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Penn State vs. Purdue: Who has the better Quarterback?

By Andrew Adair

Nov 6, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) and head coach James Franklin react after a successful fourth quarter field goal against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) and head coach James Franklin react after a successful fourth quarter field goal against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The anticipation is killing everyone. The Penn State Football season kicks off on September 1st against a Purdue Boilermaker team looking to compete in the Big Ten West this season.

Penn State Football opens its season against a Purdue program that is on the rise. Both programs have experienced quarterbacks entering their sixth and final college season. One was a highly rated four-star recruit, while the other was a walk-on that has turned into Purdues’ most accurate quarterback ever.

So who has the advantage at Quarterback?

Big Ten
Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O’Connell (Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports) /

Aidan O’Connell

Aidan O’Connell did not retake his starting quarterback role until the fourth game. What did O’Connell do during his nine games as the starter? He threw for over 370 yards six times and over 500 yards twice.

O’Connell was instrumental in the upsets of #2 Iowa and #3 Michigan State. In the two upsets, O’Connell threw for over 900 yards. The dude can sling it, plain and simple.

He is also deadly accurate. The Purdue quarterback beat future Hall of Famer Drew Brees’ completion percentage record with a 71.7% completion rate. Purdue Head Coach Jeff Brohm features a quarterback-friendly system that O’Connell has been able to thrive in.

O’Connell is not without his faults. He will turn the ball over more than your elite quarterbacks. O’Connell threw 11 interceptions last season. He also is not a mobile quarterback and is susceptible to taking the sack.

Aidan O’Connell is a very good college quarterback that will challenge a very inexperienced and new defense featured by Penn State.

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