Penn State Football grades: Sean Clifford powers in over Michigan State

STATE COLLEGE, PA - DECEMBER 12: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with teammates after throwing a pass for a touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Tre’Von Morgan (Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports) /

Lamont Wade

Grade: D

Senior safety Lamont Wade was great during his junior campaign in 2019 and looked as if he was finally acclimating to the change from corner to safety.

In 2020, it seems Wade has regressed and all the warts in his game were on display Saturday in the first half.

Penn State Football fell down early into a 21-10 half time deficit due largely in part to a leaky secondary, and Wade was the main culprit.

Michigan State quarterback redshirt freshman Payton Thorne made his first collegiate start Saturday against Penn State and looked way to comfortable in the pocket, dicing up the secondary to the tune of three first half passing touchdowns.

Thorne found wide receiver Tre’Von Morgan for a 26 yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to put the Spartans up 14-10. Morgan ran a post route and the cornerback had outside leverage and it looked as if Wade never saw it develop, caught standing idle and flat footed in coverage a the ball went over his head for a touchdown.

Wade has struggled all season and has been a big part of why the Penn State defense has struggled at times this season.

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