A Penn State backup QB did something no other Nittany Lion has done in 8 years

Penn State backup quarterback Sean Clifford got his first bit of game action as a redshirt freshman on Saturday during Penn State’s 51-6 win over rival Pitt.

Clifford replaced Trace McSorley late in the fourth quarter, and on his first snap of his college career, threw a beautiful 34-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Polk. According to Penn State Assistant Athletics Director of Strategic Communications Kris Petersen, Clifford did something that has not been done at Penn State in eight years.

.@seancliff14 connected with Brandon Polk on his first career pass attempt for a 34-yard touchdown pass. Clifford is the first Penn State QB to throw for a TD on his first career completion since Matt McGloin connected with Derek Moye for a 42-yard score vs Minnesota in 2010.

— Kris Petersen (@GoPSUKris) September 9, 2018

That pass was Clifford’s only attempt of the night, so he finished with a stat line 34 yards and a touchdown on 1 for 1 passing. According to Petersen, the last time a Nittany Lion quarterback threw a touchdown on his first completion was in 2010 with Matt McGloin.

Here is the touchdown, provided by Penn State beat writer Patrick Burns.

https://twitter.com/PatrickBurns_/status/1038630577526714368

Clifford might get a few more reps in Week 3, as Penn State hosts Kent State.