After starting off the 2020 season in abysmal fashion with a program-worst 0-5 start, Penn State has done nothing but win games since. Penn State’s 38-17 victory over Villanova on Saturday afternoon in Beaver Stadium was the eighth consecutive win for the Nittany Lions dating back to the midway point of the 2020 season.
Penn State head coach James Franklin can feel really good about his team jumping into Big Ten play for the remainder of the season knowing his offense has big-play potential but also has some things to improve on the rest of the way.
Here are five takeaways from Penn State’s latest victory.
Sean Clifford continues to impress
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford became just the second passer in program history to throw for 400 yards in a single game (401 yards, officially). Clifford’s third career four-touchdown performance also saw him make a move up on the school’s all-time career touchdown passing list. Clifford’s Week 4 performance saw him moving up a few all-time passing lists in Penn State history, and he’s clearly not done yet.
Sean Clifford now owns the No. 2 and No. 4 all-time single-game passing records by a #PennState QB in program history.
Here’s the updated top 10 single-game passing records in #PSU program history, via @NittanyLionWire: https://t.co/pUGpjSmohD
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) September 25, 2021
#PennState QB Sean Clifford moved up two spots on the school’s all-time career passing list.
Via @NittanyLionWire: https://t.co/H7jb0k8QpM
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) September 25, 2021
Clifford continues to impress with his poise and decision-making. He was intercepted for the second time this season, but neither has come on a poor decision. His first against Auburn was a deep pass that was disrupted by contact from an Auburn defender as he released the ball in Week 3. His second, this time against Villanova was on a pass that was right to his receiver but bobbled. It certainly wasn’t Clifford’s fault. If Penn State continues to get play like this from Clifford, this offense will have more big plays on the way.
Parker Washington has cemented his status
We sort of already knew Parker Washignton was likely to be the team’s second-best receiver this season. Washington was the team’s second-leading receiver last season behind Jahan Dotson, and it is looking like we are well on our way to seeing the same result this season. But on Saturday, it was the Parker Washignton show with a game-high 148 receiving yards on five receptions. Washignton also scored two touchdowns.
[lawrence-related id=7351,7346]