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Sean Clifford praises Nicholas Singleton, Penn State running backs in blowout of Auburn

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•09/17/22
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Auburn quarterback T.J. Finley is hit as he throws in a game against Penn State. The Nittany Lions won 41-12. (Michael Chang / Getty Images)

No. 22 Penn State moved to 3-0 with its most impressive win of the season, knocking off Auburn on the road 41-12 in Week 3. For coach James Franklin‘s squad, the win was a huge step in the right direction following a narrow win at Purdue and a more comfortable victory last week over Ohio.

The Nittany Lions took the lead midway through the first quarter and never looked back in the rout.

“Great stadium, great atmosphere. Got to give it to Auburn,” Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford told the CBS broadcast crew after the game. “Really great team, they brought it too. It was loud. Crazy loud, but I’m just super proud of our guys. I thought that we played a really clean game, complementary football.”

Clifford was excellent, effective when needed as a passer while coordinating a strong effort by Penn State’s ground game. He scored once as a runner, then handed off to running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, who each scored a pair of rushing touchdowns.

Singleton’s second touchdown run from 54 yards out added insult to injury for the Tigers, who once again couldn’t manage much offensively.

The freshman running back led all runners with 10 carries for 124 yards and his two scores, while Allen chipped in nine carries for 52 yards and two touchdowns.

“Nick has been improving ever since he stepped on campus,” Clifford said. “It’s been really impressive to watch. It’s just a start for him, Kaytron, Keyvone (Lee), Devyn (Ford). We have a great running back room, we’ve just got to keep on stacking.”

Quarterback play dooms Auburn in Penn State blowout

Auburn, meanwhile, struggled with its quarterback play. Starting quarterback T.J. Finley put the ball on the ground via fumble multiple times, while also throwing an interception. He battled an injured right shoulder in the game and made way for Robby Ashford in the second half after going just 11-of-19 passing for 152 yards.

Ashford didn’t fare much better, finishing 10-of-19 for 144 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Though the Tigers have struggled early in 2022, it’s a road win that will give the Nittany Lions another blowout and some confidence as the heart of the Big Ten schedule approaches. Franklin’s team hopes to make some noise on the national scene but is focused on one thing at a time.

“We’ll see,” Clifford said. “1-0, that’s all that matters.”