Penn State Football: Grading Nittany Lions vs. Michigan State

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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 26: Quarterback Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks to pass the ball against defensive end Jacub Panasiuk #96 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Penn State defeated Michigan State 28-7. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

A-. . . . QUARTERBACKS

Sean Clifford looked more confident than he has all season during the first half of Saturday’s game. He started the game 4/4 passing for 43 yards and a touchdown. That touchdown pass, a 16-yarder to Pat Freiermuth, was one of Clifford’s best throws all season.

Feathery touch to Freiermuth from Sean Clifford!@PennStateFball jumps out to an early lead: pic.twitter.com/qwZ61A6Prc
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 26, 2019

I have no idea how Clifford made that throw, and I don’t think Michigan State’s secondary has any idea either. On Penn State’s third offensive drive of the game, Clifford completed four of his seven passes for 43 yards and touchdown. The touchdown was once again to Pat Freiermuth, this time for 19 yards.

In addition, Sean Clifford had a run for 14 yards on the drive. It’s also possible that Penn State could have had a 61-yard touchdown on this drive, but the deep pass was dropped by Dan Chisena, who was wide open after a Michigan State defender slipped.

Sean Clifford ended the game 18/32 with 189 passing yards and four passing touchdowns. His last two touchdowns were a 27-yard pass to K.J Hamler, and a six-yard pass to Pat Freiermuth.

Clifford did have a bad interception on a deep pass that he never should have thrown, but it was still an overall great game for him. It’s also the fourth time he’s scored four touchdowns in the last five games.

Sean Clifford now has 20 passing touchdowns on the season, which is on pace to shatter Trace McSorley’s Penn State single-season record of 29.

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