Sean Clifford proved why he was never short on self-confidence in win vs Auburn

Penn State QB Sean Clifford said there is nobody more confidence than himself, and he backed it up against Auburn

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Statistically speaking, Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford has had better games in a Penn State uniform. He didn’t set a personal record for most passing yards in a single game. He didn’t throw a career-best touchdown total to receivers. And yes, he did officially go down in the box score with an interception. But if you were looking for a quarterback to back up the idea he is the most confident he’s ever been going into the 2021 season, then Sean Clifford absolutely delivered Saturday night in a lively Beaver Stadium.

Clifford was nearly flawless in Penn State’s 28-20 victory over Auburn on Saturday night. Penn State’s third-year starting quarterback completed 28 of 32 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns. From the jump, Clifford responded well by not succumbing to the pressure from an aggressive Auburn defense. Deep balls down the field weren’t necessarily there for Penn State, but Clifford took advantage of the receivers that were open, including a big night from his tight ends.

It was the sign of maturity that should be expected of a player who is in his final year of eligibility and already owned two years of starting experience for a team that has played in and won a Cotton Bowl. After throwing five interceptions in the first three games to a disastrous 2020 season, Clifford has now gone through three games and thrown just one. And nobody will be ripping him apart for the interception Clifford threw toward the end of the first half against Auburn. To string together the performances he has now against Wisconsin and Auburn, with a solid game against Ball State in between, Clifford continues to show his leadership and resiliency.

After the game, head coach James Franklin spoke highly of the performance of Clifford.

Clifford was removed as the team’s starting quarterback last season, and he has done nothing but come back with momentum on his side since quickly returning to the starting lineup for the Nittany Lions. Going back to last season, Clifford has now thrown 12 touchdown passes with just three interceptions in the past seven games.

On a night where so much attention was place don the quarterbacks, Clifford and Auburn’s Bo Nix, it was clear Clifford was the better quarterback on the night.

Clifford still has plenty of good challenges coming up this season once Penn State returns to Big Ten play in a couple of weeks. A revenge game is coming up against Indiana, and a trip to Iowa looms after that. But if Clifford continues to avoid making the mistakes that cost him so much a season ago, Penn State’s offense should continue to be in good hands.

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Next up for Clifford and Penn State is a home game against Villanova next Saturday, Sept. 25.

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