When it comes to Kevin Newsome, Penn State quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno said sometimes a completed pass isn't enough for the quarterback.
"The thing about him is he's a guy who if the pass isn't 100 percent right where it has to be, he's going to turn around and say, 'What did I do?' " Paterno said. "He's constantly asking and he's very inquisitive and very curious and that's a good trait to have as a young quarterback."
The true freshman signal caller played for both the Blue and White teams during the White's 21-16 win in Saturday's scrimmage in front of a spring game record 76,500 fans. Newsome combined to go 9-for-13 for 71 yards and a touchdown.
On his touchdown pass, Newsome threw a floater that cut between two defenders and landed in Brett Brackett's hands. The freshman, who was not available for comment after the game, also ran for seven total yards on two carries.
Battling Newsome for the backup quarterback spot is walk-on Matt McGloin. In the spring game, McGloin combined to go 9-for-13 for 111 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a game-high 28 yards for both the Blue and White squads.
Paterno said if the Nittany Lions were getting ready for a game shortly, Newsome would be preparing as the No. 2 and Matt McGloin would be the "3 or 2A."
Looking at McGloin, Paterno said while he isn't 6-foot-5 or 240 pounds -- he's listed at 6-foot-1 and 196 -- McGloin can run and has a great arm.
Because the defense played basic formations in the spring game, Paterno said the team kept it simple for the offense as well. He also admitted he hasn't given the two quarterbacks the same packages as starting quarterback Daryll Clark because the latter is more experienced.
With two young quarterbacks filling the backup slots on the depth chart, Paterno said he can't overstate the importance of keeping Clark healthy. He also joked that he's going to call President Barack Obama to see if can get secret service protection and also a limousine and Air Force One for road trips for Clark even though he doesn't think taxpayers would approve.
Despite his overall optimism regarding the backups, the quarterbacks coach said neither McGloin nor Newsome is prepared to start right now.
"Not because they can't do it, but they've got 15 practices," Paterno said. "But we have 29 practices before we'd have to get to that situation. I think if they continue to progress -- they're a third of the way to the first game in terms of practices -- not to mention they'll throw all summer and everything.
"But I'm comfortable with the talent we have there to get done what we need to get done. I don't have any question about that."
Head coach Joe Paterno was also complimentary toward the backup quarterbacks, especially Newsome.
Although Paterno only spoke before the Blue-White Game, he said the freshman has "tremendous potential." The coach added it's tough for a newcomer to learn how to anticipate when receivers will break open and also understand lanes after only a few days of practice.
Newsome's family drove up from Virginia to watch him play in a Penn State uniform for the first time. Analyzing his son's performance, Kevin Newsome Sr. said the quarterback was more mature and calmer than he was in the past.
He also said his son benefited from suiting up for both sides because injuries can happen at any time and he needs to get his timing down with as many receivers as possible.
Clark said while Newsome is sometimes hesitant, one of his positives is he asks a lot of questions.
The defensive backs also thought highly of Newsome's effort Saturday.
Cornerback Knowledge Timmons, who said he took Newsome and safety Gerald Hodges "under his wing" when the pair first arrived, said the freshman did terrific considering he's coming straight from high school.
Fellow defensive back Drew Astorino agreed.
"Kevin's done really well," Astorino said. "He should be going to his senior prom right about now in high school and he's playing big-time college football. He's young but he's doing a great job."
