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James Franklin discusses starting QB situation following loss to Nebraska
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It appears that we have a full blown quarterback controversy in Happy Valley.
On Saturday, things went from bad to worse for Penn State as the Nittany Lions dropped to 0-4 as they fell to previously winless Nebraska 30-23. One of the big things on the minds of Nittany Lions fans is who should be playing quarterback.
That answer seems very much up in the air at this point. Especially based on what head coach James Franklin had to say after the loss:
https://twitter.com/audsnyder4/status/1327715818168205312?s=21
The race is currently between Sean Clifford and Will Levis. Clifford came into this season expected to be the man to lead the Nittany Lion offense.
There was reason to believe in Clifford after a 2019 season where he threw for 2,654 yards, 23 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
But any confidence Clifford garnered in 2019 has dissipated. Through four games, Clifford is 69-for-122 for 859 yards, 9 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Saturday’s game against Nebraska might have been the worst as he turned the ball over twice and was benched in favor of Levis.
Levis’ name became a household one with Penn State fans during the Ohio State game in 2019 when Clifford went down with an injury. Though the Nittany Lions lost that game, fans saw some potential in Levis.
With Clifford stumbling all over the field in 2020, the yelling for Levis to take over grew louder and louder and seemed to come to a tipping point as he took over for Clifford in the game in Lincoln.
Coming into a game where Penn State was flat out reeling, Levis seemed to bring some confidence as he went 14-for-31 for 219 yards. He nearly helped lead the Nittany Lions all the way back to a victory but came up just short.
Despite not completing the comeback, it’s very likely Levis will be the man under center in Week 5 against Iowa.