Penn State Takes Care Of Ball State

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — When Penn State hired Mike Yurcich to be its new offensive coordinator, the team’s backs and receivers were ecstatic. They knew there likely would be a lot of opportunities for all of them to make plays. The No. 11 Nittany Lions’ 44-13 win against Ball State on Saturday was the showcase they had in mind. Sean Clifford completed 21 of 29 passes for 230 yards, ran for a touchdown and threw for another on an afternoon that saw seven different players contribute scoring plays and 14 more touch the ball for an offense that rang up 493 total yards. Running back Noah Cain added a rushing touchdown and wide receiver Jahan Dotson added another, linebacker Jesse Luketa returned an interception 16 yards for a touchdown, and Jordan Stout kicked three field goals for the Nittany Lions (2-0). Backup quarterback Ta-Quan Roberson added a 23-yard touchdown pass to Theo Johnson to cap Penn State’s sixth straight win dating to last season.