Penn State's Robinson comes to the rescue
By Kevin Wu
Badger Herald
(U-WIRE) MADISON, Wis. -- Penn State football has become a pillar of the college football scene. The classic blue and white threads, freak linebackers and the institution himself, Joe Paterno, have all become fixtures of the football landscape.
While critics may claim the game is passing the Nittany Lions by, sophomore quarterback Michael Robinson is breathing fresh air into the lungs of the Penn State offense. The electric 6-foot-2, 229-pound signal caller from Richmond, Va., is as entertaining a player as there is in this country.
Elevated to starter for this week's game against the Badgers, Robinson presents a different dynamic for the Lions' offense -- a nightmare matchup for the Wisconsin defense, whether it be up front or in the secondary. Previously used as a situational wide receiver and tailback, Robinson brings a forceful and athletic presence to the Penn State offense. And though he is being thrown into the fire amid unenviable circumstances, he knows his role and recognizes what it is that he needs to do.
"I want to let [my teammates] know that I am going to push the pace," Robinson said when asked about his first collegiate start. "I want to let the guys know that I have faith in them and we can get this done."
It is this type of responsibility and leadership that has endeared Robinson to his coaches and teammates. Subbing in for an injured Zack Mills in an otherwise lost cause against Minnesota last week, Robinson kept the Lions in the game up to the wire, despite having entered with a 14-point deficit.
Robinson's performance is due in large part to his athleticism, which sent the Minnesota defensive coordinators back to the drawing boards as they faced the prospect of a Lions' comeback. Not to be ignored, however, are his playmaking instincts and knowledge of the game. Through extensive playing time at wide receiver and tailback, Robinson has grasped the nuances of the offense in a relatively short amount of time.
"I understand what the player at each of those positions goes through," said Robinson, reflecting on his playing days at each position. "I know what they see when they are on the field from the different positions, how a receiver has to run his route, whether or not the tailback is open in the flat. All of this makes it easier for me to be the team's quarterback."
Even with the playmaking range and capabilities, Robinson, who cites former Eagles and Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham as a role model, is not a happy-footed quarterback.
"I'm more interested in proving I can throw the ball and making the plays that way," said Robinson. "I realize that I have the ability and the luxury to run if it is needed and the matchups are not there, but it is important to run the offense as a quarterback."
And right now, being a quarterback is Robinson's sole focus. Though he is walking onto the field with an inexperienced receiver corps that has dropped numerous balls throughout the course of the season, Robinson remains undaunted.
"The only way to solve our problem there is to keep going to them," Robinson explained. "These guys would not be playing at this level if they could not play and catch balls. Right now it's just a mental barrier that we have to overcome together."
Exuding appropriate confidence and having faith in his teammates, Robinson is saying all the right things in hopes that the Nittany Lions can salvage the season. Whether or not he is able to do this remains to be seen. But with an offensive weapon like Robinson standing under center and directing the offense, Penn State will certainly be more dangerous than their overall record indicates.
© 2002 Badger Herald via U-WIRE
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