Sean Clifford wins Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week after career day in Penn State win over Villanova

Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith goes for an 83-yard touchdown during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford throws during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Parker Washington splits Villanova defenders during the second quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher celebrates a sack during the second quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Cam Sullivan-Brown gets a pass interference call on Villanova defensive back Denzel Williams during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie sacks Villanova quarterback Daniel Smith during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford drops back during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith goes for an 83-yard touchdown during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receivers KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Parker Washington celebrate on the bench during the fourth quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher sacks Villanova quarterback Daniel Smith during the second quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State tight end Theo Johnson jumps over Villanova defensive back Isas Waxter during the first quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown gets an interception during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Villanova tight end Todd Summers jumps over Penn State safety Tyler Rudolph during the fourth quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Parker Washington hauls in a 23-yard touchdown in front of Villanova defensive back Kshawn Schulters during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher celebrates with defensive end Arnold Ebiketie after a sack during the second quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State running back Keyvone Lee steps put of the tackle of Villanova linebacker Forrest Rhyne as his helmet flies off during the first quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher pressures Villanova quarterback Daniel Smith during the second quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. tackles Villanova wide receiver Jaaron Hayek during the first quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich talks with offensive line coach Phil Trautwein during the fourth quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith goes for an 83-yard touchdown during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State running back John Lovett is tackled by Villanova defensive back Christian Benford during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State linebacker Jesse Luketa tackles Villanova quarterback Daniel Smith during the second quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith bobbles a pass into the arms of Villanova defensive back Kshawn Schulters during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford and head coach James Franklin look on during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Parker Washington outruns Villanova defensive back Ethan Potter for a 52-yard touchdown catch during the second quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown makes an interception that was called back for a penalty during the first quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford following the 38-17 win over Villanova on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith celebrates a tackle during the first quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson tight end Theo Johnson during the first quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State running back Keyvone Lee loses a shoe but keeps running during the first quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren plunges over Villanova linebacker Forrest Rhyne for a touchdown during the fourth quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher pressures Villanova quarterback Daniel Smith during the first quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson runs during the second quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State punter Jordan Stout during the second quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State head coach James Franklin meets with Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante following the 38-17 win over Villanova on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich during the fourth quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State tight end Brenton Strange runs after the catch during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State fans celebrate during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich talks with offensive line coach Phil Trautwein during the fourth quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State cheerleaders perform during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Marquis Wilson runs after the catch during the fourth quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie greets head coach James Franklin following the 38-17 win over Villanova on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State linebacker Charlie Katshir tackles Villanova running back Jalen Jackson during the fourth quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State running back John Lovett is tackled by Villanova linebacker Forrest Rhyne during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State celebrate a touchdown during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State head coach James Franklin joins with offensive linemen Juice Scruggs, Juice Scruggs, Bryce Effner and Mike Miranda on the way to the field on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State running back John Lovett runs during the fourth quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith celebrates with tight end Theo Johnson after his touchdown catch during the third quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford signs an autograph during the fourth quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State place kicker Jordan Stout boots an extra point during the second quarter on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich during warm ups before the Villanova game on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State offensive lineman Mike Miranda walks the field before the Villanova game on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State head coach James Franklin and his daughter Addy greet fans before the Villanova game on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State head coach James Franklin throws a ball during warm ups before the Villanova game on Sept. 25, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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STATE COLLEGE — Last week, James Franklin said he thought Sean Clifford should have been the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Penn State’s 28-20 win over Auburn.

It turns out the Penn State coach was just a week early for his quarterback to snag conference honors.

Clifford was named the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after he turned in a career day in Penn State’s 38-17 win over Villanova at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. It’s Clifford’s first Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor of his career.

Read more: Big Ten Power Poll: Badger QB makes more miscues, Gopher fans need their tissues, everyone else has their issues | Jones

Clifford was 19 of 26 for 401 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. The 401 yards were a career high for Clifford and the second-highest single-game total in Penn State history behind only Christian Hackenberg’s 454 in 2014. Clifford’s four touchdown passes tied a career high. He previously threw that many touchdown passes in a game twice in 2019.

The four touchdown passes gave Clifford 49 in his career, which moved him ahead of Hackenberg (48) and Matt McGloin (46).

Clifford shared honors with Northwestern running back Evan Hull who rushed 22 times for 216 yards and two touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 35-6 win over Ohio.

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Clifford threw four passes that covered at least 52 yards — the first time Penn State had that many big plays through the air since 2013 — including a pair of 52-yard touchdowns to wide receivers Jahan Dotson and Parker Washington and an 83-yard touchdown to wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith. The 83-yarder was the sixth-longest pass play in program history.

Clifford went over 300 yards for the fourth time in his career, a mark that is tied with Kerry Collins for the fourth-most in program history. He also moved into fifth place on Penn State’s career passing list with 5,890 yards.

Through four games this season, Clifford is 86 of 120 passing (71.67%) for 1,158 yards and eight touchdowns with only two interceptions.

Read more: Should Penn State be more concerned about its running game or Indiana? Lions-Hoosiers’ storylines

In Penn State’s win over Auburn earlier this month, Clifford turned in one of the best performances of his career by completing 28 of 32 passes (87.5%) for 280 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

Clifford is the first Penn State player to earn Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors since wide receiver KJ Hamler in October 2019.

Previously, Nittany Lions linebacker Brandon Smith earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Auburn, while kicker/punter Jordan Stout was the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for his outing at Wisconsin in the season opener.

Read more: Penn State moves into top 5 of Associated Press Top 25, continues rise in USA Today Sports Coaches Poll

Daniel Gallen covers Penn State for PennLive. He can be reached at dgallen@pennlive.com. You can follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Follow PennLive’s Penn State coverage on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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