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By Eric Thomas, April 17, 2008

Last updated: Friday, April 18, 2008 7:45 AM EDT

They say the runner can pass and the passer can run.

Saturday everyone can finally draw some form of conclusion in the great debate of 2008.

Darryl Clark or Pat Devlin.

Which one is better under center? Who has the itchy trigger finger?

Whose spiral is tighter? whose deep ball is a frozen rope?

Maybe more importantly, can one of them finally beat Michigan?

There are more questions than answers, perhaps more intrigue than either. Who has the inside track on the starting quarterback job for Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions is anyone’s guess at this point.

Saturday’s annual Blue White game will give everyone a glimpse of what both can do, not do and maybe one will take the lead in this two horse race.

If last Saturday’s coaches’ scrimmage is any indication, then consider Clark the apparent front runner as he ran most of the scrimmage’s 11-on-11 drills as the No. 1.

“As far as the starter of the fall season against Coastal Carolina, obviously I want to be the guy,” Clark said. “I’m not going to sit here and say something otherwise. But all I can do is what I’m told and the rest is up to coach Joe Paterno and how he sees things so we’ll see how that goes.”

Clark’s ability has only half been put on display.

During Penn State’s 24-17 comeback victory over Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl in December, Clark was inserted for selective series to jump start a stagnant Nittany Lions offense. He responded with a punishing touchdown run and 50 yards on six carries.

Without him, a 14-0 hole might have been far too insurmountable.

He did not attempt a pass, though said afterward the coaching staff had specified passing plays for him if needed.

Devlin stood and watched it all on the sidelines, using his time as a reserve to mimic opposing quarterbacks such as Tennessee’s Erik Ainge.

Clark is the brash, more outspoken ying to Devlin’s quiet yang.

Case in point - before the Outback Bowl in 2006, Clark, then a second string quarterback who saw limited action in games at Notre Dame and was knocked out of the Michigan loss that season, declared himself ready to take Anthony Morelli’s job in 2007.

No matter what.

Case in point, part two - after the Alamo Bowl victory, a party scene ensuing around him, Clark, racing with adrenaline, calmed down, looked at reporters with his determined stare and said he would be the man in 2008.

Devlin? We’ve heard nary a peep from him until now.

Some would consider them Penn State’s version of the odd couple, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

They are united, for better or worse, under the same umbrella, with the same goals, and same title aspirations.

“I think on and off the field we’re pretty cool,” Clark said. “I’ll call him sometimes to go watch film. He’ll call me sometimes to go watch film. Yeah, we’re pretty good friends. On the field, he’ll ask me ‘what did I miss?’ and I’ll ask him what I should have done because he has a pretty sharp eye of the game as well as I do and we just feed off one another.

“We’re competing but we’re helping each other at the same time.”

Where some have desired to see if Clark is a reincarnation of Michael Robinson, Devlin has been the talk of transfer rumors that never seem to cease.

He isn’t going anywhere.

“As of right now I haven’t even thought about it. I haven’t even thought about it,” Devlin said.

Despite the friendship, it’s easy to remind both they are competing against one another. It’s been naturally assumed in some corners during the spring practice weeks that Clark will eventually cement the job.

“I don’t see it that way at all. Going into the spring, coach told me that Daryll had a little more experience than me but I think it all comes down to whoever makes the best reads, the right reads, whoever is doing the right things with the football,” Devlin said.

And if it comes down to a two-quarterback system?

“Whatever the coaches want to do that’s what I’m here to do,” Devlin said. “We’ve done a lot of Daryll take two reps, me take two reps and that kind of thing swapping back and forth this spring just to see how it worked out.”

“Well, if the coaches decide to go with a two quarterback system, it’s obvious that they see something that will benefit the team more than just having one,” Clark added. “I’m a team player and if that’s what they want to do then I’m all for that. Now, in my mind, and I’m pretty sure this goes for the other quarterbacks on the team, they want to run the offense themselves. I’m almost positive that’s what goes through every quarterback’s mind.

“You want to play, and you want to play only. But, if the coaches feel that we are in better shape with the two quarterback system then so be it, as long as we’re winning games.”

Where things get interesting is that the idea of a two-quarterback system could play over into 2009 if Clark receives an extra year.

In order to do so he would have to complete a certain amount of credits, something he is well on his way to accomplishing, which creates a possible situation in which Devlin would not be a full-time starter until his redshirt senior season.

“I haven’t really thought about it. Right now, I’m just focused on doing the right things on the field,” Devlin said.

The two-quarterback system has been a quirky and weighing thorn in Joe Paterno’s side. In 1999, he juggled both Rashard Casey and Kevin Thompson and it worked to an extent.

In the earlier part of this decade, he flip-flopped Zack Mills and Michael Robinson and it never seemed to click properly. Robinson was moved all around the field, Mills could never stay healthy.

Last season Paterno beat back repeated thoughts of putting Clark in place of Anthony Morelli to give the office a change of pace.

After seeing what Clark did in the bowl game some were left to ponder what if.

Now Paterno must play both or resist the urge all together like he did with Clark the last two seasons. And both quarterbacks might make it difficult to resist the urge to play the other.

“Daryll can throw the ball and I can run the ball a little bit,” Devlin said. “I’ve never said that I was a track star or anything but I can move around in the pocket. Daryll does the same thing. He’s great at moving around in the pocket. I really don’t think there’s that much difference with us.”

“Well, I like Pat’s confidence,” Clark added. “I like Pat’s confidence a lot because the kid is a very smart player and he knows what they’re giving them on defense and he does have the capability of picking it apart. But, I feel that the things he does, I have the capability of doing it as well. He does make a lot of good throws but at the same time, I do make good throws as well.”

Even defenders agree, making the decision that much more complex.

“Really they’re both peaking right now and they’re both looking great at everything. They’re both running, they’re both passing. They’re looking great. Really good,” said defensive back Tony Davis.

Between them, Clark and Devlin have a combined 37 pass attempts and have thrown for no touchdowns in their respective careers. Clark has attempted 36 of those passes in the last two seasons.

Running back Evan Royster pointed out earlier in the week that the coaches have installed more shotgun and have been running a style similar to that of West Virginia.

That’s what can be accomplished when the runner can pass and the passer can run.

Now everyone is just waiting to finally see it.