Sean Clifford Making it Happen for the Nittany Lions

Sean Clifford is proving the critics wrong leading Penn State to a 3-0 start so far in 2021. He completed 28 of 32 passes for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns. This was arguably Clifford’s best performance of his career as a Nittany Lion. It came at the exact right time, a whiteout against a ranked SEC opponent that put Penn State at number six in the latest AP rankings.

Clifford was tested right away this season on the road against Wisconsin where he was able to keep his team in the game and let his explosive defense close it out. Jahan Dotson has been the main playmaker for this offense. His catch radius and the ability for run after catch opportunities have helped Clifford find easy completions. Even Keandre Lambert-Smith and Parker Washington have seemed to develop some type of chemistry with Clifford so far. Tight ends Brendon Strange and Tyler Warren both showed us again on Saturday night that Penn State deserves a mention in the TEU category. The protection that the Nittany Lions offensive line has given Clifford especially in their last game allows for him to be the best version of Sean Clifford. Unlike last year where he was asked way too many times to make plays with his feet. 

Penn State will host Villanova this Saturday followed by a home stripe-out against Indiana, an away game in Iowa, and another home game against Illinois before they head to Columbus on Halloween weekend. If James Franklin’s team can stay undefeated heading into their matchup against Ohio State that could potentially win them the Big Ten East, this team will be in the conversation all year for a playoff berth. It is now in the hands of Sean Clifford to keep this offense rolling, but if he can do that he deserves to be recognized. He has now beaten two top 25 teams and good defenses at that. Keep in mind he currently sits at tenth in the Heisman rankings. The eyes right now while Penn State has been potentially the hottest team in the country have been on Dotson and Franklin, let’s not forget what Clifford is doing in his last season. Do not be shocked to see him taken in the late rounds of next year's draft if he can continue to control this offense as he has.

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-By: Sam Kirk