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Sean Clifford avenged his biggest mistake Thursday night with one masterful, final drive. It may have saved Penn State's conference title hopes. The sixth-year quarterback hooked up with Keyvone Lee on a 10-yard touchdown pass with 57 seconds left, rallying the Nittany Lions to a 35-31 victory in their season opener at Purdue. "It was very impressive," coach James Franklin said when asked about the eight-play, 80-yard drive. "We work on the 2-minute drill all the time and it worked out for us right there. You can learn a lot in games like this and I'd rather learn them with a win." It was a rollercoaster night as Clifford opened his sixth college season. He narrowly escaped a right leg injury in the first half then dealt with cramps in the second half, forcing him to miss a series in the third quarter.

He appeared to put the Nittany Lions in control by hooking up with Brenton Strange, who broke two tackles on his way to a 67-yard score with 2 seconds left in the first half. That gave the Nittany Lions a 21-10 lead. He didn't complete a pass after returning in the third quarter and then almost gave the game away when he overthrew Mitchell Tinsley and Chris Jefferson picked off the errant pass and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown to give the Boilermakers a 31-28 lead midway through the fourth quarter. And then, he came through in the clutch to give Penn State its 10th straight win in the series. Clifford finished 20 of 37 with 282 yards and four scores It sure wasn't easy in front of a near-capacity crowd and a game that featured seven lead changes. "It was a gutsy win," Franklin said. "We showed a lot of character. We've got to make more plays on offense, obviously." Penn State's defense also had to contend with a little bit of everything. King Doerue ran for two scores, Aidan O'Connell threw for 356 yards and another score and he celebrated his 24th birthday by connecting with childhood friend Charlie Jones 12 times for 153 yards and a 17-yard TD pass. - Penn State/AP College Football

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2023

QB Sean Clifford, Penn State
News Source: Penn State/AP College Football
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09/01/22 - *Joey Porter Jr., Jr/2023, Penn State, 6-3, 198 (DS#3 CB) + More +

ESPN TOP 100 PRESEASON 2022 CFB PLAYERS (Selected Aug. 17): No. 75. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State, Junior. Notable 2021 stats: 51 tackles (40 solo), 1 INT. Last year's ranking: NR. Porter recorded 51 tackles (40 solo) with one forced fumble and one interception on his way to earning third team All-Big Ten recognition honors for Penn State. He started 13 games for the Nittany Lions as a sophomore. His career high of nine tackles came during a nine-overtime loss to Illinois. - ESPN.com

(DS#3 CB) Jr/2023

CB *Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
News Source: ESPN.com
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08/29/22 - Sean Clifford, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-2, 218 (DS#20 QB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON MANNING AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Sean Clifford, Sr., Penn State,...Also represented on Davey O'Brien Award, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year and Wuerffel Trophy watch lists...Has played in 38 career games, making 33 starts...Is one of three Penn State players to reach 8,000 yards of total offense and one of three PSU quarterbacks to eclipse 7,500 career passing yards...Sits as the current all-time leader at Penn State in completion percentage (.603). - Penn State Football

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2023

QB Sean Clifford, Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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08/29/22 - Sean Clifford, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-2, 218 (DS#20 QB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON WUERFFEL TROPHY (COMMUNITY SERVICE) WATCHLIST: Sean Clifford, Penn State, Sr., QB,...Clifford has played in 38 career games, making 33 starts...Is one of three Penn State players to reach 8,000 yards of total offense and one of three PSU quarterbacks to eclipse 7,500 career passing yards...Sits as the current all-time leader at Penn State in completion percentage (.603)...Ranks second at PSU in career passing touchdowns (62), third in passing yardage (7,839), completions (607) and passing efficiency (141.2), fourth in attempts (1,006), tied for seventh in yards per passing attempt (7.8), eighth in lowest interception percentage (2.49), and 10th in touchdown pass percentage (6.16) and wins as a starting quarterback (21). - Penn State Football

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2023

QB Sean Clifford, Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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08/29/22 - Julian Fleming, rSr/2025, Penn State, 6-2, 208 (DS#82 WR) + More +

When coach Ryan Day introduced Julian Fleming at a recent fundraising dinner for one of the NIL collectives supporting Ohio State, he had a story to tell about the junior wide receiver's resolve. "I'm probably embarrassing him a little bit," Day began. In an intrasquad scrimmage held last week, Fleming's shoulder popped out, Day said. But instead of sidelining him for the rest of the practice, Fleming popped it back in himself and went on to catch two touchdowns. As he recounted the episode to the crowd of attendees, Day added that he is expecting "big things" from Fleming when the Buckeyes begin their season Sept. 3 with a top-five matchup against Notre Dame.

Fleming, who has positioned himself for a role as a potential starter following the departures of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, felt his response in the scrimmage left him feeling more assured about his improvement over this offseason. "It definitely boosted my confidence a lot," Fleming said. "It's a painful thing, but sometimes pain is just in your mind. You've got to constantly work through little bumps and tweaks. Painful stuff and being injured is very different. "The way I took it was that it was another little punch along the way, and I had to do everything I could to help my team." - Columbus Dispatch

(DS#82 WR) rSr/2025

WR Julian Fleming, Penn State
News Source: Columbus Dispatch
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08/28/22 - Sean Clifford, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-2, 218 (DS#20 QB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD WATCH LIST: Sean Clifford, Penn State,...Ranks second at PSU in career passing touchdowns (62), third in passing yardage (7,839), completions (607) and passing efficiency (141.2), fourth in attempts (1,006), tied for seventh in yards per passing attempt (7.8), eighth in lowest interception percentage (2.49), and 10th in touchdown pass percentage (6.16) and wins as a starting quarterback (21)...Is third in school history in 300-yard passing games (7) and 200-yard games (19)...Among Penn State quarterbacks, is third all-time at PSU in rushing yardage (897) and tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns (10). - Penn State Football

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2023

QB Sean Clifford, Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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08/22/22 - Johnny Dixon, rSr/2024, Penn State, 5-11, 188 (DS#27 CB) + More +

Penn State's transfer portal recruiting prior to the 2021 season included multiple key additions to its roster. The Nittany Lions and head coach James Franklin added Arnold Ebiketie - who would lead the team in sacks and go in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft - and Derrick Tangelo along the defensive line as starters. They added Eric Wilson, who picked up plenty of snaps at guard on offense, and John Lovett, who had a role in the run game. Not to mention A.J. Lytton, who was a key contributor on special teams. All five of those players came in as part of a six-man transfer class and all five are no longer with the program. The first four either entered the draft or exhausted their eligibility, while Lytton transferred out of Penn State.

The sixth member of the class is the lone player still with the Nittany Lions and has become one of the most frequently mentioned names out of fall camp as a breakout player - Johnny Dixon. Dixon joined the team after transferring out of South Carolina and made minimal impact, recording 10 tackles and two passes defended. Heading into his second year with the program, a flip has switched for Dixon, starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr said. "He's a different dude from when he came in to now," Porter Jr. said. "I feel like he really changed his attitude and his approach to the game. He's just been making plays all camp. It's a high ceiling for Johnny and it's gonna be a good year for him." - Centre Times

(DS#27 CB) rSr/2024

CB Johnny Dixon, Penn State
News Source: Centre Times
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08/22/22 - Sean Clifford, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-2, 218 (DS#20 QB) + More +

Penn State named six captains for the 2022 football season Thursday, making history with two of the choices. Redshirt senior quarterback Sean Clifford and linebacker Jonathan Sutherland became the first four-time captains in program history. The addition of an extra year of eligibility for players on the roster during the 2020 pandemic season made the record more reachable, of course. Senior safety Ji'Ayir Brown, senior defensive tackle PJ Mustipher, redshirt junior offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and redshirt senior long snapper Chris Stoll were also named captain. Clifford, a Cincinnati native, has made 33 starts under center and is third in program history in career passing yards with 7,839. Sutherland, a native of Ottawa, has appeared in 45 career games at linebacker and safety. He had 24 tackles and an interception last season. - Tribune Review

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2023

QB Sean Clifford, Penn State
News Source: Tribune Review
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08/22/22 - Adisa Isaac, rSr/2024, Penn State, 6-4, 247 (DS#5 DE) + More +

Penn State is known for its gritty defensive line play and ability to reach the quarterback on passing plays. But with the grittiness comes injuries. Two key factors to Penn State's defensive line - defensive end Adisa Isaac and defensive lineman PJ Mustipher - both fell to season-ending injuries in 2021. Isaac, a redshirt junior, injured his Achilles prior to Penn State's opener and Mustipher suffered a leg injury in the first drive of the team's 23-20 loss to Iowa on Oct. 9 last year. Isaac, a 6-4, 248-pound edge rusher, played in 14 career games for the Nittany Lions - totaling 27 tackles (nine solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble. Mustipher played in 36 games, making 107 tackles (49 solo), 10 for loss with three sacks, a fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.

Defensive line coach John Scott Jr. is excited to see what the duo can do, and looks to continue pushing them to be prepared to get back onto the field. "I just think any time you come back from a major injury one of the most important things that I can do as a coach is to be there as an encourager," Scott Jr. said during Penn State Media Day on Aug. 6. "Some days, coming back from injuries you can have a rough day or whatnot, but we just have to be there and encourage them and be their support." Recovery was tough to navigate for Isaac. The redshirt junior's Achilles tendon was torn and rehab usually takes about a year. While he continued to face new challenges, he wanted to keep an optimistic attitude throughout the whole season, as he watched his team compete without him. "It was a new journey for me," Isaac said. "I've never been hurt this severe in my life, so it was just something new that I had to take on. Had to keep a positive mindset from the start to the finish, and that's what I'm still doing. I tried not to switch anything up because I feel like it's working. I'm improving every day." - Centre Times

(DS#5 DE) rSr/2024

DE Adisa Isaac, Penn State
News Source: Centre Times
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08/20/22 - Nicholas Singleton, Sr/2026, Penn State, 6-0, 220 (DS#1 RB) + More +

FRESHMEN WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS TO WATCH IN 2022: NICK SINGLETON, RB, Penn State,...A five-star speedster and the Gatorade National Player of the Year for 2021 grew up a Penn State fan and could be the answer to a sluggish run game. It could help mightily that he enrolled early and took part in spring practice, too. Becoming a more complete player is a big part of his challenge. "He's a very gifted runner," offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said. "I think we have a really good backfield and Nick is a special talent. But he has still got to progress in protections and just the fundamental tailback plays." - AP College Football

(DS#1 RB) Sr/2026

RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
News Source: AP College Football
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08/18/22 - JiAyir Brown, rSr/2023, Penn State, 5-11, 203 (DS#4 SS) + More +

JiAyir Brown has established himself as the best player on Penn State's defense and one of the most impactful on the roster. He's elite in coverage, where he's one of the best in the country at tracking the ball in the air and hauling in interceptions. He has the size and athleticism to stay with opponents in man coverage on top of playing the ball so well when it's up for grabs. Brown can defend the run too, stepping into the box and stopping running backs in their tracks with his strength and tackling ability.

The senior safety can play all over the defensive backfield but will be the undisputed leader in the backend at safety. He's not just the best safety on the roster by a wide margin - he might also be the best safety in the country. Even though Brown is the consensus choice here, there are still plenty of other talented players on defense for Penn State that could have a major impact. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr., linebacker Curtis Jacobs, defensive end Adisa Isaac and defensive tackle PJ Mustipher will help lead what could be one of the best defenses in the country. - Centre Times

(DS#4 SS) rSr/2023

SS JiAyir Brown, Penn State
News Source: Centre Times
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08/17/22 - Chris Stoll, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-2, 255 (DS#4 LS) + More +

2022 PRESEASON ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE: Chris Stoll, Penn State University,...Penn State's primary long snapper for 35 career games...Earned a scholarship in the summer of 2020...Is a three-time Dean's List selection...Is in his third year as President of Penn State's Uplifting Athletes, a chapter that has raised nearly 1.4 million dollars for kidney cancer treatment and research since the first Penn State Lift for Life was held in 2003...He is just the second, three-time president in program history, joining Brett Brackett (2008-10)...Lift for Life is organized and run by Uplifting Athletes, a non-profit organization that inspires the rare disease community with hope through the power of sport. - Penn State Football

(DS#4 LS) rSr/2023

LS Chris Stoll, Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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08/16/22 - PJ Mustipher, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-4, 320 (DS#28 DT) + More +

2022 PRESEASON ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD WATCHLIST: PJ Mustipher, Penn State, S-Sr DT,...Mustipher is also a member of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy watch lists...Has appeared in 40 career games at Penn State, making 16 starts...Named second-team All-Big Ten by the coaches and honorable mention by the media in 2021...Made 21 tackles (16 solo) to go with three tackles for loss and a sack in six games in 2021 before suffering a season-ending injury vs. Iowa. - Penn State Football

(DS#28 DT) rSr/2023

DT PJ Mustipher, Penn State
News Source: Penn State Football
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08/15/22 - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, rJr/2024, Penn State, 6-6, 312 (DS#3 OT) + More +

The spotlight has been on Penn State's offensive line since James Franklin arrived before the 2014 season. It remains there because the unit has been a problem area for long stretches. The play of the offensive line was a major issue last season, and Penn State will not go very far in the Big Ten this year if the group doesn't show marked improvement. Phil Trautwein, in his third season with the Nittany Lions, is the man charged with getting more (much more) out of the offensive line, and, Wednesday night, he offered thoughts on the line's progress early in camp.

Olu Fashanu is Penn State's new left tackle, and Trautwein believes he is the right man for the job. Fashanu takes over for Rasheed Walker at left tackle, and Fashanu's 2021 audition for the job, in the Outback Bowl loss to Arkansas, was solid. "I think those 15 practices were really key in the bowl game (prep) and (Fashanu) getting that (left tackle) spot since Rasheed wasn't in and him just kinda taking over and it built confidence," Trautwein said. "He's doing a heck of a job. Him and Caedan (Wallace) are probably two of the best tackles that I've coached." - Tribune Review

(DS#3 OT) rJr/2024

OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
News Source: Tribune Review
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08/15/22 - Sean Clifford, rSr/2023, Penn State, 6-2, 218 (DS#20 QB) + More +

Some things are different - for the first time in his career, Sean Clifford has the same offensive coordinator for the second season in a row. Mike Yurcich steps into his second year at the helm of the offense. Yurcich's offense is based on short passes to open up the deep pass. While Clifford's yards per attempt dropped from 7.5 to 7.3 under Yurcich from former offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, Penn State ranked 25th in total passing yards (3,923). Yurcich believes that with more repetitions and a better feel for the system, Clifford will continue to grow as a quarterback and leader. He lauded Clifford's preparation during the offseason, calling it "phenomenal," and he oversaw the growth of his veteran quarterback from spring practices to fall camp. "When we have a new cycle, you're just starting back over again from the base system of the offense - re-teaching it," Yurcich said. "So, when you get several attempts at that, the more smooth it's going to go and he's eager to move on to more stuff early and maybe the offense isn't quite ready for all of the install that he's ready for. So, it makes it easier. Just the language and communication and all of that is an easier flow and more familiarity with the system."

Part of Clifford's development under Yurcich has been to key in on spreading the wealth. Yurcich wants the quarterback to take the pressure off of his shoulders and not force plays. That's been an area where they've looked to improve in year six with having continuity with receivers like Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, along with tight ends Brenton Strange, Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren. "I think with his experience, he understands that from a level where some fourth-year guys don't," Yurcich said. "He understands the scrutiny, the pressure that the position holds and just making sure that I do a good job with him. (It's) making sure that at times we have to take a deep breath, we have to wash it and move on to the next play and have that 1-0 mentality that we have as a program and that we have at the quarterback position." - Centre Times

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2023

QB Sean Clifford, Penn State
News Source: Centre Times
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