Clifford Stevens
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HOME GAME SPECIAL: NEWS COVERAGE INSIDE Published independently by students at Penn State Vol. 119 No. 56 WITHOUTApril 11-14, 2019 @DailyCollegian A TRACE STEVENS CLIFFORD VS. For the first time in three years, Penn State’s starting QB job is up for grabs heading into the Blue-White game Photos by Ken Kalbach and Aabha Vora PAGE A2 | APRIL 11-14, 2019 VERSUS THE DAILY COLLEGIAN A PATIENT JOURNEY Photo by Caitlin Lee/Collegian After tragedy and off-the-field issues, running back Journey Brown is ready to be a key contributor By Caleb Wilfinger and that I don’t want to waste this prepared to take advantage of this and continues to lead by example. six-yard rush, against Michigan THE DAILY COLLEGIAN opportunity that I have.” opportunity. “We’ve seen some really good he had an eight-yard carry and Trusting himself has been “I’m getting more comfort- things from him,” Franklin said. caught a pair of passes out of the Journey Brown has been noth- something that Brown has strug- able with the offense because our “He’s a really confident player backfield and a late-season game ing if not patient. gled with, but those around him style of play here is a lot different now, and he was a leader [in the against Maryland saw Brown fin- From the first day he arrived to — from his grandmother to his from what I was used to in high backfield] all offseason for us.” ish with 17 yards on three carries, campus in 2017, he knew that the coaches — have always believed school,” Brown said. A native of Meadville, Pennsyl- both of which were career highs. starting running back position in his game. “Just learning how to play at vania, Brown was a three-time While it wasn’t much on the would not be immediately avail- Running backs coach Ja’Juan this level is the most important all-region honoree and broke the surface, that in-game experience able to him. Seider has played a significant skill I’ve picked up [since coming Meadville High School rushing did a lot for Brown’s outlook on He also thought that perhaps role in helping Brown adapt to the to Penn State]. I think I’ve gotten record, finishing his career with how difficult it is to succeed at the he was not cut out to be a big-time college game, and has also been a lot stronger, faster and smarter 7,027 yards and 106 touchdowns. highest level of college football. college athlete and if he would there for Brown when the 20-year on the field.” During a game as a junior in “It just sort of showed me what ever make it — a sense of doubt old had gone through some of his It’s fair to assume that sopho- 2015, Brown set a state record for it’s like when you’re in the game,” that crept in only after Brown en- mentally and emotionally taxing more five-star recruit Ricky Slade rushing yards in single game af- he said. “I didn’t have much game dured a personal tragedy. off-the-field issues, whether it will get the majority of the carries ter racking up 722 yards with 10 experience, but those opportuni- Despite being a gifted athlete was with his family or related to in the early part of the season, es- total touchdowns, in a 107-90 win ties prepared me for what I’m on the field and remaining closer school. pecially since he carries the most over DuBois. going to see from now on. I know to home by attending Penn State, “I tend to overthink things in-game experience out of the The redshirt sophomore did how hard the linebacker hits, I the Pennsylvania native strug- sometimes,” Brown said. “I can stable of running backs. all of this while having to share know how fast the game moves, gled with a number of personal is- second guess myself on the field But, even after putting up vid- handoffs with his teammates and it just makes me realize how sues that threatened to take him at points, but I’ve cut down on eo-game like numbers in high throughout his impressive high much better I’ve gotten in the off- off the field entirely. that a lot compared to last year, school, Brown is still a relatively school career. season compared to last year.” “I would often let personal stuff and I’m starting to trust myself unknown player at the Division I As part of a crowded back- It’s fair to say that Brown might off the field, like school or people and my abilities more. Coach Se- level. field in Happy Valley, Brown is not be an every-down back in this who passed away in my family, fill ider has helped me out a lot with “Obviously, Journey doesn’t embracing the challenge of es- offense, but his talents extend be- up my brain on the field,” Brown believing in myself.” have the game experience that tablishing himself as a fixture in yond running between the tack- said. “I would always use football But now, after the subsequent Ricky has, but he was always a Penn State’s offense, while also les. as my off the field escape in high departures of Saquon Barkley gifted player,” James Franklin acknowledging that seeing his A track star and hundred-yard school, and I feel like I lost that to and Miles Sanders — two an- said. “He missed a lot of spring teammates succeed is just as re- dash specialist in his younger the point where it was more of a chors in the backfield over the ball last year because of a ham- warding. days, his elite speed without the business than a game I loved.” last few seasons — the running string injury, but this year the “Personally, I like the way our ball can be a weapon for Penn Brown says he started to push back position is as wide open as it light really seems to be turning system is set up now,” Brown State on special teams as well. through these off-the-field chal- has been in years. on for him this time around. Not said. “It’s a lot more fun being a Regardless of how many car- lenges and get back to loving the Even though believing in him- only is he becoming more con- part of a group where everyone ries he ends up getting, or how game last year. self has been an ongoing struggle fident within the offense, but his touches the ball. It’s more fun for he is implemented in the offense, The turning point for him, he for Brown, his body language and blitz pickup and pass blocking us [the running backs], and it’s Brown is a unique talent who says, was when his grandmother development on the field has got- have gotten a lot better as well.” also harder on the defense be- could turn out to be a very impor- passed away. ten the attention of his running While most running backs that cause they can’t just focus on one tant player for the Nittany Lions A fixture in Brown’s upbring- backs coach. commit to a major Division I pro- guy. You’ve got to stop all of us.” this season. ing, she has been a part of his “Journey has really been a gram are used to being looked at Even with all the gaudy num- “We have a lot of talent [in the journey since the beginning, on pleasant surprise,” Seider said. as the main option, Brown has bers in his high school career, backfield], and I feel like we all and off the field. “He’s taking that next stop and I grown accustomed to sharing the Brown has not had the easiest complement each other pretty “When my grandma passed think that the confidence — even workload with others at his posi- time as a face in the crowd at one well,” Brown said. “At this point, away, I really started to lock in,” though he didn’t play a lot, he got tion. of the premier college football it seems like we’ll be sharing the Brown said. in the game enough to know that This running back by com- programs in the nation. load, but I feel comfortable wher- “She was a big part of my life we believe in him — is starting to mittee system that Penn State Last year, Brown appeared in ever I’m put it, and I’ll do what- and she always gave me that show out here on the field.” is likely to employ this fall could eight games and got a handful of ever the team needs to win.” confidence I needed to succeed. After two years of waiting in have been a point of contention in carries in most of those contests. When she died, it made me un- the wings and adapting to the the locker room, but Brown has Against Illinois, he scored To email reporter: [email protected]. derstand why I play this game, college game, Brown is fully bought in to Penn State’s system, his first career touchdown on a Follow him on Twitter at @caleb_wilfinger. Shaping the Nittany Lions’ O-line By Evan Patrick At center, redshirt junior Mi- “He’s the person on offense THE DAILY COLLEGIAN chal Menet will return to the spot who has taken the biggest stride where he made 12 starts a year over spring ball,” sophomore de- Two of Penn State’s most vital ago.