Back to the Penn State Nittany Lions Newsfeed

‘A born leader’: How Sean Clifford will push to replace Penn State’s Trace McSorley in 2019

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford makes a pass during the Citrus Bowl against Kentucky on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019 at Camping World Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com

Sean Clifford’s body was slammed to the turf repeatedly on Dec. 3, 2016. Sacked a title-game record nine times, the St. Xavier star was forced to leave the Ohio Division I state championship game at Ohio Stadium twice due to injury.

“He was beaten senselessly play after play,” said Steve Specht, Clifford’s coach at St. Xavier. “And he kept getting back up, and he kept swinging. And he led us to a state championship.