Sean Clifford, Penn State Football News: Draft Scout Player News

11/26/22 - QB Sean Clifford, rSr/2023, Penn State

Sean Clifford threw four touchdown passes and No. 11 Penn State's defense tightened up late to beat Michigan State 35-16 in the regular-season finale on Saturday. Tight end Theo Johnson caught two touchdown passes, Tyler Warren and running back Nick Singleton each caught one, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith threw a touchdown pass and caught another for the Nittany Lions (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten, No. 11 CFP). Penn State evened the all-time series with the Spartans at 18-18-1, but needed a fourth-quarter push to do so. The Spartans (5-7, 3-6) were down a handful of players due to injuries and suspensions; seven of those suspended in the melee after the Michigan game on Oct. 29 were charged Wednesday. Penn State held Michigan State to just eight rushing yards and were up 14-3 at halftime. But the Spartans cut Penn State's lead to 21-16 with 10:52 to play after quarterback Payton Thorne led back-to-back 10-and 11-play touchdown drives in the third and fourth quarters.

Thorne threw to Maliq Carr who made a one-handed catch for a nine-yard score late in the third. The Spartans quarterback kept the ball himself for a two-yard touchdown on their next possession, though his two-point conversion pass failed. But Penn State's offense took control from there. Clifford, a four-year starter in his sixth collegiate season, led an 11-play drive of his own to ice the game on senior day. He found Singleton in the flats and the rookie running back skipped through the Spartan defense for a 12-yard score. He also threw a 35-yard dart to Lambert-Smith between defenders with 3:56 to play as a finale. The first quarter featured early miscues from both teams. The Spartans turned the ball over on their opening drive when linebacker Tyler Elsdon recovered a backward pass. Four plays later, Penn State kicker Jake Pinegar pushed a 37-yard field goal try wide right. - Penn State/AP College Football

rSr/2023