A.Q. Shipley News

The first of Penn State's two most critical games is less than a week away. Forget about the Ohio State Buckeyes for now.

There's a different vibe around unbeaten Penn State this week. The talk about off-field troubles has disappeared.

No. 6 Penn State has its highest ranking since finishing the 2005 season at No. 3. Sales of everything orange spiked dramatically on Thursday in State College.

Cue Willie Nelson: Penn State is about to go on the road again. Considering that life on the road in recent seasons has been as tough on Penn State football as it was on "Death of a Salesman" character Willy ...

A.Q. Shipley Derrick WIlliams and Josh Gaines helped lead Penn State to a 5-0 start with their victory over Illinois on Saturday night.

The objective of Penn State's offense will be continuing to put the ball in the hands of its various weapons.

It is expected to be the strongest unit on a team that thinks it can contend for a Big Ten championship.

Penn State's Stephfon Green works to get around Temple's Dominique Harris at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, September 20, 2008.

As they filed out early during yet another breezy victory, many of the Penn State supporters had to wonder exactly what they had witnessed.

Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark was succinct in assessing the Lions' offense early in its Saturday game with Temple.

Coastal Carolina quarterback Zach MacDowell, scrambles out of the pocket, as Penn State's Maurice Evans, gives pressure from the backside.

There was the Power I. Split tailbacks. Single-back sets. Three wides, four wides.

Quiet captain Anthony Scirrotto spoke up about off-field issues. He hadn't planned to do this.

A.Q. Shipley listened to the question, then grimaced. "Hold on a sec, I'm cramping up here," he said.

"We talk about pretty much everything," Clark said, with the most recent call coming the past Friday at the team hotel.

PSU quarterback has gain respect from teammates for his poise. It's not enough pressure for Daryll Clark to be taking over at quarterback at Penn State.

The offense looks like it could be the most versatile, the most productive in years.

Evan Royster has stood conventional thinking -- and opposing defenses -- on their collective ears through the first two games of the football season.

Sitting still on the bench in the second quarter, tailback Evan Royster barely looked out of breath even after having already rushed for three touchdowns.

After Penn State smoked Oregon State, 45-14, on Saturday, safety Anthony Scirrotto stood up in the locker room and addressed the team.