STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The annual White Out game has come and gone, with No. 16 Penn StateBeat Minnesota45-17 Saturday. Here are my initial thoughts after the Nittany Lions moved to 6-1 (3-1 Big Ten) before next week’s showdown against Ohio State.
1. Quarterback Sean CliffordBoth coach James Franklin and the offense were booed when they were introduced to the video board prior to the game. After the first three drives, which saw a pair each of three-and-1s and an interception by Clifford, the offense received boos from the crowd. Franklin wouldn’t comment on his team’s not-so-happy Homecoming following the blowout loss to MichiganHowever, Parker Washington, the receiver, was able to laugh about it afterwards.
Yes, many of the announced crowd members heard the players, who loudly allowed the offense to win, even though it had a rough start.
“I know the expectations are high,” Washington said. “The crowd was ready for a big game, so it was just one of those deals. We gotta be ready next week.”
It felt like the season was reaching a tipping point after those three failed series. Clifford and Penn State both were able to make the offense realize its potential. This group suddenly went from being stagnant to explosive, and won back the support. Clifford’s third and nine completion was the key moment that ignited offense. Theo Johnson. Clifford hit Johnson across the middle, and the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder turned it into a 25-yard gain that set up Penn State’s first points on a field goal.
Clifford completed 23-of-31 passes for 295 yards. This was his first big pass. Clifford threw 4 touchdowns and had only one first-quarter interception. What was notable about Clifford’s performance was those explosive passes. According to TruMedia, Clifford had completed only 9 of 35 passes that were at least 15 yards downfield by Saturday’s start. He was 6-for-9 with throws of 15 yards or more during Saturday’s first half. Clifford was able to complete nine throws with 17 yards or more.
Franklin has been adamant for weeks that the offense must be more explosive in its passing game. This was realized on Saturday night, despite a slow start.
Sean Clifford threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns. (Matthew O’Haren / USA Today)
2.Penn State made it a priority to target tight ends. It’s a group that the coaches have raved about for the past two seasons. Johnson had five catches of 75 yards and an 18 yard touchdown after they were targeted five more times in the last two games. Tyler WarrenWide open for a 38-yard touchdown; Brenton StrangeThe tight end who was the most productive in the game had a catch for 5 yard.
This offense has so many weapons, that Penn State finally felt able to bring them all together.
3. While the turnaround after such a shaky start for the offense was notable, the Nittany Lions can’t afford to have a first-quarter lull like this next Saturday when Ohio State comes to town. Clifford, however, said he wasn’t overly concerned about the first three series. He said he wouldn’t even call them “stalled drives.”
“It was just kind of like just didn’t work out a couple of the plays,” he said. “I thought that we played a really clean game, to be honest with you.”
The play that Clifford said could’ve allowed the offense to break this game open even earlier came on the first third down. Third-and-5 at Penn State 30, Clifford hit Tinsley with a 4-yard touchdown. Penn State could’ve captured momentum right there but didn’t.
“It was an easy first down and I could’ve just fallen forward,” Tinsley said. “I wasn’t really aware of the sticks at the time. That’s on me. … I was definitely irritated (at myself) a little bit.”
4.Washington could find this game a good springboard. Washington was able to catch the ball and score his first touchdown of the year. Clifford was then rocked as he delivered the jump ball. It was one of the best throws Franklin said he’s seen his quarterback make under duress.
Parker Washington snubbed it. 😱@cpw_3x @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/G2Z9ug9yIr
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 23, 2022
Washington’s production wasn’t anywhere near where it was expected to be in the first half of the season. He was the new No. He started the season as the No. 1 receiver and ended it with 23 receptions of 318 yards and zero touchdowns. He was part of a night that saw him lead the team with eight targets, and he finished with seven receptions totaling 70 yards.
“I do think when Parker Washington touches the ball a bunch and when our tight ends touched the ball a bunch, I think, you know, we’re at our best,” Franklin said.
5. When the offense started clicking — it scored touchdowns on the first four drives of the second half — it also was able to get back to using tempo.
“Being able to use tempo to our to our advantage is key,” Washington said. “I feel like we’re at our best with tempo.”
Penn State increased the pace after Clifford completed a 9 yard pass to Washington to convert fourth-and-3. Tinsley was left uncovered by Minnesota for a 20-yard touchdown.
No. 16 @PennStateFballIt is rolling. 🦁 pic.twitter.com/JnlTsFD96D
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 23, 2022
6. Clifford’s availability was a concern this week after he left the Michigan game and subsequently missed one day of practice because of soreness, Franklin said. Once Penn State found out there wasn’t any structural damage to the quarterback’s undisclosed injury and that it would just be about pain management, Franklin said they felt better about Clifford’s chances of playing. The quarterback was not in uniform and did not attempt to pass during Wednesday’s media practice.
7. Kaytron Allen’s powerful running style can send a message to opponents. When the Penn State freshman dropped his shoulder to take on a defender at the end of a run, the sideline was alive. That physical style hasn’t always been present in this backfield. Allen was also taken out of the T-formation by the Nittany Lions to score a first down.
“He brings a little bit of juice, a little bit of fire with him,” Johnson said. “He runs with a chip on his shoulder and I think that’s been a huge part of our offense this year for sure.”
8. The backfield has been officially taken over by the freshmen. Although it seemed only a matter time, Penn State has exclusively rotated its backfield. Nicholas SingletonAllen. Singleton ran 13 times for 79 yards with two touchdowns and Allen had 15 runs for 77 yards. Keyvone LeeParticipated in warmups, but was then dressed in street clothes for the game. In his absence, Tank SmithAnd Tyler HolzworthAs reserves, they were dressed. Holzworth ran this week with the Scout team.
9.Penn State knew Minnesota would be looking to bang the ball with Mo Ibrahim. This was especially true given Minnesota’s absence of a quarterback. Tanner MorganThe success Michigan achieved in running 418 miles on the ground. But Ibrahim’s longest run went for 13 yards. How could the defense limit Ibrahim to 102 yard on 30 carries.
“We consistently did our job and held our gaps,” Franklin said. “How we’re kind of built defensively is everybody’s responsible for a gap. You’ve got to own your gap and you can’t peek and try to fall into somebody else’s gap. The ball finally finds the gap against the good teams. We were really consistent in doing that tonight.”
10.Penn State went into the season knowing that it would have to limit its linebacker personnel. As a freshman Abdul Carter has emerged, it’s become clear he needs to get on the field more. Carter was flanked by Minnesota’s Matt Ryan in his first start. Curtis JacobsAnd Tyler Elsdon. Franklin explained that Penn State wanted three box linebackers in order to slow down its run game.
“We’ve been playing some of what we call our big base with three linebackers on the field,” Franklin said. “Curtis has played to the field, so it allows us to move him out there. … We knew we were playing a running team.”
Jacobs had a record 14 tackles on the team, with two for loss. Carter came in second place with eight tackles. This one will be filed with strong adjustments by Penn State staff.
Curtis Jacobs was the last player to finish with 14 tackles, a record for Curtis Jacobs. (Matthew O’Haren / USA Today)
11. Minnesota’s touchdown drive before halftime was the only real blemish for Manny Diaz’s defense. With 1:57 remaining in the second quarter, the Gophers took the ball and ran three rushes of over 11-plus yards. Athan KaliakmanisMorgan was replaced by, who took over. Kirk Ciarrocca’s offense went 90 yards in nine plays and 1:25 to trim Penn State’s lead to 17-10.
12.The impact of the home crowd was undoubtedly significant. Five false start penalties were assessed to Minnesota. This atmosphere was very favorable for the Nittany Lions. It will be a consideration if they are able host an expanded College Football Playoff. Just imagine the atmosphere for a CFP-style game if this crowd is as enthusiastic as it is for Minnesota.
“Don’t allow anybody to get our tickets,” Franklin said, adding that the crowd needs to be like that next Saturday for a rare noon ET kickoff against Ohio State too.
13. Drew AllarIn the fourth quarter, he was again getting more experience. It wasn’t the only uptick in action for the freshman this week, as the backup quarterbacks were able to all get extra practice reps during the one practice day when Clifford sat out due to soreness. Penn State made Allar’s playing time a priority this week and he was able again to do so, although he only attempted two passes.
14. Franklin said earlier in the week he’d probably shake 100-plus hands during this game. This is not an exaggeration. The White Out is always Penn State’s marquee recruiting event of the season, and even before Franklin was in the stadium, he shook 60-plus hands of recruits and their families as they watched the team parade by. After the game, recruits enjoyed the pregame handshakes while they took in the atmosphere at the sideline. Franklin thanked all the recruits for coming to the game and organized another round of meet-and greets.
The handshake count is skyrocketing with new recruits joining the ranks pic.twitter.com/WRDhGPrtY5
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) October 23, 2022
(Top photo of Parker Washington: Matthew O’Haren / USA Today)
