TAMPA, Fla. — Anthony Morelli's New Year's resolution sounds simple — beat No. 17 Tennessee at the Outback Bowl.

"Just win this game, just like everyone else on this team," the Penn State quarterback said Friday. "We want to end this season on a good note."

It's been a trying 2006 for Morelli. The rocket-armed junior has taken heat from some fickle fans for a Nittany Lion offense that has struggled mightily at times.

There have been red-zone blunders, penalties and an inconsistent offensive line. Opposing defenses have clamped down on the Nittany Lions' speedy young receivers, who haven't been able to break out for many big plays.

Morelli has looked out of sync at the controls at times, though he has thrown for 2,227 yards and 10 touchdowns along with eight interceptions for Penn State (8-4).

"I think he needs to have control of his game," coach Joe Paterno said. "He had only 30 snaps going into this year and he got thrown into some tough situations."

Paterno is quick to point out that his squad's four losses have come against tough opponents — No. 1 Ohio State, No. 3 Michigan, No. 6 Wisconsin and No. 11 Notre Dame. Against the Wolverines, Morelli played well before getting knocked out in the second half after a sack.

The heat finally got to Morelli publicly earlier this month, when the normally reserved quarterback went on a mini-tirade against critics at bowl media day.

The outburst turned out to be a welcome relief.

"It was big time. A chance to let people know where I'm coming from," Morelli said.

He says his focus on getting better for the Volunteers, though there was a slightly different Morelli on display Thursday. He laughed, joked with team officials and looked relaxed before a luncheon at a downtown hotel.

Teammates have noticed a difference.

"It shows that he has real strong character. He's emotional, fiery and motivated," linebacker and team captain Paul Posluszny said. "After that happened, he seemed relieved, focused and ready to get back on the playing field."

So Penn State has been trying to work out kinks in its offense during the six-week layoff between the season-finale on Nov. 18 against Michigan State and the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.

"He's not going to go out there against a club as good as Tennessee ... and be a great player all of a sudden," Paterno said. "I think just to maintain his poise and be aware of what's happening will make him a better football player."