WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Sixth-year quarterback Sean Clifford found junior running back Keyvone Lee in the end zone in the final minute of the game as Penn State hung on for a 35-31 season-opening victory over Purdue Thursday night.
The Nittany Lions entered the second half leading 21-10 thanks to a fumble recovery by redshirt junior cornerback Joey Porter Jr., which set up a 67-yard rumbling-and-bumbling touchdown grab by redshirt junior tight end Brenton Strange in the waning seconds of the first frame.
But Clifford did not start the second half for Penn State due to cramps in the second quarter and instead gave way to freshman and five-star recruit Drew Allar. Clifford returned after sitting out a series but not before Purdue’s sixth-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell led the Boilermakers on back-to-back touchdown drives to go up 24-21.
