Sean Clifford went 22-of-34 passing for 217 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns to lead No. 14 Penn State to a 33-14 home win over Central Michigan on Saturday in University Park, Pa.
Clifford threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, while Kaytron Allen rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries for Penn State (4-0).
Daniel Richardson was 26-of-45 passing for 235 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in defeat for Central Michigan (1-3), which committed four turnovers and had two touchdowns called back because of penalties.
Central Michigan gained 363 yards to 403 for Penn State but was hampered by eight penalties for 80 yards.
Penn State got off to a great start, taking a 14-0 lead not even nine minutes into the game.
The Nittany Lions took a 7-0 lead with 8:42 remaining in the first quarter on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Clifford to Mitchell Tinsley, then went up 14-0 on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Clifford to Brenton Strange with 6:38 left in the first.
But Central Michigan had an answer in the second quarter.
The Chippewas closed to within 14-7 on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Richardson to Finn Hogan with 12:39 left in the second quarter.
Central Michigan then tied the game at 14-14 with 6:25 remaining in the second after a 14-yard touchdown pass from Richardson to Joel Wilson.
Penn State got back on track with 1:58 to go in the second quarter, taking a 21-14 lead with 1:58 left until halftime on a 14-yard touchdown run by Allen.
With 11:55 left in the third quarter, Penn State took a 27-14 lead on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Clifford to Strange. The extra point was blocked.
The score remained that way until the fourth quarter, when Clifford scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give Penn State a 33-14 lead with 14:43 remaining after an unsuccessful 2-point pass.
–Field Level Media
