Penn State football: 5 Players that are key to a victory vs. Purdue

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 14: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is sacked against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on September 14, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

1. Sean Clifford, QB

How can a team win without their starting quarterback playing well? Sean Clifford had all eyes on him last week as the matchup against Maryland was his first game as a starter on the road. Also, it was the first Big Ten action of collegiate career.

Some were slightly nervous about how he would show up as Clifford proved to be a bit shaky at times when the pressure it on. He never folded against Maryland, though. From the first play on offense last week, Clifford was red-hot as he scored his first rushing touchdown.

From then on, Clifford just flat-out dominated. After his performance, he was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. He didn’t win that feat alone though. Minnesota’s quarterback Tanner Morgan also won the weekly award alongside Clifford. Ironically enough, Morgan played Purdue last week. We’ll see if Clifford can make it two weeks in a row for the award.

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