UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State redshirt senior quarterback Sean Clifford has been named a semifinalist for The Wuerffel Trophy, it was announced on Wednesday. Clifford is one of 12 semifinalists.
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service," is presented annually to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from the University of Florida, Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy exists to honor college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society, and inspire greater service in the world. The award has honored over 1,400 nominees since its inception in 2005.
Sean Clifford Notes
- Clifford is in his third season as Penn State's starting signal caller, having played in 32 career games, making 27 starts.
- Clifford is a finalist for the NFF's William V. Campbell Trophy, awarded to the nation's top football scholar athlete and is a member of the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Class.
- Clifford, who was also named to the Allstate Good Works Team, owns a 3.45 cumulative GPA, graduated with a degree in public relations in December 2020 and is pursuing a second degree in journalism.
- Clifford is one of 25 quarterbacks being considered for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and is one of 40 candidates for the Davey O'Brien Award.
- Clifford began the 2021 season on the watch lists for the Manning Award, Reese's Senior Bowl and Wuerffel Trophy.
- Clifford is just one of four Penn State players all-time to reach 7,500-plus yards of total offense and one of five quarterbacks to reach 6,000 career passing yards.
- Clifford is one of 16 current FBS quarterbacks with 6,500 passing yards and over 860 rushing yards in his career.
- Clifford owns 24 career games with multi-TD passes, including nine with three or more TDs and three with four or more.
- The redshirt senior has tossed multiple touchdowns in a half on 14 occasions and nine different times has thrown multiple touchdowns in a quarter.
- Clifford owns six career games with at least 250 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.
- The quarterback has tossed five career touchdowns of 70-plus yards and has completed 89 career passes of 20 or more yards.
- Since 2000, Clifford's 65.2 completion percentage is the second-highest through eight games (minimum 200 attempts) by a Penn State quarterback, trailing only Trace McSorley (65.9% in 2017).
- Clifford has at least 2,000 passing yards and 13 passing touchdowns through the first eight games of a season for the first time in his career. He joins McSorley (2017), Christian Hackenberg (2013) and Matt McGloin (2012) as Penn State QBs to accomplish the feat since 2000.
- Since 2000, Clifford's 2,008 passing yards are the fifth-most through the first eight games of a season by a Penn State quarterback.
- Clifford ranks third in the conference in completions per game (21.5, 18th nationally), fourth in passing yards (2,008, 30th) and passing touchdowns (13, 43rd) and fifth in completion percentage (65.2, 39th).
- At Ohio State, Clifford completed a career-high 35 passes, for 361 yards and a touchdown, tying Matt McGloin's school record set against Northwestern in 2012.
- The redshirt senior, who found TE Brenton Strange for a 5-yard touchdown in the first quarter, attempted 52 passes against the Buckeyes, the fourth-most in a game at Penn State.
- Clifford connected with WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith on a 42-yard touchdown against Illinois.
- Against Indiana, Clifford threw three touchdown passes, connecting with Strange (10 yards) and WR Jahan Dotson (8 yards, 30 yards).
- Clifford became the fifth Penn State quarterback to reach 6,000 passing yards, against Indiana. He currently has 6,740 passing yards.
- Against Villanova, Clifford became the first Penn State quarterback to throw for at least 400 passing yards and four passing touchdowns in a game.
- He set career-high 401 passing yards and tied a career high with four passing touchdowns to earn Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors.
The formal announcement of the 2021 recipient will be made on December 9 on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN and the presentation of the 2021 Wuerffel Trophy will occur on February 25, 2022 at the 53rd All Sports Association Awards Banquet in Fort Walton Beach.
ABOUT THE WUERFFEL TROPHY
Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrate their impact, and inspire greater service in the world. A member of the National College Football Awards Association, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field. It is the first major award honoring the character of service to others.
The Wuerffel Trophy is named after Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Famer, former NFL quarterback, and renowned humanitarian Danny Wuerffel, whose life mission is to inspire greater service in the world. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the Gators' first National Football Championship as the team's star quarterback. The 1996 Heisman Trophy winner set 17 NCAA and Florida records and won a myriad of other awards including the Maxwell Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, and The William V. Campbell Trophy, presented to the nation's top scholar-athlete. As a nationally recognized humanitarian, Wuerffel inspires leaders to use their influence to make a positive impact.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and ticket information for the 2021 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
The 2021 Penn State football season is presented by PSECU.