It’s official, ladies and gentlemen.

Sean Clifford will have the keys to the offense for Penn State football’s Homecoming game against Illinois Saturday afternoon.

JUST IN: Sean Clifford will start at quarterback for Penn State against Illinois. pic.twitter.com/L49Ddr7Jrs

— Onward State (@OnwardState) October 23, 2021

Despite sustaining an injury in the second quarter of the road loss to Iowa, the redshirt senior will be back behind center for the Nittany Lions this week. Clifford was announced as the starter just minutes before Penn State’s clash with the Fighting Illini at Beaver Stadium Saturday morning.

James Franklin noted during his Tuesday press conference that Clifford was doing everything he could to get back “as soon as possible.” Apparently the bye week was enough for the veteran quarterback to return to the field for the Homecoming game.

“He’s doing everything you possibly can to put him in the best position to come back as soon as possible — whenever that may be,” Franklin said. “We’ll see, but it won’t be because of a lack of effort on his part.”

After Clifford was knocked out against the Hawkeyes, Iowa battled back from a 17-3 deficit while Ta’Quan Roberson struggled for the Nittany Lions. The New Jersey native completed just seven passes worth 34 yards, threw two picks, and forced the Nittany Lions into eight false start penalties due to communication struggles.

Clifford will have a chance to bounce back against an Illinois team that comes into Beaver Stadium with a 2-5 record. The Fighting Illini are allowing 24.6 points per game thus far and a second-worst in the Big Ten 264.7 yards through the air.