Sean Clifford, battling through setbacks, slays final test: Column

PASADENA, Calif. – P.J. Mustipher hadn’t forgotten about the incident. Huddling with reporters in the bowels of the Rose Bowl, Penn State’s veteran defensive tackle was asked about teammate Sean Clifford.

The Nittany Lions’ quarterback had just come out of one of the best games of his career, leading his team to a 35-21 win over Utah. But Mustipher, providing the context demanded by Clifford’s long and winding career, acknowledged what made the final performance so important. 

“He’s been through so much over his time, especially this past year. Getting booed at his own stadium, I’ve never seen something like that,” Mustipher said. “I think all the fans probably regret doing that because the guts he showed, the leadership he showed, it is second to none. He’s done a phenomenal job. I’m glad he got that send-off the right way, especially from our fans.”

Sean Clifford’s send-off

A full 72 days later, Mustipher pointed out, Clifford’s final on-field reception from Penn State fans proved a study in contrast.

Referring to a swath of fans at Beaver Stadium jeering Clifford’s introduction during warm-ups ahead of the Minnesota game in October, Mustipher said the incident had stuck with him. A leader and captain of the team, Mustipher said the disrespectful behavior was something he didn’t like and hadn’t forgotten and felt obligated to call out.

Monday evening, owning a 35-14 lead with 2:30 remaining, the scene was dramatically different. Seven full sections of Nittany Lion fans who’d traveled to Southern California swaddled Clifford in cheers. With head coach James Franklin calling a timeout to ensure the moment of recognition, the quarterback embraced his coaches and figuratively handed over the reins to true freshman Drew Allar to finish out the game.

Along the way, he’d completed 16 of 22 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns. Clifford didn’t throw an interception in the win and delivered a passer rating of 209.3. It was one of the three best of his four-year career as a Penn State starter.

To get there, though, Clifford waded through two immensely difficult seasons. Struggling through 2020 and 2021, the disappointments were bookended by his sterling debut in 2019 and this season. Beginning 11-2 with a New Year’s Six bowl win in his first year as a starter, Clifford guided Penn State to the same feat in 2022 with the Rose Bowl win.

A hard-won appreciation

A journey not lost on Clifford, his postgame priority centered on an appreciation for everything it’d entailed. A destination long-sought but hard-won, Clifford reflected on the influences of the successes he ultimately achieved.

“I just respect, love, and appreciate every single man that came through Penn State’s program and impacted me in whatever way, whether that be coaches, administration, staff, and especially my teammates,” Clifford said. “In 2020, Coach Franklin made a statement about the locker room, and culture in the locker room, and how America honestly could even reflect that in the best way. It doesn’t matter race, religion, or where you’re from. I’ve got brothers for life in that locker room.

“I just can’t thank everybody enough for my experience at Penn State. I cherished every minute of it, the ups and the downs. And, I just couldn’t be more thankful.”

The journey concluded

In a unique career spanning four full seasons as a starter, thanks to the COVID bonus year of eligibility, Clifford finished with 817 completions on 1,335 attempts for 10,382 yards and 84 touchdowns. Good for a 61.2 combined completion percentage, Clifford improved upon it every season as a starter throughout his career. 

Credited by teammates for his steady presence, Clifford emerged from the process as an example to others. A demonstration of behavior Franklin values, the final showing served as another example to that end.

“I’m just happy for him,” Franklin said. “He’s kind of seen it all in his Penn State career. And, at Penn State, it’s important not how we just do it on the football field but in the classroom and in the community.

“He’s done it with the utmost class the entire time. That’s what college football is about. And that’s what Penn State is about.”