#2
Michael Robinson (Quarterback, 2002-2005): Robinson did a little bit of
everything during his time in Happy Valley. He started off playing some running
back and wide receiver. When he did play quarterback he was used in the
"wild cat" formation. He would be split out wide or in the slot. He
would line up in the backfield. He was all over the field to be utilized
because he had such a unique skill set. Former Penn State defensive back
Richard Gardner called Robinson a "baby Mike Vick" because of all the
things he could do on the field. The Virginia native was behind Zack Mills
until Mills' departure after the 2004 season. The 2005 season would be the most
memorable for the now starting quarterback.
Heading
into he 2005 campaign and coming off back-to-back losing seasons, the Nittany
Lions reloaded with talent on the offensive side. Freshman talent was at a
premium with 5-star recruits Derrick Williams and Justin King coming in to help
the offense and Robinson and they would do just that. The Nittany Lions started
off the season 3-0 heading into Evanston, Illinois to take on Northwestern in a
game which saw Robinson complete a 4th and 15 to tight end Isaac Smolko then five
plays later the quarterback hit his favorite target, wide receiver Derrick
Williams for a 36-yard touchdown strike. The score gave the Nittany Lions the
lead and ultimately was the deciding factor. Two weeks later came the biggest
test of the season; Jim Tressel brought his 6th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes into
Beaver Stadium in front of a crowd of 109,839. The stats weren't eye popping
for either team but the Nittany Lions came out with a 17-10 victory, which
propelled them to the top of the Big Ten standings. Unfortunately for Robinson
and the Lions, the following week wasn't so kind. They had a trip to Ann Arbor
with a matchup with Michigan. The game didn't end without controversy of course,
as the Wolverines would beat Robinson and company on a last-second touchdown
from Chad Henne to Mario Manningham.
The rest
of the season for Penn State went without disappointment, as they would capture
the Big Ten title and a trip to the Orange Bowl where they would take on ACC
Champions Florida State and head coach Bobby Bowden. Robinson in the game was
21-39 for 253 yards and a touchdown. The matchup of the two winningest coaches
in college football would go deep into the night, as the Nittany Lions would
outlast the Seminoles 26-23 in triple overtime. He would finish the season with
2,350 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Also named to the Maxwell
Award watch list and a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award (given to the
nations top passer).
A lot was
made of the 2005 Penn State football team and their revival of the program.
There were many players who were key parts in that revival but maybe none more
than Robinson. He was the senior leader on the team and everyone in the
community knew it. They knew he would be the one who in that season would take Penn
State back to the top. We had seen him for three years be used as just part of
the game plan but in 2005 he was the man and everyone jumped onboard and rolled
with him. The best part is he never let us down.
Career
Achievements:
-Second
Team All-Big Ten (2005)
-Big Ten
Offensive Player of the Year (2005)
-806
rushing yards in 2005 were most by quarterback in Penn State history
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