Midway through the second quarter of Penn State’s game with Iowa on Saturday, Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford took a hit from Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell on a third-down passing play. Clifford went to the locker room and didn’t return to the game.

Clifford was on the sideline, not in uniform during the second half.

Campbell later commented on the hit. “I knew where their slide was going. I had an opportunity to take a free shot. And I just tried to make it as clean as possible. I just tried my hardest to hit him as hard as I could.”

Clifford had led the Penn State offense to three scoring drives and a 17-10 lead prior to the injury, and was 15-for-25 passing with 146 yards — he also rushed for 36 yards on three carries. He scored on a 4-yard run that gave Penn State a 17-3, but also threw for two interceptions.

The Nittany Lions struggled right away after Clifford left the game. Backup quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson fumbled on the first snap, and then had his offense called for three consecutive false starts after the crowd caused problems with the offensive line hearing the count.

An update on Clifford’s injury has yet to be released.

Penn State, now 5-1, fortunately has a bye week, and then a home game with Illinois before heading to Ohio State on Oct. 30. They’ll need a healthy Clifford back behind center to stand any chance in Columbus.