl, I don’t have any control over that.”—Penn State coach Joe Paterno.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Looking Good:   Penn State’s defense has consistently forced opponents into doing things they don’t want to do or play at a pace at which they don’t want to play. The Nittany Lions intercepted Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins twice Saturday and kept the Spartans under 100 yards rushing. Evan Royster finds yards when he has great blocking and somehow when he doesn’t. Penn State tight end Andrew Quarless has become a big-play threat that few teams seem to know how to handle.

Still Needs Work:   Penn State placekicker Collin Wagner continues to struggle on his longer field goal attempts. He missed a 38-yarder and a 51-yarder Saturday and is now 1-of-6 from 35 yards or longer. Quarterback Daryll Clark completed better than 67 percent of his passes but held onto the ball too long on a few occasions, taking four sacks. The Nittany Lions continue to struggle blocking for PR Drew Astorino, who managed only 13 yards on three returns against the Spartans.

Roster Report:  

• CB A.J. Wallace did not dress for the Michigan State game and did not practice last week after failing to pass concussion tests on Monday and Wednesday. He could return for Penn State’s bowl game.

• OL DeOn’tae Pannell, who began the season as the starting right tackle, made his second straight start at left guard Saturday even though regular starter Johnnie Troutman had recovered from his left calf injury.

• RB Stephfon Green handled the kickoff return duties in relief of Chaz Powell, who did not make the trip due to a shoulder injury. Green had two returns for 63 yards.