WATCH: Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe makes huge hit on Penn State QB Sean Clifford

If No. 22 Penn State needed a reintroduction to SEC football it got one in a hurry on Saturday in a rematch with Auburn. Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe made a huge hit on quarterback Sean Clifford on a scramble near the first-down marker on the Nittany Lions’ first drive of the game, jarring the bar loose and shaking up the veteran signal-caller.

Pappoe closed in from the middle of the field right as Clifford reached the marker on a key third-and-9 play, blasting him and sending the ball flying out toward the sideline.

You can check out the monster hit below.

Don't remember the last time I've seen a QB get blown up like this in a game.pic.twitter.com/tIPH6iXFGN

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 17, 2022

Referees ruled the ball down short of the sticks, prompting coach James Franklin to go for it on fourth-and-inches, but a Clifford keeper up the middle was stopped short, giving the Tigers the ball in Nittany Lions’ territory.

Auburn took over on the Penn State 47-yard line and quickly worked its way down the field. But the Tigers’ drive stalled in the red zone, and Auburn had to settle for taking a 3-0 lead on an Anders Carlson 31-yard field goal.

Auburn looking for revenge against Penn State

Penn State won last year’s matchup in Happy Valley 28-20 in a hard-fought game.

Auburn will be looking for a bit of revenge as the Tigers play their first game against a marquee opponent in 2022. Despite a tumultuous offseason and a shaky first two weeks, the Tigers have opened the year 2-0.

A win against the Nittany Lions would certainly change the perception around the program, particularly for embattled head coach Bryan Harsin.

The lack of faith in Auburn was easy to find in the national media heading into the game. Said ESPN analyst David Pollack:

“ I think you have to take into account the crowd. That has to be a big part of it. Both teams I don’t know a lot about yet. I don’t know if either one is great, but I do think the home crowd will make a big difference.

“But if we spin it to the other side, for Auburn, at quarterback, I don’t even see one good option. So, I don’t see one with experience or one I trust yet. So, I would lean toward Penn State just because they at least have a quarterback.”