My Opinion
Thompson ends with solid effort

TAMPA, Fla. — In executing his finest performance of the season, Nittany Lion quarterback Kevin Thompson finally showed the characteristics his mentors and peers incessantly assured he possessed all along.

A carryover of his success into next season would provide the Lions with the balanced football team they so desperately needed this season.

Maybe it was the 33 days of preparation, the offensive game plan or the soft Kentucky defense that guided Thompson's effective day in the Lions' 26-14 Outback Bowl win New Year's Day.

But it wasn't his 14 of 27 passing for 187 yards and one touchdown -- certainly less-than-spectacular numbers -- that has given Lion faithful new hope for a 1999 filled with a dominating Penn State team on both sides of the football.

It was the poise, confidence and stability Thompson showed in directing the Lion offense.

"I think I played fairly well," Thompson said. "I'll always tell you that I think I can play better.

"When we lose, the quarterback gets a lot of the blame, and that's fine. But when we win, he gets too much of the credit. It works both ways in that sort of aspect."

Throughout the season, Thompson absorbed the criticism, doubt and overall blame for the Lions' sluggish offense, all of which were not whispered.

Countless local and national sports pages -- The Daily Collegian among them -- screamed he was the root of Penn State's offensive problems.

He struggled in the Lions' three biggest games of the season -- road losses to Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin.

"I didn't perform as well as I should have," a dejected Thompson said with his head bowed, following the Lions' 27-0 spirit-numbing loss to the Wolverines Nov. 7.

"I can't really say it's one person or another … Certainly, I didn't do my share."

And even after Lion victories, some in which he did do his share, many called for coach Joe Paterno to allow Rashard Casey a chance to showcase his talents as the Lions' leader.

But directly after the 28-9 Buckeye loss, Paterno, at his weekly press conference Oct. 6, essentially named Thompson the starter.

"Kevin, right now," Paterno said, comparing him to Casey, "has a better grasp of some of the things we want to do on offense."

It was most evident after the Michigan debacle that the Lion coaches still believed in Thompson's abilities when offensive coordinator Fran Ganter told me that one must assess the play of those around a quarterback before condemning him.

"There's a lot of things that look like they're Kevin's fault and they're not," Ganter said. "If we pass protect, and run our routes and he still has a bad day, then we'll say, 'Kevin, come on.' "

Against Kentucky, the Lions were able to create a safe pocket and receivers ran the proper routes - they just couldn't hold onto the ball at times. Thompson suffered four incompletions at the (lack of) hands of his receivers.

But caution still is warranted when looking at this game and forecasting the effectiveness of next season's offense.

Thompson still was long on a few deep tosses and did miss some open receivers.

Still, it gives Thompson and Lion supporters faith he may be able to lead a national title contender - as the Lions undoubtedly will be tabbed the next time they take the field.

And after the Lions invested a full season in Thompson, he will be their starter next season, with this performance propelling him with confidence to that role.