Penn State QB Sean Clifford a ‘game-time decision’ against Rutgers, per James Franklin
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, who was injured Saturday, is a “game-time decision” against Rutgers this weekend, head coach James Franklin said Tuesday afternoon.
Clifford, a redshirt sophomore, crumpled to the turf in the third quarter against Ohio State with an apparent leg injury. He walked off the field under his own power but did not return in the 28-17 loss. Backup QB Will Levis took the reins in his place.
According to Franklin, regardless of Clifford’s health, Levis will likely play in some capacity in the regular-season finale.
“I really could see a situation where Will plays this week,” Franklin added. “Now, how much he plays, I’m not sure. But I could see us playing Will this week, and Will is going to have to get a little bit more reps in practice just because Sean is not ready to take the normal amount of reps.”
Franklin acknowledged that Clifford has been hindered by injury the last three or four weeks but, in light of an ESPN report that reiterated accusations of Franklin pressuring medical personnel to prematurely clear injured players, the head coach was quick to add that the athletic trainers would have the final say this week.
Still, it would appear there’s not as much of a need to rush Clifford back. The Nittany Lions are set to face the Big Ten’s last-place team in Rutgers, and Penn State is widely regarded as a heavy 40-point favorite.
“I will tell you, Sean is not the easiest guy, just like Trace (McSorley) wasn’t, to pull off the field,” Franklin said. “They’re competitors. But at the end of the day, those will be medical decisions.”
Clifford has so far fared well in his first season as a starter. He’s fourth in the conference in passing yards (2,521) and third in touchdown passes (22). He’s also thrown just six interceptions while completing 59.5% of his passes, and he’s rushed for 373 yards while adding five rushing scores.
Levis — who was officially beaten out by Clifford in fall camp — is a lot more inexperienced. But he surprised many by filling in adeptly for Clifford against No. 2 Ohio State. Levis inherited a 21-0 deficit and, thanks to two quick fumble recoveries by the defense, was able to help cut the Ohio State lead to 21-17 behind a strong running game.
The redshirt freshman threw a bad interception in the final quarter, and his soft cadence didn’t do the offensive line any favors, but Franklin still labeled Levis’ overall performance “remarkable.”
“I think it was remarkable,” Franklin said. “You go on the road against a top-two team, you could make an argument ... that he went in and not only did he play well, but also the team believed. That’s important.”
Levis finished the loss to the Buckeyes with 34 rushing yards and a score on 19 carries. He also went 6-of-11 passing for 57 yards and the interception. So far this season, he’s 20-of-33 passing for 142 yards, one TD and one pick.
When Franklin was asked what position has most surprised him this season, the head coach quickly responded Tuesday by mentioning the quarterback position.
“I’d probably say the quarterback position in Sean because I just think, coming into the season, no one knew what to expect,” Franklin said. “So that would probably be the thing that jumps out to me. And then obviously Levis being able to come in and do some good things under a tough situation, so I’d probably say that position in some ways.”
Penn State will take on Rutgers — which has lost 20 straight conference games — at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Beaver Stadium in the regular-season finale.
This story was originally published November 26, 2019 at 1:00 PM.
