STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford approached coach James Franklin in the fourth quarter of January's Rose Bowl and implored, "Do not take me out of this game."
Franklin smiled this spring at the memory, remembering how his sixth-year senior didn't want the moment to end as his team closed in on a decisive victory against Pac-12 champion Utah. But Franklin was also cognizant of an opportunity for the program's future. So Franklin called timeout with 2:30 to play and handed his offense to baby-faced backup quarterback Drew Allar, a true freshman.