Back in 2001, when Zack Mills took over the reigns as Penn State quarterback, I remember being shocked when the offense occasionally broke the huddle and Mills stopped a few yards behind center. What? The shotgun at Penn State?

It was if the shotgun was some revolutionary concept -- and at Penn State, where the I-formation was standard for decades, it did seem like something out of the future.

Of course, the shotgun is just a standard part of Penn State offense now, which under Jay Paterno and Galen Hall has evolved into the "Spread HD."

Another of the new developments at Penn State during the Rashard Casey/Zack Mills era and into 2005 with Michael Robinson was the option. Not that PSU should go back to anything from the first half of the decade, but given the personnel available, option packages would suit the offense well.

When Penn State fully transitioned to the spread in 2005 with Robinson at quarterback and the Butler/Norwood/Williams group at receiver, the Texas-like spread option proved to be a viable threat when used. And Robinson also frequently ran zone option plays from under center (you may remember his touchdown in the second quarter against Ohio State at the goal line).

The option largely disappeared in the Anthony Morelli era of 2006-07, and understandably so. With more of a traditional pocket passer, the offense moved toward a pro-style spread system.

Last season, the Spread HD came into effect, trying to get players into space, spreading the ball around and offering a wide variety of formations. And with one year of the offense under the team's belt, it's time to incorporate some more option plays into the system.

Given that the receivers are unproven, mixing in more option looks than in 2008 would allow Penn State to take advantage of the wealth of talent in the backfield between Clark, Evan Royster, Stephfon Green, Brandon Beachum and in a Derrick Williams-like role, Chaz Powell.

I'm not saying that the Nittany Lions should switch to a Paul Johnson flexbone offense (which is broken down quite well by Smart Football). But adding some more option looks seems like a natural progression of the Spread HD.

It allows different playmakers to get their hands on the ball. It can confuse defenses. And it takes advantage of the different types of athletes available in the backfield. For example, Clark running the option out of the shotgun flanked by Royster and Green presents a matchup problem for just about any defense.

Sure, it's a risk given how important Clark's health is to the team's success this season. But Penn State must capitalize on Clark's versatility at quarterback, and incorporating more option into the offense is a way to do so.

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Quick hits:
-Our counterparts at The Daily Evergreen at Washington State are getting tired of writing about Cougars players getting arrested.

-Sen. Orrin Hatch wrote an editorial in this week's edition of Sports Illustrated about why Congress should get involved in the BCS. A Senate hearing is coming next week.

-Florida State is in no hurry to stop appealing its NCAA sanctions.

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Link/Video of the Day:
Georgia Tech running the option to perfection last season against Miami:

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-Matt Brown