ALTOONA, Pa. -- It was an up-and-down season for Penn State on the field ,and one of the major culprits was the play of the quarterbacks. Sean Clifford led the way, struggling mightily in the first five games of the season en route to an 0-5 start after the Nittany Lions entered the season ranked in the top 10.
Clifford had an impressive 2019 campaign, throwing for 2,654 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first year as a starter. As good as his 2019 season was, 2020 was equally bad. Clifford threw for 1,883 yards in a shortened 2020 season, but it was turnovers that crippled Penn State in the first five games.
At times, Clifford looked every bit of the player Penn State needs him to be. Case in point, these back-to-back throws against Iowa, when he came off the bench.
Sean Clifford didn't start today.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 21, 2020
He's come off the bench and thrown two passes, both @PennStateFball TDs. 👀 pic.twitter.com/qHtArzjltD
And at other times, well, he didn't look like he should be on the field.
Here is another look at the Sean Clifford interception. Just a horrible throw pic.twitter.com/sZuGw6Brv5
— Ben Ferree (@BFerree_) November 14, 2020
The above interception was one of the second-year signal-caller's nine interceptions on the season, eight of which came in the first five games. Those interceptions proved to be devastating during one of the worst periods of Penn State football in recent memory, and resulted in Clifford getting benched against Nebraska.
His backup, Will Levis, fared no better, turning the ball over himself, which led to Clifford returning to the field against Iowa.
Following those first five games, however, the Nittany Lions figured it out. Clifford threw only one interception in the final four games, all victories, with the lone interception coming against Rutgers.
Over those four games, Clifford completed 65.7 percent of his passes and accumulated 813 yards through the air. He also threw five of his 16 touchdowns over those games, and added two touchdowns on the ground.
Levis was incorporated in the game plan as a runner more than a passer, and had a 17-rush, zero-pass game against Rutgers. He rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns over the final four games and tossed a touchdown pass against Illinois.
Heading into 2021, the duo have a year under offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, and have a foundation on which to build. The growing pains existed early in the season, but there's quite a bit to look forward to under Ciarrocca in Year 2.
That said, Clifford and Levis are going to have to get more consistent. A lot of the issues early in the season came from Clifford trying to do too much, and to make things happen that just weren't there. Late in the season, Clifford was able to handle the game better and make better decisions by taking what was given to him rather than trying to make something from nothing.
Levis never got a big enough opportunity to prove what he could do as a starting quarterback, and rightfully so. It was, and is, Clifford's team, despite how badly he played at times. Levis was a serviceable backup with a 60 percent completion average and 421 yards passing yards.
While the package Ciarrocca employed with Levis at quarterback was perplexing at times, it did have some value in short-yardage situations. Levis is a powerful runner for a quarterback, and as of now, his niche looks to be of a Taysom Hill-type variety.
The way Penn State uses Clifford and Levis doesn't figure to change in 2021. In fact, as long as it's a productive wrinkle in the offense, it's not going anywhere.
Clifford is a redshirt junior, while Levis is a redshirt sophomore. That bodes well for Levis getting his chance in the near future, but until then, it's Clifford's team. Unless there's an injury, that's not changing anytime soon.
Clifford and Levis aren't the only quarterbacks on the roster or who got playing time, as redshirt freshman Ta'Quan Roberson saw action as well. He appeared late against Illinois but didn't have the opportunity to do much, as the game was significantly out of hand at that point.
Until the spring semester starts, the Nittany Lions have five quarterbacks on the roster, pending any transfers or things of that nature. Joining the three mentioned above are freshmen Micah Bowens and Mason Stahl. When Penn State returns to campus, quarterback Christian Veilleux will be a part of the incoming class that has enrolled early. Veilleux is not expected to compete for playing time right away, but quality depth is never a bad thing.
And if the Nittany Lions are able to replicate the play of Levis and Clifford during the final four games of 2020, they should be in great shape going into next season.