Sean Clifford reflects on his time at Penn State ahead of final game

Sean Clifford began his collegiate career at Penn State back in 2017. Now, after six seasons with the Nittany Lions, Clifford will play his last game in college on Monday on a pretty big stage in the Rose Bowl against Utah.

Clifford’s time at Penn State has definitely been memorable. He’s been through some ups and downs at the quarterback position, but he currently holds multiple program records. Clifford is the all-time program leader in completions (817), passing yards (10,382) and passing touchdowns (84). He also has the most pass attempts in program history with 1,335, and his .612 completion percentage ranks at No. 1 as well.

As he gears up for the Rose Bowl, Clifford admitted that he’s been able to take a moment to look back and reflect on his career over the past couple of weeks.

“I would say a little bit for sure,” Clifford said. “Just being able to look back, especially during the downtime, during the Christmas time. We were actually going through my parents’ TV, it’s an old TV, and they recorded all the games, so we just went back and watched a bunch of them.

“It was so much fun because we convinced them to get a new TV. So they were getting rid of it, and they were going to lose all the games on the recordings, but we were just going through it, and just all the cool experiences, all the teams I’ve played on is just fantastic. Couldn’t thank Penn State enough to be in the position I’ve been in. And just a cool little day definitely to spend time with family.”

This season, Clifford has thrown for 2,543 yards with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions, adding five more rushing touchdowns.

Clifford on his initial memories at Penn State

In 2019, Clifford got his first glimpse of The Big House, and that game against Michigan is one of his favorite memories of his career. In that 28-21 Penn State victory, Clifford was 14-for-25 with 182 yards and three touchdowns, adding another touchdown on the ground.

“Just looking back, I think the Michigan whiteout in 2019, just being my first whiteout was one that when I turned it on I was like, wow, that was awesome, just the environment, the excitement, the magnitude of that game, going into that year, my first year starting too,” said Clifford.

“And that one stood out, but the list goes on and on, games from this year, games from 2019, even games from 2018 when I was just getting a snap or two, just being able to be out there, the excitement of just being able to play ball in front of so many people and so many great fans. It’s truly been an honor.”

Clifford knew Happy Valley was the right place for him

Even though Clifford’s recruitment took place around eight years ago, he still remembers his initial impressions of Penn State. When he took a visit to Happy Valley. That visit told him everything he needed to know. And the rest is history.

“Yeah, I definitely do,” Clifford added. “I was visiting — I didn’t visit a ton of schools. I got offered by a decent amount, but that was before everybody was torn everywhere. I’m here six years, so I’ve committed almost ten years — I feel like it was eight — yeah, 2015, so almost, yeah, eight years ago. So it was a different time in recruiting back then.

“But, no, for me, I remember I was driving in the car back home, and it was my dad and my buddy Matt Bockhorst and I, who ended up going to Clemson, but we both got offered that day. And we were talking about it, and he was juiced about getting offered and everything, but I just remember I was like this — I don’t think I can find another place like that.

“I was just — it was just a different feeling when I got offered. I felt like I was really at home. I felt like it was the right fit. And then not too long later I committed. So it’s been a long eight years. But it’s been the best eight years of my life. Just being able to be committed to a school, to be loved by a school and to just have so many friends through this whole experience has been amazing.”

Clifford will take the field one last time on Monday in the Rose Bowl, leading Penn State against Utah at 5 p.m. ET.