The Rose Bowl could be Sean Clifford’s storybook ending

What would a Rose Bowl win do for Sean Clifford’s legacy?

From being a leader in student-run NIL programs to breaking Penn State’s all-time passing record, Clifford has done a lot during his time in State College. In my opinion, few (if any) are more over-hated than Sean Clifford is, yet he continues to battle through adversity and give everything he has for Penn State football.

Love him or hate him, no one can deny that Clifford is a fighter, and his love for Penn State drives him above and beyond. Clifford has played through injury, played through the boos, and continues to put it all on the line for Nittany Nation.

Sure, there were a few bumps along the way — Penn State undoubtedly took a step back in 2020 and 2021 — yet here we are just days away from the Rose Bowl game.

For me, Sean Clifford’s legacy at Penn State is so much more than his on-field presence. It is who he is, how he represents Penn State, the programs that he has led and pushed forward for Penn State University, and more.

If that is not enough, Clifford has now led Penn State to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2016, could win it for the first time since 1995, and is doing this after breaking the Lions’ all-time passing record (with 10,382 college passing yards) earlier this season.

On one hand, Clifford is a record-holing Penn State QB with multiple 10-win seasons under his belt. On the other, Clifford has never beaten Ohio State, did not win the Big Ten (or Big Ten East), and did not make the College Football Playoff (CFP).

I believe that everyone’s mind has already been made up when it comes to Sean Clifford — whether that be a good thing or a bad thing is up in the air. Still, he has a shot at a storybook ending on January 2nd. What better way to send off a Penn State legend than a win over No. 8 Utah in the Rose Bowl game?