Sean Clifford departs to Penn State locker room, Drew Allar warming up

Penn State fans saw an unwelcome sight to start the second half against Purdue. Sean Clifford was heading back to the locker room — and Drew Allar started warming up.

It’s unclear why Clifford headed back, but he jogged off with the trainer as the Nittany Lions defense was on the field for the first series of the second half against the Boilermakers. His absence meant Allar took his first collegiate snaps after coming in as a highly touted recruit, going 2-for-4 for 26 yards.

Clifford then returned on the Nittany Lions’ next series.

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In the first two quarters of Penn State’s season opener, Clifford went 8-for-15 passing for 141 yards and two passing touchdowns, including a 67-yard score in the final seconds of the first half.

Allar was a big piece of Penn State’s recruiting class this year, coming in as a five-star recruit and the No. 28 player in the nation, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighed industry generated average.

Penn State connects on 67-yard touchdown in final seconds of first half

Penn State was in a tight battle with Purdue heading into the closing seconds of the first half. That changed in the final 30 seconds after a Boilermaker fumble. That led to a final drive for the Nittany Lions and a wild, rumbling score.

After a pass interference call and an incomplete pass to Mitchell Tinsley, Sean Clifford found Brenton Strange for a 67-yard breakout run to the end zone for six.

Zakee Wheatley forced Purdue wide receiver TJ Sheffield to fumble the ball where it was recovered by Joey Porter Jr. That led to the drive where a pair of shed tackles got Strange in for a touchdown after Clifford’s throw after the scramble.

Purdue had led the game twice in the first half. After giving up two late scores in the end zone, Penn State now takes a 21-10 edge into the half.