Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1486024
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 11 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M ford's starts against the Buckeyes. His numbers in those eight games — 219.3 yards per game, a 59.8 percent comple- tion rate, 11 touchdowns, 5 interceptions — aren't all that far removed from his career averages, but Penn State didn't win its share, and quarterbacks typically shoulder a disproportionate share of the blame when that happens. A week after this year's 41-17 loss to Michigan, a game in which Clifford completed 7 of 19 passing attempts for 120 yards, some fans booed him dur- ing the introductions that played on the Beaver Stadium video boards ahead of the White Out clash with Minnesota. Many of those fans had hoped to see true freshman Drew Allar take over as starter, but Franklin stuck with the vet- eran and was rewarded with a 45-17 win in which Clifford threw for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns and was later named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. Clifford has shrugged off the criti- cism, accepting it as part of the job, but it has not gone unnoticed by his team- mates. "We were just talking about this in the locker room with some of the other guys," Johnson said after the Maryland game. "We think that he gets a lot of crap and hate. Sean has got every record you can have as a quarterback, and he's done a lot of great things. I think that people are going to look back at his time here at Penn State and they're going to say that he was the best one to do it. I think he's done a lot of great things for us. He's a winner. He's a tough guy and a great leader. "So yeah, that's my quarterback. I'm happy that he's my quarterback. It's go- ing to be sad to see him leave, but I think that he's done a lot of great things for me and has really helped me in my de- velopment as a player through the last two years." In addition to being the Lions' career leader in passing yardage, Clifford also tops their record book in touchdown passes (84), passing attempts (1,335) and completions (817). As he gets set to play his final game for Penn State, he's within reach of the school record for all-purpose yards. Clifford had 11,456 yards against Michi- gan State, leaving him 140 short of Mc- Sorley's school record of 11,596 yards. A few days after the Ohio State game, in which Clifford had 3 interceptions to go with his 3 touchdown passes, Frank- lin acknowledged that the four-time team captain's career has been full of ups and downs. Franklin noted that he's had a penchant for making spectacular plays but added that "there are four to six plays [in some games] that we've got to get rid of." And yet, Penn State has gone 31-14 with Clifford as its starting quarterback. The Lions have only two New Year's Six bowl victories since 2006, and Clif- ford was the starting quarterback for the second of them, helping PSU defeat Memphis in the Cotton Bowl in 2019. Along the way, he's won admirers with his toughness and resilience, as well as his mentorship of freshmen Allar and Beau Pribula. "I think you guys know the amount of respect I have for Sean," Franklin told reporters following the Maryland game. "He's been here a long time. He's done it the right way. He represents the pro- gram with class. And obviously, [there's] his statistics, his overall production. I'm happy for him and I'm proud of him." ■ Franklin-Era Quarterbacks Dominate PSU's Career Passing Chart Shortly after Sean Clifford broke the Penn State record for career passing yardage, the previous record holder reached out to celebrate his achievement. "Records were meant to be broken," Trace McSorley tweeted. "Congrats, brotha!" McSorley and Clifford spent a couple of seasons together at PSU. Clifford redshirted in 2017, Mc- Sorley's junior year, then was the third-teamer the following season, playing behind McSorley and Tommy Stevens. When Stevens surprisingly transferred after spring practice in 2019, Clifford became McSorley's successor. McSorley's predecessor, Chris- tian Hackenberg, is also one of the most productive passers in school history. Indeed, the Nittany Lions' career passing yardage list is, at least in part, a testament to how the program's offensive approach has changed during the post- Paterno era. All four of the quar- terbacks who have been regular starters for the Lions in the past 11 years are ranked among the program's top five career passers. — Matt Herb M cS o r ley was Pe n n Sta te's sta r t i n g quarterback for three seasons and threw for 9,899 yards. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL PENN STATE'S CAREER PASSING YARDAGE LEADERS Rk Name Years Yards 1. Sean Clifford 2018-pres. 10,382 2. Trace McSorley 2015-18 9,899 3. Christian Hackenberg 2013-15 8,457 4. Zack Mills 2001-04 7,212 5. Matt McGloin 2009-12 6,390 6. Tony Sacca 1988-91 5,869 7. Daryll Clark 2006-09 5,742 8. Chuck Fusina 1975-78 5,382 9. Kerry Collins 1991-94 5,304 10. Anthony Morelli 2004-07 5,275