UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Sean Clifford was terrific during last year's win over Auburn, completing a sizzling 28 of 32 passes (88 percent) for 280 yards with two TDs, although he also threw one interception.
Oh, and for good measure, Jahan Dotson also completed one pass for 22 yards, so Penn State was 29 of 33 for 302 yards on the night.
It's almost impossible to lose a football game when you complete 29 of 33 passes. And clearly, that's what won last year's whiteout game, 28-20, since the Nittany Lions had only 84 yards rushing.
Could we see the same type of thing this week when Penn State visits Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday?
Auburn is 2-0 with wins over Mercer and San Jose State, but the Tigers' pass defense did not play well in Saturday's closer-than-expected 24-16 win. San Jose State's Chevan Cordeiro completed 24 of 40 passes (60 percent) for 275 yards, as the Spartans gave Auburn all it could handle.
Given what happened in last year's meeting, and that the pass defense has been shaky, this headline in a story at AL.com makes perfect sense: Auburn’s pass defense still a concern with Penn State matchup looming.
Here's what Auburn reporter Tom Green wrote in that story:
The Tigers’ secondary proved to be the weak link defensively for Auburn during its 24-16 win against San Jose State on Saturday. The Tigers gave up 275 yards through the air against the Spartans — the most by a non-Power 5 team against Auburn since Idaho threw for 356 yards in 2015 — as veteran quarterback Chevan Cordeiro completed 60 percent of his passes and kept SJSU’s upset hopes alive for much of the night.
The biggest issue for Auburn’s defense against San Jose State was chunk plays allowed through the air. The Tigers gave up seven passes of at least 15 yards; five of those completions went for at least 22 yards, with a long of 40 yards, as Cordeiro managed to find open pockets in the secondary throughout the evening.
Auburn coach Bryan Harsin said his DBs have to win more one-on-one battles. And if that was a problem against San Jose State receivers, you'd have to think it could be an issue against Penn State's Mitchell Tinsley, Parker Washington and others.
“You’ve got to win your one-on-one matchups on the outside, and some guys were put in a tough spot,” defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding said after the game, per the AL.com story. “… At the end of the day, it comes down to one-on-ones.”
Penn State's offense figures to be in a better spot this time around against Auburn, if Saturday's 46-10 thumping of Ohio is any indication. The Lions really had no running game to speak of in last year's game, but Nicholas Singleton is coming off a 179-yard performance against the Bobcats.
Of course, that was Ohio, and this is a strong SEC defense, on the road. To expect Singleton or any of the other running backs to tear up the Tigers would be questionable, but the running game should be stronger.
Still, Penn State will have to throw the ball well to win this game, which means Clifford has to be on target. Which he certainly was a year ago.
SINGLETON HONORED
In the first of what's sure to be many conference accolades, Singleton was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his performance against Ohio. He had touchdown runs of 70 and 44 yards, plus another 48-yard gain.
"It was a great start. I just saw daylight, give credit to my linemen ... so when I saw daylight I just went," Singleton told the Penn State in-house media department after the game.
"It feels good," he said of his huge game. "Obviously, my teammates push me every day to be great, my linemen do a great job, coaches. It helps me a lot."
CENTRAL MICHIGAN KICK SET
Penn State's game Sept. 24 against Central Michigan will kick off at noon at Beaver Stadium and will air on BTN.
The Chippewas are off to an 0-2 start, although they did score 44 points against Oklahoma State in a 58-44 loss. They fell this past week to South Alabama, 38-24.
ALCOHOL COMING TO BEAVER STADIUM
Penn State is in the process of trying to do everything it needs to do logistically to be able to sell alcohol to the general public for games at Beaver Stadium.
The latest step came Monday. From the university press release:
On Monday, Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) presented to the Penn State Board of Trustee’s Committee on Legal and Compliance a proposal to sell alcohol to the general public at Beaver Stadium. As had been previously acknowledged, the expansion of the sale of alcohol in Beaver Stadium has been under consideration and the University and ICA have been putting plans in place for this possibility. The University will still need to secure full Board of Trustees and other necessary approvals before proceeding.
Penn State Athletics is constantly looking for ways to provide additional amenities to fans to improve the game day experience. The 2021 Beaver Stadium Study suggested there was an ever-growing need to improve fan experience and amenities in a historical venue such as Beaver Stadium with one of those being the addition of the sale of alcohol in stadium. Revenue generated from the sale of alcohol will be utilized on deferred maintenance projects at Beaver Stadium.
Intercollegiate Athletics has made alcohol available for purchase in the club and suites areas at Beaver Stadium and Pegula Ice Arena since 2016, while the Bryce Jordan Center has been selling alcohol at select external events since 2015, which has proven safe and successful.