John Beale, Post-Gazette Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli is the key to Penn State's success this season. Click photo for larger image. More Coverage: Penn State Notebook: Lack of respect might help Lions

CHICAGO -- Anthony Morelli's confidence is as high as the tallest skyscraper in the Windy City.

He is poised for a huge senior season.

Morelli's teammates are applying pressure, too.

"He's got to have a gigantic year for us, no doubt," linebacker Dan Connor said yesterday at Big Ten media days. "He needs to step up and be the leader of the offense. I think he will do that."

Morelli, a 6-foot-4, 232-pounder from Penn Hills High School, is embarking on his second season as the Nittany Lions' quarterback.

He was 2-2 in his first four starts a year ago, losing to Notre Dame and Ohio State on the road, but rebounded to lead Penn State to wins in seven of its final nine games. That included a solid effort in the Outback Bowl, where he completed 14 of 25 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown in a 20-10 victory against traditional Southeastern Conference power Tennessee.

"Yeah, absolutely, the Outback Bowl was a defining moment for me," Morelli said. "But, to be honest, things really started clicking for me toward the middle of last season.

"Opposing defenses finally started slowing down for me. And I started making better decisions. I felt very positive with my play toward the end of the season.

"I am expecting big things from myself this year, and I am expecting big things from the offense."

Morelli will be the first to admit he struggled at times in his first year as a starter, even though he managed to set Penn State season records for pass completions (208) and attempts (386).

His 2,424 passing yards were the third-highest total in school history. He threw 11 touchdown passes and eight interceptions, five of which came in Penn State's four losses.

But Morelli also had a career-high 281 yards and two touchdowns in a road win at Minnesota to go along with three touchdown passes in his first start against Akron.

Without question, the big kid with the big arm will play a big role in determining whether Penn State is a national championship contender this season or a pretender.

He also could end up being one of the Nittany Lions' captains.

"I'm expecting a lot from Morelli, especially leadership," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said.

Kirk Herbstreit, the former Ohio State quarterback and ESPN commentator, also has high expectations for Morelli.

"I love him," he said. "I expect Morelli to be one of the best players in the Big Ten. Now when I say that, that's a strong statement. But looking at what's around him, it's almost like people have forgotten about his receiving corps."

Herbstreit said Morelli had a tough act to follow in succeeding Michael Robinson. The electrifying Robinson was one of the most-talented quarterbacks in Penn State history.

"It's not a shock to me that Morelli didn't have a great year last season," Herbstreit said. "The expectations were humongous. It took him a while to get his feet under him and make people forget about Robinson.

"But, in the end, Morelli was very strong. The way he played against Tennessee in the bowl game, I'm predicting right now, he's got his chest puffed out, he's more authoritative in meetings, and he's telling guys what to do and when to do it.

"Morelli's the man now. And I think that will settle him down some. I expect him to have a huge year. And I expect Penn State to have a huge year."

Morelli can't wait until the start of practice Monday.

"I'm ready to go," he said. "I'm ready to get all of this non-football stuff out of the way and get to work. As the leader of this offense, I need to make sure we start out strong and stay that way."