Penn State Football: New-look offense doesn’t miss beat vs. Idaho
All eyes were on the Penn State football team Saturday as the offense had a new look with Sean Clifford under center and it didn’t disappoint.
No Trace McSorley or Miles Sanders? No problem. Penn State’s offense was a major question mark heading into the 2019 season, but it had no problem reaching the end zone again, and again, and again, and — you get the point.
Penn State scored 79 points in a 72-point win at home against Idaho in Week 1 and while the defense, too, was impressive, allowing just 145 total yards, but the offense took center stage because what other FBS team will score nearly 80 points in the opening weekend of the season? James Franklin doesn’t normally hold back and he didn’t on Saturday.
Sean Clifford, won the starting quarterback job and presumably forced Tommy Stevens to transfer to Mississippi State after spring ball, was impressive as he passed for 280 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-23 completions. He could afford to improve that accuracy, but he made some really nice touch throws and developed a great connection with KJ Hamler.
Not only did Hamler have a nice game with four catches for 115 yards and two scores, but five other pass-catchers had at least two receptions and 13 Nittany Lions caught a pass — that’s what you call spreading it out.
As for Sanders’ replacement in the backfield, freshman Devyn Ford led the way with 107 yards and a touchdown on just six touches while Noah Cain had 44 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. Journey Brown had five carries for 38 yards and two scores and Nick Eury had 44 yards and a touchdown while Clifford had 57 rushing yards of his own.
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Worried about the Penn State offense? Don’t be, the Nittany Lions have a wealth of weapons and showed that in a Week 1 blowout.