Is Liam Clifford officially Penn State football's QB2? He's preparing like it just in case
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Terry Smith didn’t confirm that Liam Clifford was QB2 for Penn State football, but the interim head coach is prepared to use the wide receiver as a signal-caller against Michigan State as he continues to get practice reps with that group.
“Liam is taking snaps at quarterback,” Smith said about whether or not Clifford is the backup to Ethan Grunkemeyer. “Bekkem Kritza is back from having some healthy issues, so we have those two guys that we’re just trying to figure out certain packages that can work for both.”
Smith and his staff are likely hoping it doesn’t come to using a wide receiver or a true freshman, and Grunkemeyer stays upright the entire game agasint the Spartans. But with Jaxson Smolik unavailable, the Nittany Lions have to be prepared if lighting strikes again.
Accepting reality doesn’t make the situation any easier, however. The opponent, and more importantly the other Penn State players, don’t have any sympathy for the circumstances; they are prepared to give all they have for victory.
If either Clifford or Kritza see the field in East Lansing, and Grunk is healthy, it’s because the staff believes they can help win.
“They got to know the whole playbook,” Smith said. Otherwise, if you don’t think we call the right plays now, we get them guys in and you’ll really think we can’t call plays.
“We’re just trying to get them up to speed as much as possible and to expand the playbook to what they can handle.”
Smith has emphasized pushing the ball downfield through the air, so it’ll be a sight to see how the offense does Saturday afternoon, especially if someone other than Grunkemeyer is in at quarterback.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football continues preparing QB packages for Liam Clifford
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