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Penn State football QB Sean Clifford earns first weekly award

By Justin Grasso

STATE COLLEGE, PA - AUGUST 31: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions prepares to leave the field after the game against the Idaho Vandals at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - AUGUST 31: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions prepares to leave the field after the game against the Idaho Vandals at Beaver Stadium on August 31, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Penn State football quarterback Sean Clifford has had quite the week against Maryland.

It seems that the bye week served Penn State football well. It especially served their starting quarterback, Sean Clifford well as he’s being recognized for one of his first weekly awards since being named the starter of the Nittany Lions midway through August.

Heading into the season, Clifford has had a long list of unchecked boxes, considering that he’s never started in the NCAA, and threw under ten passes in his career until this season kicked off.

During the first three weeks, Clifford slightly struggled at times, but for the most part, he was at least serviceable for the Penn State offense.

This past Friday became another major test for Clifford, though. As he was set to play on the road as a starter for the first time, nobody really knew what to expect.

The Lions were clearly the better team on paper, but Clifford was viewed as the difference-maker. It was simple — everybody thought that if Clifford played well, then Penn State would win.

If Clifford bad, then the loss would most likely get pinned on him. Well, Clifford played masterfully, and now he is going to be rewarded for that. After leaving the game midway through the third quarter leading Maryland 45-0, Clifford was all smiles.

He deserved to be excited as he played in arguably his best game to date on the road against the Terps. Now, his accomplishments are being acknowledged as Clifford was named the Big Ten’s Co-Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career as a starter.

Sean Clifford’s newest accolade

When Clifford left the game on Friday night, he only had five incomplete passes off of 31 total attempts. One of which, happened to be his first career interception, but that didn’t really matter in the end. All in all, Clifford threw for his season-high of 398 yards, and three touchdowns.

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But his game wasn’t just useful in the air. Clifford worked the ground game as well. With seven total carries, Clifford led the entire Penn State backfield in rushing with 54 yards and a score, which came on the first offensive play of the game for the Lions. It may not be like this every week for Clifford, but seeing him produce an excellent game as he did on Friday is very promising for the future of the quarterback position in Happy Valley.

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