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Game Recap
If the Penn State Nittany Lions were riding high off their 28 to nothing takedown of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights last week, that ride came to an abrupt end. It was close but no cigar for the Nittany Lions as they fell 30-27 to the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday. Penn State might have entered gameday a little too confident, resting on the laurels of their 39-24 win against MSU when they previously met last December.
It was another big night for the Spartans' QB Payton Thorne, who passed for two TDs and 268 yards on 30 attempts in addition to rushing for one TD and 39 yards. RB Kenneth Walker III and his 138 yards on the ground were another key factor in MSU's victory.
MSU's defense was a presence as well, as it got past Penn State's offensive line to sack QB Sean Clifford four times for a total loss of 26 yards. The heavy lifting was done by DE Drew Beesley and DE Brandon Wright, who each racked up 1.5 sacks.
Penn State's loss came about despite a quality game from WR Jahan Dotson, who caught eight passes for two TDs and 137 yards.
The defeat dropped the Nittany Lions' record to 7-5. The victory improved the Spartans' record to 10-2. With that, the East Division playoffs come to an end.
