Big Ten honors Clifford, but Porter Jr. biggest week one winner

Note: This story has been updated with the national award Porter received Tuesday.

ALTOONA, Pa. -- Sean Clifford earned a Big Ten weekly award for the third time in his career, but he was not the most highly regarded Penn State player following the Week 1 victory at Purdue.

That distinction seems to be going to cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who had quite a game in the Nittany Lions' 35-31 win.

Porter has drawn praise from across the football world after breaking up six passes and recovering a fumble. Purdue targeted him 14 times, and though he dropped an interception and was called for one pass interference in the end zone, the cornerback was up to the challenge on a bunch of throws his way.

Even though he was not named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, on Tuesday he was recognized as the Bednarik Award national Defensive Player of the Week.

In naming Porter the recipient, the Maxwell Football Club press release had this to say about his performance:

Penn State defensive back Joey Porter was named the Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week following Thursday’s win over Purdue. The 6’2 198-pound redshirt junior starred in the week 1 matchup with 8 solo tackles, a career-high 6 pass breakups, and his first career fumble recovery. Porter’s six pass breakups set a school record and tied a Big Ten record for the most pass breakups in a single game. The six pass breakups are tied for the most in a single game for an FBS player since Houston’s William Jackson III had seven against Temple in 2015.

Here's a look at Porter celebrating after the game with his father, former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter.

It's no secret that Porter Jr. has the potential to be a first-round draft pick. If so, he would be the first Penn State defensive back ever selected in the first round.

Here's a look at where the folks at NFL Mock Draft Database have him projected as of now.

Here's what some are saying about Porter Jr. after his big opening game.

CLIFFORD HONORED

Clifford was named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week after accounting for five touchdowns in Penn State's victory. He ran for one score and threw for four, including the game winner with 57 seconds to go after leading an 80-yard drive in 1:25.

Clifford finished 20-of-37 for 282 yards, and the four TD passes tied his career high. He also became just the third Penn State QB to reach 8,000 passing yards in his career, joining Trace McSorley (9,899) and Christian Hackenberg (8,457) on the list. Clifford appears certain to break McSorley's career record for passing yards.

Clifford threw a costly pick-6 that gave Purdue a 31-28 lead, and for a while it appeared that play would decide the game. But the Penn State defense held Purdue late to get the ball back, and Clifford was able to lead the game-winning drive.

"It's football, there's gonna be ups and downs," Clifford said of the nailbiting win. "Realistically it's a game of inches, and it literally was a game of inches. It was one catch away (for a Purdue receiver that would have sealed it), it barely hit the ground."

NEXT UP

Penn State hosts Ohio this week at Beaver Stadium. The Lions are favored by 24.5 points, and the over/under is 53.5.

The Bobcats are coming off a 41-38 victory over Florida Atlantic in their opener. Ohio threw for 345 yards, but also gave up 367 yards through the air.

Penn State is 5-1 all-time against Ohio, but the Bobcats beat the Lions in the last meeting in 2012. That game was the first after the sanctions and the first for Bill O'Brien as head coach, and Ohio stunned the Lions with a second-half comeback for a 24-14 victory.

AMOR GETS HIS DUE

Punter Barney Amor had a big game at Purdue, and Monday he was added to the watch list for the Ray Guy Award, which goes to the nation's top punter. Amor punted eight times and averaged 46.9 yards against the Boilermakers. He began his career at Colgate before transferring to PSU and eventually earning a scholarship last week.

CAIN ABLE TO SCORE

Former Penn State running back Noah Cain was part of the insane game between LSU and Florida State late Sunday night, with the Seminoles holding on for a 24-23 win as LSU scored with no time but had the PAT blocked.

Cain, who transferred to LSU this past offseason, carried seven times for 23 yards. He also had this 1-yard TD run.

WHAT IF?

The College Football Playoff will expand to 12 teams beginning if 2026, if not earlier. Penn State would have made a 12-team field each year fro 2016-19 had there been one.

The Athletic went back even further, to 1998, and compiled a breakdown of how many times every team in the country has finished in the top 12, and thereby would have made a 12-team playoff.

Penn State has had seven top-12 finishes: 1999, 2005, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.

Which teams have had the most top-12 finishes since 1998? Here's a breakdown:

1. Ohio State (19)
2. Oklahoma (16)
3. Alabama (13)
4. Florida (12)
5. Georgia (11)
5. LSU (11)
7. Florida State (10)
7. Oregon (10)
9. Notre Dame (9)
9. USC (9)
11. Boise State, Kansas State, TCU, Wisconsin (8)

BRENEMAN ON HACK

Tight end Adam Breneman and QB Christian Hackenberg were two elite recruits who came to Penn State after the scandal, and played a big role in helping other prospects choose the Lions, as well.

Breneman, now a TV analyst, posted the following video on Twitter with a good story about Hackenberg taking command in the starting quarterback race his freshman year.