The white bracelet on Anthony Morelli's left wrist said "RESPECT."
Respect, which he didn't always get last year on the field, from fans and the media.
But Saturday, Morelli took a step to finally win over critics. It's been an elusive journey since last year's up-and-down season. But he was 23 of 38 for 295 yards on Saturday, all career highs, and he had three touchdowns, tying a career high.
"I was real comfortable," Morelli said after the game. "We've been working on the pass game nonstop this offseason. That's what they've been allowing us to do -- throw the ball around the yard."
Morelli did just that in No. 17 Penn State's win against Florida International, particularly in the first half.
Penn State (1-0) started slowly, but Morelli began to settle and the offense followed. He threw for 231 yards in the first half, breaking Mike McQueary's Penn State school record of 219 first-half yards, set against Wisconsin in 1997.
"He's way more poised, and like I said before, he was out there having fun," wide receiver Terrell Golden said. "It was almost like you were in the backyard again just having a good time with all your friends."
Saturday was essentially a continuation of Morelli's breakout Outback Bowl performance, during which he was 14 of 25 for 197 yards and a touchdown.
This weekend's game against Notre Dame (0-1) will be another chance for him to continue the upward trend -- especially given the Nittany Lions' blowout loss last year in South Bend, Ind.
"That game is so far behind me," Morelli said. "I was beginning my career, and they had a great football team. We might not have been ready for that. We kinda got thrown in the fire there. After that season under my belt, the bowl game, this game I think I'm a lot more confident."
He distributed his three touchdown passes to different receivers against FIU (0-1). In the first quarter, Golden caught a 4-yard touchdown and tight end Mickey Shuler had a 17-yard touchdown catch. In the third quarter, running back Matt Hahn scored on a 1-yard reception.
What may be more telling than his distribution or passing statistics was his presence in the pocket. He moved at the right times and generally avoided pressure when everything collapsed.
Morelli had one lowlight, coach Joe Paterno said, when he was sacked in the third quarter for a 9-yard loss. Other than that, he was cool back there.
The new moves, perhaps, came directly from the 80-year-old coach.
"Joe's been showing him his new moves with the new legs," said quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno, joking with reporters. "He learned all those new moves from Joe. He gave us a couple of things in the pocket and he's been doing that all preseason, so we're not surprised with it, but we're happy to see it."
It was a slightly new wrinkle for a quarterback who had one of the best passing seasons in Penn State history last year, including the most completions (208) and attempts (386) and the third-most yards (2,488).
The stats can't change the fact that he is still the quarterback who dealt with e-mailed death threats and harsh criticism last year.
But Saturday was a first move, finally, toward respect.
"I thought he handled things very well, managed the game very well, threw a couple away that he would've forced last year," Jay Paterno said, "so I think that was a big step forward."
