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Key questions for Penn State football in the Rose Bowl game

Today is the day. After a month of anticipation, Penn State will face off against Utah in the 109th Rose Bowl Game.

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Nov 26, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) runs the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won 35-16. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Today is the day. After a month of anticipation, Penn State will face off against Utah in the 109th Rose Bowl Game.

What’s on the line?

Outside of the two College Football Playoff games, this matchup is arguably the best of the bowl season. Both teams play a remarkably similar style of football. There are also many opt-ins to this game from each side, contrasting to most bowls.

Penn State is looking for a signature win after losing its ranked matchups this year. Given that the Big Ten was on the losing side of both CFP semifinal games, the Nittany Lions can also secure a marquee victory for the conference in bowl season.

This game has been examined exhaustively since the matchup was first announced in early December. However, the most critical questions will only be decided once the ball kicks off in Pasadena. 

Can the offense establish a run game? 

Penn State’s rushing attack took tremendous steps forward this season. However, the run game still came up short in crucial moments. For instance, the Nittany Lions gained just over 200 rushing yards against Michigan and Ohio State.

Utah has the best rushing defense Penn State has seen since October. The Utes come in allowing 107 yards per game, ranked right behind Penn State at 15th in the nation.

The running game has been the key for Penn State’s offense all year. The Nittany Lions have created balance by picking up yards on the ground early in games. Many of Sean Clifford’s best throws this season have come off play action. Once again, this is likely the most effective way for Penn State to push the ball down the field Monday.

Most importantly, this game has all the calling cards of a slugfest. Penn State should have a deeper and more dynamic backfield, especially given the news that Keyvone Lee is expected to play for the first time since October. If Penn State can get a lead late, I like its chances of using Lee, Nicholas Singleton, and Kaytron Allen to wear down the Utes’ defensive front.

Can the defense get pressure on Cam Rising?

By most metrics, Cam Rising is one of the best quarterbacks in the PAC-12. His 25 touchdowns and 66% completion rate are good enough to be top four in the conference this year. Rising has been lethal on passes thrown short and over the middle, with over a third of his 2,900 passing yards and touchdowns coming on these throws.

However, Penn State’s defense can have success if it can create disruption up front. According to PFF, Rising’s passer rating drops by 37 points when under pressure. His completion rating also plummets from 72% to 44% in these situations.

Unfortunately, this task will be a challenging one. Statistically, Utah’s offensive line could be the best Penn State has faced. The unit ranks top five nationally in both sacks and tackles for loss allowed. A stellar November propelled the Nittany Lions’ defense, but that was against lesser competition. This matchup presents a season-defining contest for Manny Diaz’s front.

Which Sean Clifford will show up?

Really – how could this question be left out? Love him or hate him, Penn State fans only have four more quarters left with Sean Clifford at quarterback.

As it has many times before in his nearly half-decade as a starter, this game could all come down to Sean Clifford’s performance. Utah comes into this game with a good – but not elite – passing defense, allowing 218 yards through the air per game. However, yards usually aren’t Clifford’s issue. We’ve seen him shine on the national stage before, most notably against Auburn in 2021 and Minnesota this year.

Even in losses, Clifford has recorded respectable numbers against talented defenses. For Clifford, the issue has been the backbreaking errors. Strip sacks, late-game interceptions, and the like. On this stage, even minor miscues could swing the moment of the game.

Like it or not, Clifford will leave the field Monday as one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Penn State history. However, stats alone do not shape legacies. The glaring hole in Clifford’s resume is the need for a signature victory.

Clifford could check that box with a Rose Bowl Game win against a top-10 team. Yes, this game may not reach the heights that many hoped Penn State would attain when Clifford took the reins in 2019. But, given the mess that last two seasons have been, a win Monday would easily be considered one of the most essential games for the program in the previous decade.

Clifford can do much more than cement his legacy at Penn State with a win. The expectations for this team in 2023 were already high before this season. Those expectations have only risen in recent months with a 10-2 regular season and a talented young roster that looks poised to take the next step.

While momentum for 2023 will be high regardless of the result, a Rose Bowl Game victory would be like throwing gasoline on a raging fire. If Clifford can do that, he can end his career confident that he left Penn State in a better position than when he started. Talk about one heck of a parting gift.

Team stats – NCAA. Player stats – PFF.

FOOTBALL

Sean Clifford has some bold statements ahead of the NFL Draft

On Friday, Sean Clifford had some bold statements ahead of the NFL Draft in mid-April.

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Penn State veteran Sean Clifford, Penn State football
Sep 17, 2022; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) takes a snap during the first quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — On Friday, the Penn State Nittany Lions held their pro day at the school’s football facilities. There, 6-year Penn State football quarterback Sean Clifford made an impact on pro scouts, and made some bold claims about his combine snub and NFL hopes. Whether you love him or hate him, Penn State veteran Sean Clifford believes in himself, and believes that he is ready for what professional football has for him.

Penn State veteran Sean Clifford believes that he is ready for for the NFL

Here is some of what Penn State veteran Sean Clifford had to say during his pro day performance on Friday.

“I feel like I was snubbed with the Combine for sure,” Clifford said. “The body of work that I’ve had with these teams here; when I didn’t see my name as a Combine guy, I felt disrespected for sure. But, hey, it’s just more fuel to the fire.

“Being able to come out here, show the scouts what I got, and being able to really just put on a show, it’s been a lot of fun, and a good way to cap off a great career at Penn State. So I’m really thankful.”

Sean Clifford has an impressive body of work with Penn State football

During his six years in State College, Penn State veteran Sean Clifford broke numerous Penn State football records — such as passing yards, passing touchdowns, and more. Additionally, Clifford became the winningest Penn State quarterback of all-time, compiling a 33-15 record and two New Year’s Six bowls during his four seasons as a starter.

When asked how he through his pro day went, Penn State veteran Sean Clifford claimed that it went “Really well … Especially getting out there and being able to show my speed. I think that’s something I really wanted to come in and kind of re-prove. I know that I’ve shown speed on film. But I wanted to come out here and post a good time. So being able to post a 4.57[-second 40-yard-dash], I’m proud of that number.”

Now that his pro day has passed, Sean Clifford has his attention on getting into the NFL — he will likely be signed after the draft as not many teams are in need of a 24-year-old quarterback. Still, he believes that all he needs is a chance.

“I just need to be in a camp,” Clifford said. “I just need to be able to be in a practice with the pros. Because I know I’m a pro, [and] I know I can come in and add value to a team. I know that more than anything. I still think that I can play in the [NFL], 100 percent, provide to a team, win games, the same way I did here.

“So it’s just being able to come out, talk to as many scouts as possible, get to know some coaches. It’s just being able to get around a bunch of teams, because I truly feel like no matter where I’m at, I could add a substantial amount of value.”



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FOOTBALL

Penn State quarterback room dips in annual ESPN rankings

The Nittany Lions are a few spots down from where the 2022 QB room ranked.

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Drew Allar, 2023 QB rankings

STATE COLLEGE, PA — Ahead of every college football season, ESPN ranks the top quarterback rooms in the sport. Seeing as QB is the most important position on the field, this ranking is a pretty important indication of how a team’s offense will perform throughout the year — ESPN ranks the entire room, not just the team’s starting quarterback. This week, ESPN released its 2023 QB rankings, and the Nittany Lions — led by sophomore Drew Allar — found themselves a few spots lower than they did a season ago.

Where did Penn State football rank in 2022?

With Sean Clifford and Drew Allar headlining Penn State’s quarterback room in 2022, ESPN ranked the Nittany Lions at No. 11 nationally a season ago. After winning the Rose Bowl and finishing 11-2 overall, Penn State football lost two of its three QBs from the 2022 room — Sean Clifford is graduating, and Christian Veilleux has entered the transfer portal.

With only Drew Allar remaining from last year’s room, many thought that this preseason dip in the rankings was inevitable; after all, no one has truly seen Allar or Pribula play ball yet.

Where do Drew Allar and Penn State fall in the 2023 QB rankings?

This year, Penn State comes in at No. 15 nationally in the 2023 QB rankings — just four spots down from last year’s rankings despite losing 2/3 of the room and a veteran starting quarterback. With the nation’s No. 1 recruit from 2022 — Drew Allar — at the helm this year, Penn State fans are hoping for much bigger and better than what the program got under Sean Clifford.

Behind Drew Allar is fellow sophomore Beau Pribula, who has been turning heads during spring ball this far, and could find himself a stand alone role on the Penn State offense this year. According to James Franklin, his most attractive trait is that he boasts an opposite skillset than what Sean Clifford and Drew Allar have.

Behind Pribula at QB3 is true freshman Jackson Smolik.

What is the expectation for Allar & Co. this year?

After four years of Sean Clifford, all Penn State fans are ready to turn the page. While Clifford’s teams had some great seasons — such as 2019 and 2022 which both won 11 games and New Year’s Six bowls — he was never enough to get the Nittany Lions to the next level. Now, Penn State needs to get more from the massive Drew Allar and his counterparts.

As I have written before, the Penn State Nittany Lions do not need Allar to be elite in 2023 to make the CFP. That being said, if Penn State wants to win a national title, elite is the only thing that can be expected of Drew Allar. We will know a lot more about this year’s offense on September 2nd when Penn State kicks off its 2023 season at home against West Virginia; for now, the expectations for Allar and Co. are all over the place.



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Penn State needs KeAndre Lambert-Smith to be a true No. 1, Franklin says

The Nittany Lions need their veteran wide receiver to be one of the best in the Big Ten this year.

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Penn State football KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Nov 27, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (13) runs after a catch during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — Heading into the 2023 season, the Penn State Nittany Lions are losing some solid talent at the wide receiver position. A season ago, standouts like Parker Washington, Mitchell Tinsley, and Brenton Strange were some of Sean Clifford’s favorite targets; however, as we turn the page to a brand new season this fall, Penn State football will be without all three of these pass-catchers. In year one of the Drew Allar era, head coach James Franklin claims that the Nittany Lions need KeAndre Lambert-Smith to be a true No. 1 receiver.

Penn State football news KeAndre Lambert-Smith to be a true No. 1 receiver

The Penn State football team is looking solid at wide receiver right now despite all of its departures from the 2022 squad. The Nittany Lions managed to add two solid receivers from the transfer portal and still have some in-house talent that they can fall back on. That being said, Penn State needs one man to go above and beyond this year: KeAndre Lambert-Smith.

A season ago, Lambert-Smith caught 24 passes for 389 yards and four touchdowns — his best performance of the year came against No. 8 Utah in the Rose Bowl game on January 2nd; there, he hauled in three passes for 124 yards and a touchdown during the Nittany Lions’ 14-point win over the Utes. After the Rose Bowl performance, KeAndre Lambert-Smith claimed that, while the 11-2 season was nice, Penn State football is looking for bigger and better in 2023.

James Franklin says Lambert-Smith needs to be a top performer in the Big Ten, not just at Penn State

Here is what head coach James Franklin had to say about KeAndre Lambert-Smith during his media availability on Tuesday afternoon:

“He’s been really good so far this spring,” Franklin said. “We need him to be THE guy, a true number one [receiver], not just at Penn State but really in the [Big Ten] and a guy that people are talking about nationally.”

James Franklin added that Penn State is still figuring out some depth issues when it comes to the wideout room. “There is going to be a competition really with all of [Penn State’s receivers] — I think that is probably one of the big question marks between now and the first game.”

After an incredible 2022 season, the Penn State football team is looking for even better results from its offense. Right now, the quarterback, running back, offenisve line, and tight ends all appear to be somewhat in place; however, as the spring goes on, the Lions must figure out who will start and who will sit when it comes to their receivers. The one thing that we do know for sure: KeAndre Lambert-Smith is going to be a crucial factor in Penn State’s passing game this fall.



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics.

For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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