Sean Clifford’s second drive was perfect answer following horrible start vs Iowa

In-game analysis: Penn State and Sean Clifford showed early resiliency after rough start vs Iowa, leading

It had been a while since you could say Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford tossed a bad interception. But after Iowa pinned the Nittany Lions back against their own end zone for the first offensive series of the game by the Nittany Lions, Clifford had one of those “uh-oh” moments. But he responded with authority on Penn State’s second drive as the Nittany Lions scored the first touchdown of the game to take an early lead on the Hawkeyes.

Under pressure and in his own end zone, Clifford threw an ill-advised pass along the left sideline on the first offensive snap, and Iowa’s Jestin Jacobs was sitting and ready to get the easy interception at the Penn State eight-yard line.

It was shades of the Clifford miscues witnessed at the start of the 2020 season that cost Penn State on multiple occasions. But because things are different this year, Penn State’s defense rose to the occasion and forced Iowa to settle for a field goal. And then Clifford got his chance for redemption.

Penn State marched the length of the field, 75 yards, for a go-ahead touchdown with Noah Cain pushing one across the goal line from the Iowa two-yard line. Clifford completed five passes by spreading the ball around between KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Parker Washignton, and Brenton Strange. A pass interference penalty on Iowa gave Penn State a free first down at the Iowa two, and the Nittany Lions powered their way to a score.

A year ago, this sequence of events would have gone the other team’s way. There is still plenty of football to be played on this Saturday, but this was a warm reminder that this team is capable of shrugging off moments of dread and rally behind them. If this is a gut check game, Penn State passed its first test.

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