Penn State vs. Purdue postgame updates: Sean Clifford delivers, Lions win

Penn State defense locks up comeback win

The Nittany Lion defenders locked down on Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell, one of the best in the Big Ten and beyond.

Those confident defensive backs played aggressive and tight with the lead, knowing the Boilermakers needed a touchdown.

And the Boilers didn't come close.

It was the fitting end after Sean Clifford delivered one of the most impressive comeback drives you will see. Especially considering his previous second-half struggles.

Clifford completed six-of-seven passes the final time Penn State had the ball, leading the touchdown drive that produced the 35-31 victory.

The final pass was a perfect, soft touch to tailback Keyvone Lee for the short touchdown.

All of that came after Clifford struggled with cramps and his accuracy. His overthrown interception that was returned for a touchdown gave Purdue a fourth-quarter lead and all the momentum.

Clifford finished with four touchdown passes and that one bad interception. He was 20-of-37 throwing for 282 yards.

Sean Clifford rallies Lions in final two minutes

In the most back-and-forth game you'll see, Sean Clifford came up biggest at the end.

The senior quarterback saved his best performance for his final drive, leading the Nittany Lions to a stunning score with 57 seconds left and a 35-31 lead.

It was the seventh lead change of the night at Purdue.

The clinching play was Clifford's perfect, soft touch to running back Keyvone Lee, who scored the go-ahead points.

Purdue's best weapon: Charlie Jones

Quarterback Aidan O'Connell is a proven commodity for the Boilermakers. One of the top returning QBs in the nation.

But his best weapon against Penn State?

That would be a little-known transfer receiver from Iowa: Charlie Jones.

O'Connell threw to him from beginning to end, targeting him an incredible 17 times through the fourth quarter. Jones piled up 126 yards on 10 catches and scored a touchdown.

To think, he couldn't find enough playing time at Iowa?

Purdue's Chris Jefferson turns the game again

Just when everything seemed to be working again for Sean Clifford and Penn State.

After a first-down run, and protecting a fourth-quarter lead, the senior quarterback made his worst throw of the night. And Penn State paid dearly for it.

Clifford badly overthrew receiver Mitch Tinsley and Purdue defensive back Chris Jefferson intercepted. Not only that, he sprinted three-quarters of the field for the touchdown and the lead.

The Boilermakers lead 31-28 with 8:29 to play.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith flips momentum for Penn State

He's had as tough of a night as anyone.

Penn State junior receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith dropped two or three catchable balls earlier in the evening. A disappointing start for the guy with so much unfulfilled potential.

But there he was again early in the fourth quarter, PSU struggling to find anything offensively. Sean Clifford threw to him across the middle and Lambert-Smith did the surprising: He not only held on but kept his balance through a tackle attempt, spun and took off.

His 29-yard touchdown gave Penn State back the lead, 28-24 with 10:44 left.

The fifth lead change of the night.

Aidan O'Connell rallies Purdue to lead

The senior Purdue quarterback is tearing up the middle of Penn State's defense.

It doesn't help that the Lions are now missing linebackers Abdul Carter (ejected, targeting) and Curtis Jacobs (injury) and have had some suspect safety play.

Aidan O'Connell rifled the Boilermakers to their second third-quarter touchdown to take a 24-21 lead just before the fourth quarter.

He finished it by finding his favorite target, transfer Charlie Jones (8 catches, 101 yards), for the touchdown. O'Connell is now 22-of-38 passing for 282 yards.

Penn State's Drew Allar strong in debut

It's gone really fast for the Lions' prized quarterback recruit.

True freshman Drew Allar was named the team's top backup quarterback this week by head coach James Franklin. Then, he stunningly got into the Purdue game to start the second half.

Senior starter Sean Clifford jogged back into the locker room as the third quarter was starting, his defense on the field.

And he didn't come out.

So Allar, a 5-star recruit and perhaps the top high school QB in the nation, got his first field time in his first college game. He completed his first pass for a first down and also hit on his second.

He did misfire on another ball and threw incomplete on a second when he had an open lane to run for a first down.

His initial drive ended in a Penn State punt.

Another PSU true freshman looks like he belongs, too. Will Nick Singleton have more of a role in the second half?

Clifford to locker room, will Drew Allar play?

As Penn State's defense struggled to start the second half the news may have been worse on their other side: Quarterback Sean Clifford jogged back to the locker room just after the second half started.

He appeared to move without noticeable discomfort, but he did take a wicked low hit on a pass rush in the second quarter.

As Purdue mowed down the field to score, Penn State rookie QB Drew Allar warmed up on the sideline.

The Boilermakers quickly cut the Lions' lead to 21-17.

What's next for the PSU offense?

Penn State, Brenton Strange storm to halftime lead

It started with the perfectly-time turnover.

It ended with a senior quarterback buying time and making the perfect-enough throw.

Penn State's defense was trying to fight off a late first-half Purdue drive when safety Zakee Wheatley stripped the ball from a runner and Joey Porter, Jr. recovered.

The Lions had the safe lead but went into attack mode anyway.

Clifford dropped back to pass with less than 20 second left. He bought time by rolling to his right, near the sideline. That's when he spied an easy target, starting tight end Brenton Strange, open downfield. He lofted the ball well enough to allow Strange to pull it in.

From there, Strange barreled around and through Purdue would-be tacklers, finishing off the 67-yard play in the end zone.

Penn State scored two seconds before halftime.

The Lions grabbed momentum in aggressive fashion, leading 21-10 at the break.

Clifford was 8-of-15 passing in the first half for 141 yards with two touchdowns. He ran for the other.

Zakee Wheatley creates turnover for Lions

Penn State's hyped redshirt freshman safety came up big again.

Zakee Wheatley was dubbed the Lions' "Turnover King" during preseason camp, meaning he caused the most interceptions and fumbles.

He did it again at the perfect time tonight. With Purdue driving for the potential lead late in the first half, he ripped the ball away on a jet sweep with teammate Joey Porter, Jr. recovering.

That would set up a first-half ending, dramatic score.

Clifford warming up, drives Lions to payoff

Sean Clifford doesn't have the big numbers yet.

But he looked most comfortable running Penn State's offense at the end of the first half. He ran for one crucial first down early on. He eventually finished it all with a 2-yard sneak into the end zone.

In between, he used his feet in the pocket and made smart passing decisions.

His pass game has only been successful with short and intermediate routes so far, but it's working well enough.

Penn State leads, 14-10, with 1:44 before halftime.

Purdue responds quickly, Abdul Carter ejected for targeting

The drive began ominously enough for the Penn State defense: Rookie linebacker Abdul Carter got flagged for a personal foul and was ejected for targeting when he hit a Purdue receiver after dropping a pass behind scrimmage.

It was a tough ruling, considering Carter may have thought the ball was live.

Nonetheless, the Boilermakers got the yards and QB Aidan O'Connell took advantage, quickly pushing his team into scoring position.

A nice, bouncing short run by King Doerue finished it for the go-ahead score.

Purdue, 10-7, midway through the second quarter.

Penn State takes lead: Clifford to Tinsley

Sean Clifford ran an impressive, diversified third drive of the game.

He cashed it in with a quick flip to the left side for senior transfer Mitch Tinsley, who glided into the end zone for the short touchdown and a 7-3 lead. Freshman running back Kaytron Allen provided a nice burst along the way.

The long drive chewed away the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second here in West Lafayette, Indiana.

It could have been even easier. Clifford had two big-gain passes dropped earlier on the drive, the first by sure-handed Parker Washington, the second by KeAndre Lambert-Smith.

Aidan O'Connell gets just enough

The other sixth-year quarterback tonight, Purdue's Aidan O'Connell, looks comfortable tossing it around early on.

He led an impressive second drive, driving the Boilermakers between the 20s, connecting best with Iowa transfer Charlie Jones.

At least Penn State's defense held tough in the red zone, just like they did so often last season.

Purdue settled for a 35-yard field goal to go up 3-0, late first quarter.

The big miss? Penn State's Joey Porter, Jr. had an interception in his hands early in the drive but could not hold on.

Nick Singleton gives Lions lift

It didn't take long for Penn State's hyped rookie to make an impact.

Nick Singleton was the feature running back on the Nittany Lions' second series tonight at Purdue. He promptly ran the ball on three-straight plays.

His first might have been his best: Great acceleration and feet to gain nine yards. He carried twice more before Penn State had to punt the ball away for a second time.

But, certainly, his presence was felt quickly.

The game was still scoreless midway through the first quarter.

Eyes on Penn State new guys

The intrigue of a season-opener is fueled by long expectations: What can new performers like Mitch Tinsley, Nick Singleton and Chop Robinson provide after being talked about for months?

The time is now and don't be surprised if these are three of Penn State's top producers against Purdue tonight.

Tinsley is experienced on multiple college levels and gets better each times he steps up in competition. Opponents cannot focus on No. 1 receiver Parker Washington alone. So Tinsley, the Western Kentucky transfer, could hit the Boilermakers by somewhat of surprise tonight.

My numbers guess: 7 receptions, 91 yards, a touchdown.

Singleton will not start at tailback but surely will receive early looks. He's been receiving rare true freshman raves from coaches and teammates leading up to his first game, which verifies his rarified recruiting rankings. He should get 10 to 12 carries and could push 100 yards if his blockers stay focused.

Penn State-Purdue pick: Penn State prediction: Are Nittany Lions finally tough enough vs. Purdue?

Then there's Robinson, the Maryland transfer and former 5-star recruit. He probably will not start, either. But he will fill in for Nick Tarburton and Adisa Isaac at defensive end, especially on passing downs. Remember Arnold Ebiketie's dramatic input as a pass rusher last season? Robinson doesn't need to dominate at that level to be a success, especially with multiple college seasons remaining.

But expect Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell to meet him up close, at least once or twice tonight.

Penn State offense on alert

The Penn State offense will be front and center Thursday night in Ross-Ade Stadium.

There's certainly some well-warranted pressure to produce for the unit under the command of second-year coordinator Mike Yurcich and six-year quarterback Sean Clifford.

The Nittany Lions are still searching for their first true dominant offensive line under head coach James Franklin but, honestly enough, even a relative minor level of improvement there for Week One should suffice. If they can protect Clifford and open room for those promising tailbacks, everything else should take care of itself against Purdue.

Because the expected fight between Penn State's stocked defensive secondary and Purdue's robust passing game should be an expected give-and-take.

The Lions need not offer much in special teams, just avoiding major breakdowns.

Offense, rather, is where they have so much more to gain.

Is PSU good enough at receiver?Penn State vs. Purdue: Where to watch, what to know

Remember, under the coveted Yurcich, Penn State scored 30 or more points only three times last year −two coming against Ball State and Villanova, which doesn't count for much. The Lions were one of the worst teams in the nation running the ball.

Their offense, then, will be the most critiqued unit on the field tonight.

Check in all Thursday evening with game updates and analysis from the Big Ten and season opener.

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on Twitter @YDRPennState. 

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football score vs. Purdue Boilermakers in Big Ten