Penn State football’s top 10 single-game passing performances

Penn State has been playing football for an incredibly long time, but a 400-yard passing game remains a truly special achievement for the program. Zack Mills came just one yard shy of becoming the school’s first 400-yard passer in a single game with 399 yards against Iowa in 2002. It would be another 12 years before Penn State finally had a 400-yard passer in a single game.

Christian Hackenberg shattered the school’s single-game passing record with 454 yards in a season-opening victory against UCF in Dublin, Ireland in the Croke Park Classic in 2014. Since then, only one other player has thrown for 400 yards in a single game.

Sean Clifford joined Hackenberg in that exclusive company in 2021 with 401 yards against Villanova. It was the first time a Penn State quarterback had thrown for 400 yards in a single game played on American soil. With the way the game and offense is evolving, it won’t be the last.

Penn State has had a nice share of 300-yard passing games over the years, with 44 300-yard passing games officially on the books in program history after Clifford added four in 2021. Clifford now owns seven of Penn State’s 42 all-time 300-yard passing games in school history, and he is looking to add more going into the 2022 season.

Here is a look at Penn State’s top 10 all-time single-game passing performances, beginning with the high mark set by Hackenberg in 2014 in Ireland.

Christian Hackenberg

Aug 31, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) calls a play at the line during the first quarter against the Syracuse Orange at MetLife Stadium. Penn State defeated Syracuse 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

454 yards (2014 against UCF — Croke Park Classic)

Sean Clifford

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford passes during an NCAA college spring football game Saturday, April 23, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP…