Nittany Lions focus on taming Trojans' Darnold

Penn State linebacker Brandon Bell says facing the Trojans' quarterback "will definitely be a test." (Sam Riche / Tribune New Service)The only thing that seems to draw a more effusive response from Penn State players than another cloudless, mid-70s winter day in Los Angeles is USC quarterback Sam Darnold.

While Penn State survived the Big Ten Conference’s gantlet to advance to Monday’s Rose Bowl Game, many of their defenders don’t think they’ve faced a quarterback quite like the redshirt freshman whose ability to throw and run transformed USC’s season.

The Nittany Lions use words like “dynamic” and “elusive” to describe Darnold. They note his quick release and how his accuracy helped change…