Penn State offense: Mike Yurcich, Sean Clifford look for explosive plays

The Penn State offense is under construction and new leadership. Mike Yurcich, the Nittany Lions’ third offensive coordinator in three years, is preparing quarterback Sean Clifford and his weapons ready to pilot an explosive unit when Penn State opens the 2021 slate on the road against the Wisconsin Badgers at noon on September 4.

Penn State offense: In search of explosive plays

New offense, new season with a challenging road game to open, Yurcich is excited for the challenge. He also knows what he and his offense will face when they take the field at Camp Randall.

“Week 1 against Wisconsin, how good they’re coached on defense, how talented they are on defense, at their place? That’s a challenge in itself,” Yurcich said before Penn State’s second camp practice Saturday. “However explosive we have to be to win that game is what we want to be. Whatever that entails, that’s the goal.”

Getting off on the right foot

Last season’s controversial loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in the season-opener, started a drought of five-straight games without a win. It was Penn State’s worst start in their 134-year history. The Nittany Lions were able to finish strong and win the last four games, however. 

Penn State players are optimistic and are entering the 2021 season looking to prove doubters wrong. They believe last year was a fluke. Many of their offensive stars have voiced this sentiment. 

“The sky’s the limit for this team,” senior wide receiver Jahan Dotson told reporters. “We have all the pieces, we just need to put them in place.”

Quarterback Sean Clifford echoed a similar sentiment as Dotson, his top target in the passing game. Clifford is impressed by the progress the Penn State offense has made but knows that there’s a lot more room for growth as the season speeds to its start. 

“I think we’ve had a killer summer,” Clifford said. “There’s a lot more tape you can watch, a lot more drills we can run. I think our offense is in a really good spot now, but we’re going to keep trending upwards. That’s the goal. You plateau then you trend (upward) so that way you’re always getting better.”