WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Sixth-year quarterback Sean Clifford found junior running back Keyvone Lee in the end zone in the final minute of the game as Penn State hung on for a 35-31 season-opening victory over Purdue Thursday night.
The Nittany Lions entered the second half leading 21-10 thanks to a fumble recovery by redshirt junior cornerback Joey Porter Jr., which set up a 67-yard rumbling-and-bumbling touchdown grab by redshirt junior tight end Brenton Strange in the waning seconds of the first frame.
But Clifford did not start the second half for Penn State due to cramps in the second quarter and instead gave way to freshman and five-star recruit Drew Allar. Clifford returned after sitting out a series but not before Purdue’s sixth-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell led the Boilermakers on back-to-back touchdown drives to go up 24-21.
In the fourth quarter, Clifford guided Penn State on another touchdown drive, this time finding third-year receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a 29-yard touchdown that gave the Nittany Lions a 28-24 lead with under 11 minutes to go in the contest.
The Nittany Lions gave their lead right back three minutes later as Clifford airmailed a throw intended for fifth-year receiver Mitch Tinsley, allowing Jefferson to go the length of the field and put Purdue up again by three.
But it was Lee, who was held in check running the ball all game long, who contributed to Penn State’s passing attack at a critical juncture in the contest.
Purdue had one final shot from its own 42-yard line with seven seconds to go, but the Nittany Lions’ defense withstood the Boilermakers’ last-gasp effort to escape with a victory.
Key stat: Better late than never. Penn State’s defense may have given up 426 yards of total offense and 31 points, but it showed up in a big way in the fourth quarter. Purdue got back-to-back touchdowns in the third quarter yet was held to a sole touchdown in the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, the Boilermakers racked up only 65 yards of total offense and O’Connell was only 7 of 20 passing.
Purdue may have gotten plenty of yardage, but defensive coordinator Manny Diaz’s bend-but-don’t-break defense down the stretch was enough to give Penn State’s offense ample chances to take the lead. Clifford and company needed every one of them and made the most of their last opportunity thanks to the Nittany Lions’ stout fourth-quarter defense.
Up next: Penn State will look to continue its winning start when it faces the Ohio Bobcats in the Nittany Lions’ home opener. The Nittany Lions hold a 5-1 advantage over Ohio in all-time matchups. The Nittany Lions won the first five matchups but lost the most recent one 24-14 in 2012.
The Bobcats went 3-9 in 2021 and only won a trio of conference games. Penn State’s first three contests feature two stiff road tests, as Auburn is the week after.
But before the Nittany Lions turn the corner, they’ll have to take care of business at Beaver Stadium.
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