Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford waves to fans
Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford waves to fans after beating the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
Joe Coles
By Joe Coles
Joe covers University of Utah sports for the Deseret News.

PASADENA — With Penn State up 35-14 over Utah on Monday at the Rose Bowl, Nittany Lions coach James Franklin called a timeout.

He called for his quarterback, Sean Clifford, to exit the game.

The senior jogged off the field in Pasadena for the final time as a member of Penn State to a standing ovation from the white-clad Nittany Lions faithful.

Clifford’s six-season career ended with a curtain call after leading Penn State to its first Rose Bowl win since 1995.

Clifford exited the game in tears, hugging nearly every one of his teammates and coaches on the sideline.

“It means a lot, just being able to see all my teammates on the sideline with smiles on their faces,” Clifford said of the curtain call.

“Just being able to see those faces of my teammates, it just means the world. I couldn’t be prouder to be a Penn Stater.”

It was an ideal ending for Penn State’s all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns, the player who has been Penn State’s starting quarterback since 2019.

“I wanted to take a moment for him to come out of the game and be recognized because Sean has experienced it all at Penn State, he really has,” Franklin said.

It was a full-circle moment for Clifford. He took a trip to the Rose Bowl Game when he was in fifth grade, flying out with his dad. All these years later, he won it in his final collegiate game and was named the offensive MVP of the contest.

“I couldn’t have wrote the script any better for Sean Clifford to be the offensive MVP,” Franklin said.

Franklin, who had lost 11 straight games against top 10 teams, finally won the big game. In his ninth season at the helm at Penn State, Franklin was mobbed by players after the final whistle.

He hugged safety Ji’Ayir Brown so hard that both of them fell to the ground, and Nittany Lions players doused Franklin in Gatorade and a bucket of roses.

Somewhere along the way, Franklin’s glasses were knocked off. They were eventually found on the field and returned to him postgame.

Related
Utah football’s season ends on a low as Penn State pulls away to win the Rose Bowl
What Kyle Whittingham said about Cam Rising’s Rose Bowl injury
Highlights, key plays and photos from Utah’s 35-21 Rose Bowl loss to Penn State

Clifford, who had an up-and-down career at Penn State, was the best player on the field on Monday, throwing for 279 yards and two touchdowns.

He went 16 for 22, didn’t make a mistake, and looked every bit a four-year starter. He was calm and in command of Penn State’s offense all game.

“(Penn State’s) quarterback was exceptional. High completion percentage, threw for a bunch of yards,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.

Clifford delivered what was essentially the game-sealing touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, as his 88-yard strike to a wide-open KeAndre Lambert-Smith gave Penn State a 14-point cushion.

“Defense got big-played,” Whittingham said of his team. “That’s evidenced by over 400 yards of offense by Penn State.

“Only 15 first downs. That’s not a lot of first downs, which means they’re getting some big-chunk-yardage plays, which definitely led to our demise.”

The 88-yarder was the longest pass completion in Clifford’s career.

“It was up for debate whether we wanted to take a shot. It was third down and 4, and I’d been seeing the same look all game, so I was definitely a proponent for taking that shot, and I know KeAndre wanted it, too,” Clifford said.

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“Great players make great plays, and KeAndre did. Anybody could have thrown that one. Kudos to Dre.”

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Utah Utes QB Cameron Rising (7) sits on the field after getting injured as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Mitchell Tinsley 5 runs with the ball while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Cameron Rising 7 runs with the ball while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Ja'Quinden Jackson 3 celebrates scoreing a touchdown while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Sean Clifford 14 throws the ball while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Ja'Quinden Jackson 3 scores a touchdown while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Cameron Rising 7 is runs and is tackled while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Cameron Rising 7 gestures a first down he scored while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Jan Mahlert 84 celebrates a first down while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Jaylen Dixon 25 runs with the ball while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Jan Mahlert 84 is tackled with the ball while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Kaytron Allen 13 falls and rolls from a tackle while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Kaytron Allen 13 runs with the ball while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Tyler Warren 44 is tackled with the ball while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Nicholas Singleton 10 scores a touch down against the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes cheerleaders perform before the Penn State Nittany Lions play the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Money Parks 10 runs with the ball while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Money Parks 10 runs with the ball while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Nicholas Singleton 10 is tackled with the ball while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Nicholas Singleton 10 runs with the ball while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Jets fly over the stadium before the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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The Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin talks to officials after the Utah Utes score a touchdown in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes' Thomas Yassmin (87) scores a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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The Penn State Nittany Lions' Nicholas Singleton (10) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes' Zemaiah Vaughn (16) interferes with the Penn State Nittany Lions' KeAndre Lambert-Smith (1) in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes marching band sits before the Penn State Nittany Lions play the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes RB Micah Bernard (2) fights to regain his balance as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes QB Cameron Rising (7) runs out of the pocket as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes RB Ja'Quinden Jackson (3) dives forward during a run as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes QB Cameron Rising (7) begins a slide during a run as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes QB Cameron Rising (7) runs out of the pocket as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes CB Zemaiah Vaughn (16) defends Penn State Nittany Lions WR Harrison Wallace III (6) in the end zone as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes CB Zemaiah Vaughn (16) is called for pass interference on Penn State Nittany Lions WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith in the end zone as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Cheerleaders run out after an extra point as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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A Utah fan holds a a giant block U as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions CB Kalen King (4) intercepts a pass in front of Utah Utes WR Devaughn Vele (17) as they play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Fans cheer during the game as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes fans watch players enter before they play the Penn Sate Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Two B-1 Lancer bombers do a flyover of the stadium as Utah and Penn State prepare to play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes TE Thomas Yassmin (87) flexes after catching a touchdown pass as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah runs out of the tunnel as they and Penn State prepare to play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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The Barrow family from Layton, Utah, take photos in front of the Rose Bowl as they prepare to watch Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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The Streiff family from Farmington, Utah, pose for a photo before watching Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Fans line up to get merchandise prior to Utah and Penn State playing in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes players put on their helmets before they play the Penn Sate Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn Sate Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin and Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham shake hands before playing in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham and Utah Utes QB Cameron Rising (7) listen to a official as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes TE Thomas Yassmin (87) celebrates a touchdown with teammates as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes QB Cameron Rising (7) warms up as Utah and Penn State prepare to play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes cheerleaders pose for a photo during warmups as Utah and Penn State prepare to play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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The Goodyear blimp circles overhead as Utah and Penn State prepare to play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah players run out onto the field as they prepare to play Penn State in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah and Penn State prepare to play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah players run out onto the field as they prepare to play Penn State in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah fans watch as Utah and Penn State prepare to play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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A Utah fan holds up his U as Utah and Penn State prepare to play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes TE Taniela Pututau (84) receives a kiss after the game as Utah falls 35-21 to Penn State in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes WR Solomon Enis (21) sits on the field as Utah falls 35-21 to Penn State in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes WR Solomon Enis (21) tosses his helmet to a fan as he leaves the field as Utah falls 35-21 to Penn State in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham walks off the field with his team as Utah falls to Penn State in the Rose Bowl 35-21 in Pasadena California on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham walks off the field with his wife Jamie Whittingham after Utah fell to Penn State 35-21 in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Cameron Rising, left, walks onto the field before playing the Penn Sate Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn Sate Nittany Lions players walk off their bus before playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Brant Kuithe (80) Hans a fan a signed ball before playing the Penn Sate Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Cameron Rising warms up before playing the Penn Sate Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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A Penn Sate Nittany Lions fan waits as team buses arrive at the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Cameron Rising, left, walks onto the field before playing the Penn Sate Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn Sate Nittany Lions players walk off their bus before playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Cameron Rising warms up before playing the Penn Sate Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lion players celebrate beating the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lion players celebrate beating the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lion players celebrate beating the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Sean Clifford 14 puts on his championship hat after beating the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Sean Clifford 14 runs towards the center of field after beating the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Sean Clifford 14 waves to fans after beating the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Solomon Enis 21 sits in defeats after loosing to the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham walks off with his wife Jamie after loosing to the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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The Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin and Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham shake hands after Penn state won the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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The Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin is surrounded by players as they celebrate beating the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Jaylen Dixon 25 runs the ball for a first down and is tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions players during the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Jaylen Dixon 25 runs the ball for a first down while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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The Penn State Nittany Lions marching band and fans sing Sweet Caroline while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Jonathan Sutherland 0 recovers a fumble ball while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Nicholas Singleton 10 is tackled with the ball by Utah Utes Cole Bishop 8 in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes back-up quarterback Bryson Barnes 16 throws the ball while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Ja'Quinden Jackson 3 runs the ball for a first down while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Jaylen Dixon 25 runs the ball for a touchdown while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Kaytron Allen 13 runs the ball for a touchdown while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions KeAndre Lambert-Smith 1 runs the ball for a touchdown while Utah Utes Cole Bishop 8 trails in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes punter Jack Bouwmeester 34 lays on the field after being hit by a Penn State Nittany Lions player during the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions KeAndre Lambert-Smith 1 gestures towards the crowd while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Jaylen Dixon 25 runs the ball and is tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions Ji'Ayir Brown 16 in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Ja'Quinden Jackson 3 runs the ball for a first down and is tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions Keaton Ellis 2 in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes players pay tribute to Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions Sean Clifford 14 holds his MVP trophy after beating the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes Jaylen Dixon 25 runs the ball for a touchdown while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions' Sean Clifford (14) runs the ball but is tackled short of the endzone while playing the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. The Penn State Nittany Lions won 35-21. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Utes QB Cameron Rising (7) passes over Penn State Nittany Lions LB Kobe King (41) as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes QB Cameron Rising (7) runs just before being hurt and leaving the game as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes fans watch in frustration as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Penn State Nittany Lions fans celebrate after a touchdown as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes fans watch in frustration as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes WR Devaughn Vele (17) tries to get away from Penn State Nittany Lions LB Curtis Jacobs (23) as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes QB Cameron Rising (7) is tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions CB Kalen King (4) as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes QB Bryson Barnes (16) is hit hard by Penn State Nittany Lions LB Robbie Dwyer (39) as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes LB Mohamoud Diabate (3) tries to knock the ball down as Penn State Nittany Lions QB Sean Clifford (14) passes as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes QB Cameron Rising (7) is hit and injured during a run, causing him to leave the game as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes QB Cameron Rising (7) is helped off the field after getting injured on a run as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes fans watch in frustration as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes RB Micah Bernard (2) is hit and tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions LB Tyler Elsdon (43) and S Keaton Ellis (2) as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes DE Chase Kennedy (13) looks up at the scoreboard as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah Utes WR Devaughn Vele (17) is hit early by Penn State Nittany Lions S Keaton Ellis (2) on a pass play and interference was called as Utah and Penn State play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Penn State won 35-21. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

With Utah quarterback Cameron Rising out because of injury, Utah never could get going on offense in the second half, only scoring one touchdown in the final two quarters — and that came in garbage time.

Following the celebration and the postgame press conference, Clifford returned to the empty Rose Bowl field, soaking in the moment one final time, walking around the end zone before exiting through the tunnel with a rose in his hat and a Rose Bowl champions T-shirt on in his final moment as a Nittany Lion.

“I just respect, love and appreciate every single man that has came through Penn State’s program and impacted me in whatever way,” Clifford said, “whether that be coaches, administration, staff, and especially my teammates.”

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