The Gophers won't be the only team with uncertainty at quarterback when they play No. 16 Penn State on Saturday night in State College, Pa.
Nittany Lions coach James Franklin on Tuesday did not have an update on sixth-year senior Sean Clifford, who left Saturday's 41-17 loss at Michigan because of an undisclosed injury. Clifford completed seven of 19 passes for 120 yards before leaving the game in the third quarter after being sacked. He left the sideline injury tent without shoulder pads.
"Unless it's a season-ending injury, I typically don't announce [a player's specific status],'' Franklin said. "It's Tuesday, and we haven't even practiced yet, so it's hard for me to give you guys an answer that helps you do your job. Nothing has changed with the plan or the model at this stage.''
Gophers sixth-year senior Tanner Morgan left Saturday's game at Illinois after taking a hit to the head and, like Clifford, his status has not been determined.
In Clifford's place, true freshman Drew Allar took over and went 5-for-10 for 37 yards. Allar, a five-star recruit from Medina, Ohio, was the nation's third-ranked quarterback in the recruiting Class of 2022 in the 247Sports composite ratings of major recruiting services.
There has been some groundswell from the Penn State fan base for Franklin to play Allar, especially since Clifford completed a career-low 36.8% of his passes against Michigan. The coach was having none of it.
"There's a lot of different things I would say. No. 1, that's the wrong message, the wrong signal,'' Franklin said. "Sean has earned the right to be on the field. That doesn't mean that Drew hasn't done some good things. Would we love to get him an opportunity and continue to grow him and continue to develop him for his future? No doubt about it.''
Morgan update
