James Franklin and Sean Clifford have been through a lot during their time together in Happy Valley. With Clifford finishing his career in Monday’s Rose Bowl, the Nittany Lions were able to send the quarterback out on a high note.

With a pair of touchdowns and an efficient passing effort, Clifford was named the game’s offensive MVP as Penn State rolled to a 35-21 win over Utah in Pasadena. After winning 11 total games across the 2020-21 seasons, Clifford helped guide the Nittany Lions to an 11-2 record for the 2022 season.

After the game, one reporter tried to ask a question about the perceived “ups and downs” of Clifford’s career. It’s a question Penn State’s head coach was not having any part of.

“Sean, you had a Penn State career with so many ups and downs,” the reporter tried to ask.

“A lot of ups,” interjected Franklin.

“To end your career on a day like this,” the reporter eventually finished.

“A lot of ups, a few downs,” Franklin said in explanation of Clifford’s career for Penn State.

While Clifford appreciated his coach having his back, he went on to discuss those moments. Clifford said he depends on everyone else on the field to do his job well and was happy to be in that moment with a group of guys he considers brothers.

“I just can’t thank everybody enough for my experience at Penn State,” Clifford said. “I cherished every minute of it, the ups and the downs. I just couldn’t be more thankful.”