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Penn State Football: 4 players who will define the second half of the season

By Alec Whitaker

Sep 10, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lion players sing their alma mater following the competition of the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio 46-10. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lion players sing their alma mater following the competition of the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio 46-10. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on after a play against the Central Michigan Chippewas during the first half at Beaver Stadium on September 24, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on after a play against the Central Michigan Chippewas during the first half at Beaver Stadium on September 24, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

1. QB Sean Clifford

This one is a no-brainer, as long as Sean Clifford is the starting quarterback, he is the most important player on this team.

Clifford had played well up until the Northwestern game. Before that game, he was completing 64% of his passes with 12 total touchdowns and just one turnover. He was also in command of the offense, making the necessary checks, especially against Auburn.

Rain played a factor in Clifford’s performance last Saturday, but going 10-20 for 140 yards, one touchdown and one interception is not going to get it done most days.

Clifford is struggling on the deep ball as well. He hit Parker Washington for 43 yards against Northwestern, but outside of that, a lot of Penn State’s big passing plays this season have been because of yards after the catch. The vertical threat is currently missing from the offense.

Penn State will need more explosive plays in the pass game if it expects to compete against the likes of Michigan and Ohio State this season. The Nittany Lions also haven’t really put an emphasis on trying to force the ball down field so far this season. It’s unclear if they’re just hiding those plays for bigger games or they just don’t have confidence in those passes being completed.

Clifford’s experience heading into the matchup at the Big House will be invaluable, but he needs to perform as well.

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