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PSU’s year of resurgence

UNIVERSITY PARK — Fourth-and-2 from the Michigan State 12, Penn State leading 21-16 with less than five minutes remaining. Instead of a field goal, James Franklin “thought we needed to be aggressive,” and — without a timeout — decisively called for a swing pass from Sean Clifford to Nick Singleton, who scored to put a cap on the Nittany Lions’ 10-2 season. Penn State turned an interception on the Spartans’ next possession into another touchdown and a 35-16 win, allowing the Lions to bask in a Senior Day success and turn their attention to bowl season. “We started ...

Highs & Lows

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com UNIVERSITY PARK — Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 35-16 over Michigan State on Saturday at Beaver Stadium: Play of the game: Leading 21-16 and facing fourth-and-2 from the Michigan State 12, Sean Clifford hit Nick Singleton in the left flat, and Singleton scampered into the end zone for a 28-16 lead with 4:31 remaining. Offensive player of the game: Clifford completed 19-of-24 passes for 202 yards and four touchdowns. He was not intercepted. Defensive player of the game: Freshman linebacker Abdul Carter ...

Clifford leaving legacy of perseverance at Penn State

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com UNIVERSITY PARK — Sean Clifford will exit Penn State with many of its passing records, and yet because the Nittany Lions lost their last six games against Ohio State and Michigan, he won’t be remembered among their all-time great quarterbacks. Clifford has a career record of 30-14 as a four-year starter and team captain, and his accuracy off the field is even higher than on it. As his final days as a Nittany Lion wound down, Clifford admitted he understands the fans’ impatience with him. “I love everything about Penn State, and ...

PSU point/counterpoint: In-step Blue Band, music make atmosphere special

There are so many that it’s difficult to pick. From the tailgating to the blue buses that bring the team to Beaver Stadium through the sea of blue-and-white clad fans to the whiteout, which Cory picked to write about, Penn State is blessed with plenty of special traditions. But I’m going to pick the music, specifically the Blue Band and its signature song, “Hail to the Lion.” I’ve known families whose kids were in the Blue Band, and short of the physical contact, they practice as rigorously as the football team — without the adulation. Being in the press box, media ...

Lions’ depth carrying them to strong finish

The most distinctive characteristic about the 2022 Penn State football team is it’s extremely deep. Just look at the number of players — standout players — the Nittany Lions have been without, and yet here they are, sitting at 9-2 after outclassing Rutgers, 55-10, on Saturday at SHI Stadium. Parker Washington is the latest casualty. The team’s top receiver and punt returner was apparently injured during the week, and his status for this Saturday vs. Michigan State and beyond is in question. Joey Porter Jr., the Lions’ star cornerback, missed his second-straight game ...

Highs & Lows

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 55-10 victory over Rutgers on Saturday at SHI Stadium: Play of the game: Curtis Jacobs sacked Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt, whose fumble was returned 70 yards by Ji’Ayir Brown for a touchdown that put the Nittany Lions up 35-10 with 14:06 left in the third quarter. If the game wasn’t over by then (and it was), this was an exclamation mark. Offensive player of the game: Kaytron Allen rushed for 117 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown. Defensive player of the game: ...