Penn State Football: 3 players to watch against Ohio State

Penn State players pose for a group photo with the Governor's Victory Bell trophy after defeating Minnesota, 45-17, in a White Out game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College.Hes Dr 102222 Whiteout
Penn State players pose for a group photo with the Governor's Victory Bell trophy after defeating Minnesota, 45-17, in a White Out game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College.Hes Dr 102222 Whiteout /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 01: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions signals to teammates before a play against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 01: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions signals to teammates before a play against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

QB Sean Clifford

Even if the defense does the best it can, Ohio State will still be able to put up some points, it’s just that good.

Penn State football will have to score to win this game, and the majority of that burden falls on quarterback Sean Clifford.

Clifford did not play bad against the Buckeyes last year. He completed 67% of his passes for 361 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Clifford was also sacked and fumbled, which was returned for a touchdown. Obviously, a play like that has a lot to do with the offensive line, but it still can’t happen.

Clifford looked the best he’s looked all year last week against Minnesota. He went 23-31 for 295 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. Clifford seems to be getting hot at the right time.

The big thing for Clifford in this game will be to not turn the ball over. Ohio State’s offense is good enough the way it is, they don’t need short fields. Additionally, Penn State needs to possess the ball for as long as possible.

It will be on Clifford to consistently move the chains both his with arm and legs and protect the ball. If he plays like he did against Minnesota, sans the interception, Penn State football will have a chance to pull off the win.