Sean Clifford accounted for four touchdowns as Penn State defeated a feisty Central Michigan team by the score of 33-14 on Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium.
After forcing a punt on the first drive of the game, Penn State got on the board first when Sean Clifford connected with Mitchell Tinsley on a five-yard touchdown pass that capped off a nine-play, 59-yard drive.
After Zakee Wheatley intercepted a pass from Daniel Richardson, Penn State capitalized in just three plays with a four-yard touchdown catch to Brenton Strange from Clifford to extend the lead to 14-0 to cap off a three-play, 15-yard drive.
Penn State led Central Michigan 14-0 after the first quarter.
Central Michigan got on the board in the second quarter when Ben Hogan scored on a two-yard touchdown reception from Richardson on fourth-and-goal that capped off an 11-play, 45-yard drive.
Central Michigan tied the game on their next possession when Richardson connected on a 14-yard touchdown pass to Joel Wilson on a drive that took nine plays and 67 yards.
Penn State went back on top on a 14-yard touchdown run by Kaytron Allen that capped off a five-play 34-yard drive set up by a 19-yard punt return by Parker Washington.
Penn State led Central Michigan 21-14 at halftime.
Early in the third quarter after a muffed punt by Central Michigan recovered by Curtis Jacobs, Strange scored his second touchdown of the day on a three-yard reception from Clifford. Jake Pinegar’s PAT attempt was blocked.
Penn State stopped a Central Michigan drive in the third quarter after Central Michigan drove down to the five-yard line.
Penn State led Central Michigan 27-14 at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Sean Clifford scored on a one-yard touchdown run that capped off a four-play, 52-yard drive that featured a 37-yard run by Allen and a 13-yard reception by Harrison Wallace III. The two-point conversion failed.
Where this game was won for Penn State was that they won the turnover battle four to zero, and they had the goal line stand in the third quarter that made all of the difference.
Penn State will play their first conference home game on Saturday when they host Northwestern, while Central Michigan will remain on the road when they travel to Toledo next Saturday.
