Penn State Midseason Awards

The 2009 football season is half over, so let's take a look back at the first half of the season, and the players and coaches who made the biggest impact.

• Offensive Player of the Half-Year: QB Daryll Clark

This was the toughest pick, so I'm getting it out of the way. No single player has really stepped into "The Man" role so far, but Clark has been the biggest key to Penn State's offense. Runner Up: WR Chaz Powell

• Defensive Player of the Half-Year: LB Josh Hull

Has any defender been asked to step up more than The Hullstache this season? Two All-America linebackers were supposed to be flanking the former walk-on, but he's been instead thrust into the leadership role on defense. Hull has been the steadying force on a unit that's been without its two best players for most of the season so far. Runner Up: LB Navorro Bowman

• Assistant Coach of the Half-Year: DL Coach Larry Johnson, Sr.

I was very tempted to go with Tom Bradley for his work overall on defense. But LJ Sr. lost two great defensive ends, one very good one, and a few defensive tackles since the end of 2008. And all he's done is put together yet another fantastic defensive line. Runner Up: Tom Bradley, Defense/Corners

• Biggest Surprise, Defense: CB D'Anton Lynn

Haven't noticed Lynn over there? Good. That's exactly why he gets the nod here. Lynn is only a sophomore, but has played nearly every defensive snap for Penn State this season. It says a lot when an underclassmen secures a starting position over two seniors. Runner Up: LB Josh Hull

• Biggest Disappointment, Defense: DE Jerome Hayes

This sucks. I can't remember the last time I've rooted this hard for a single player to do well. But Hayes hasn't been a real factor, despite his starting role on the D-line, so far this season. We were all so excited that he was finally healthy. I really do hope he can turn it on the second half of this season. Runner Up: S Drew Astorino

• Biggest Surprise, Offense: TE Andrew Quarless

Quarless has grown up about 10 years in the last three months. He must have realized that this is his final shot to get into the NFL. Lucky for him and the team, he's stepped up and played lights-out when given the chance. Runner Up: WR Derek Moye

• Biggest Disppointment, Offense: The offensive line

This one wasn't difficult to pick. It's tough to blame a single player on offense when the line has taken four weeks to figure itself out. While this unit seems to have pulled things together the past two weeks, overall this season has been a big letdown up front. Runner Up: RB Evan Royster

• Best Moment: Chaz Powell's 79-yard touchdown vs Iowa

Daryll Clark connected to Powell on the first offensive play of the game.

• Worst Moment: Every play after the best moment

No comment.

• Best coaching adjustment: Illinois

The entire season seemed to change when Penn State came out of the locker room ready to run Clark. Kudos to the entire offensive staff for this one. It was a biggie.

• Best Game: Illinois

• Worst Game: Iowa

• OVERALL GRADE, FIRST-HALF: B

If this team didn't come out blasting in the second half at Illinois, I wouldn't have been nearly so generous on the grade. I think this had been a tale of two teams so far. The first four games, it seemed like Penn State was resting on its 2008 laurels. The past two games felt like this team woke up from a 10-month nap, which I think is exactly the case.

The defense has been way better than I expected, especially in the supposed trouble spots on the defensive line and backfield. The offense has gone as the line has gone, which wasn't very far until some changes were made three weeks ago.

The last two performances really boosted this grade, kind of like doing really well on the midterm, even though your regular classwork was crappy. Now let's see if this team can use this as a launch pad to finish the season stronger than it started.