The 7 most important plays that have defined the James Franklin era

5. Sean Clifford's touchdown pass to KeAndre Lambert Smith (2023 Rose Bowl)

Penn State was matched up against Utah in the 2023 Rose Bowl. With Penn State up 21-14 at the start of the 4th quarter, the Nittany Lions were facing a 3rd down deep in their own territory. Utah had a chance to force a punt and turn the tide, but Sean Clifford and KeAndre Lambert Smith had other plans. The two connected for an 88-yard touchdown pass, the longest pass in Rose Bowl history. It was the knockout blow for the Nittany Lions and gave James Franklin a win in "The Granddaddy of Them All."