No. 14 Penn State pulls away from Central Michigan powered by a complete second-half resurgence

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State goes as Sean Clifford goes.

When the sixth-year senior quarterback completed each of his first eight passes, the Nittany Lions took a two-score lead. Central Michigan responded with two scores of its own while Clifford crumbled, completing just seven passes on his next 17 attempts.

But the sixth-year quarterback regained composure and completed 7 of 9 to fuel a Penn State two-possession lead. Clifford’s effort down the stretch was exactly what the No. 14-ranked Lions needed to take down the Chippewas, 33-14, at Beaver Stadium and improve their record to 4-0 (1-0 Big Ten).

“It’s interesting, looking at our stat sheet that we use in terms of critical areas, I wouldn’t necessarily say it felt like this but we won all of them,” coach James Franklin said.

“Drive start, we won. Turnover battle, that’s been huge for us this season — four to zero. Penalty battle, I wouldn’t have thought we won that, but we own that as well. And then the explosive play battle, both our offense and our defense.”

In all, Clifford went 22 of 34 with 217 yards and three touchdowns, before being relieved by Drew Allar midway through the fourth quarter.

Freshman running back Kaytron Allen highlighted Penn State’s rushing attack with 111 yards on 13 attempts. Fellow freshman Nicholas Singleton had 12 carries but only mustered 42 yards, his lowest since Week 1.

A runaway second half didn’t arrive without some help from the defensive backs. Zakee Wheatley and Johnny Dixon each picked off a pass by Central Michigan (1-3) quarterback Daniel Richardson. Kalen King added a forced fumble that he recovered.

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Richardson threw for 235 yards, completing 26 of 45 attempts with two touchdowns and those two aforementioned picks before leaving the game late in the fourth quarter with an injury.

It wouldn’t have come as much of a surprise had Penn State run up the score in the first half, handed the keys over to its bench, and put the game in cruise control as four-score favorites.

Saturday’s win didn’t pan out that easily — or that quickly.

Clifford completed his first eight pass attempts, throwing two first-quarter touchdowns. First, a 5-yard pass to receiver Mitchell Tinsley, capping a seamless nine-play, 59-yard drive. Tinsley now has 30 straight games with a reception, the seventh longest streak in the country. Brenton Strange scored on the following possession.

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Richardson, a sophomore quarterback, responded with two scoring drives, predominantly through the air, tying the score at 14 in the second quarter.

But Clifford being able to rebound proved the difference, putting Penn State on the board with a mix of rushing and passing touchdowns. Saturday was the 10th time in his career he finished with a passing and rushing touchdown.

“It’s tough to evaluate everything off the rip,” Clifford said about his midgame slump. “Deep passes we didn’t complete today. That’s something I know I’ll see on film and want to get back. Probably could’ve gone through progressions a little bit quicker. I got back to it, but I think I could’ve gone even faster.”

Penalties also beat up Central Michigan — and, in the third quarter, took away precious points as well.

A 6-yard touchdown pass was called back because of offensive pass interference, making it second-and-20 from the 20. Then, a holding call shuffled the Chippewas back again for third-and-30 at the 30-yard line.

Central Michigan then failed to convert on fourth down, walking away without points, on a prime opportunity to stage a comeback, trailing, 27-14. In the fourth quarter, the Chippewas had a second score nullified by a holding penalty and later fumbled the ball, which was recovered by King.

It was tight end Brenton Strange who highlighted Penn State’s offensive attack. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich seemed especially intentional in giving the tight end opportunities.

The redshirt junior finished with five receptions for 42 yards and two touchdowns.

Both of his touchdowns on Saturday — a single-game career-high — were converted after turnovers. The first was a quick turnaround from Wheatley’s pick. The second came two plays after Curtis Jacobs recovered a Central Michigan muffed punt at the 7-yard line.

Next Saturday, the Nittany Lions get into the thick of Big Ten play as Northwestern heads to Happy Valley (3:30 p.m., ABC or ESPN) in the back half of a two-game homestand.