Penn State Football: Clifford, Levis shine in spring game
In the first extended look at Penn State football QBs Sean Clifford and Will Levis, the two signal callers played intelligently in the Blue-White game.
With Tommy Stevens out due to injury, Penn State football’s quarterback competition only furthered in complexity in the annual 2019 Blue-White Spring Game Saturday. Sean Clifford started with the No. 1 offense, led some nice scoring drives, avoided turnovers, threw some dimes and showed off his under-publicized scrambling ability in helping the Blue Team to a, 24-7 win.
Clifford backed up his performance with a quality showing in the box score, throwing for 118 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions on 11-of-19 pass attempts. Clifford’s day was highlighted by a, drop-in, 35-yard dime to tight end Nick Bowers. Clifford put perfect touch on the pass over the linebackers and under the defensive backs to find Bowers in the soft spot of the defense.
Beyond that throw, he took what the defense gave him, including the touchdown pass to Noah Cain in the flat. He didn’t do too much, which is what good QBs do (Video Courtesy of Big Ten Network).
He also added a team-high 31 yards on six carries, a major step forward for him in the QB battle. In the competition, a lot of fans and analysts look at Clifford as the pure pocket passer with a big arm. Not to say that Tommy Stevens doesn’t have those traits, but he’s certainly more of the athletic, dual-threat QB in the battle.
Clifford’s day through the air reconfirmed his ability as a passer. His day on the ground bumped him up another peg in competing for the starting job.
The dark horse of the QB competition, Will Levis proved me right as a player to watch in the spring game. The redshirt freshman passer completed 4-of-7 passes for 86 yards and one touchdown against zero interceptions in Team Blue’s win.
His star-studded spring practice was far from a fluke. Levis appears to be on the rise and will give Penn State football another QB in the battle. Just like Clifford’s big completion, Levis had a signature throw. He hit walk-on receiver Dan Chisena on a go route outside the numbers for a 59-yard TD. It made it even more special, as Chisena was given a scholarship right after the play.
light. Related Story. Penn State Football: Blue defeats White in annual Blue-White Game
For Penn State, it’s been an embarrassment of riches in the quarterback room for much of the last three seasons. The performances from Clifford and Levis add to that room’s impressive depth.