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Penn State’s annual Blue and White game holds about as much drama as a cafeteria line. You know what you are going to get. And while it’s football, it’s not good football.
That said, this year there is a modest amount of uncertainty.
One point that I need cleared up:
Is Tommy Stevens healthy?
Tommy is the heir apparent to outgoing quarterback and PSU recordholder Trace McSorley. The problem is that Tommy has a nagging injury. Has had it for years. And ended up getting surgery while his teammates battled Kentucky in the bowl game.
Now we need to know if the surgery is healed and if it worked.
Personally, I hope it did. Not because of his skill set, but because he’s a great kid.
Tommy was committed to Indiana. He grew up in Decatur. He flipped to PSU. He debuted in the 2015 Blue/White game, where he threw 10 completions on 17 attempts for 100 yards. And he looked good doing it.
He’s had a decent career at Penn State already. He ranks 8th all time in quarterback rushing totals—76 attempts for 506 yards and 8 touchdowns. He’s also caught 14 balls for 62 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a quarterback, that’s impressive. And, as a passer, he’s 24 of 41 for 304 yards, 1 int, and 4 touchdowns.
I’m excited to see what he can do if he puts all that together during a healthy season.
Plus, above all that: He did the impossible, in this day and age—he waited his turn. He could’ve transferred any number of times. He’s a big, talented quarterback. He could’ve gone to any number of other D1 schools and played.
But he didn’t.
No tantrums. No pouting. No passive aggressive nonsense. He’s a good kid, a good player—at 6’5” and 230 pounds, the kid could be a linebacker...he’s a giant—and I hope he gets his chance at a complete senior season.
So best of luck, Tommy. You are the reason I’ll be tuning in to the Blue White game tomorrow.