Penn State powers past Michigan State: Nittany Lions snap six-game Big Ten losing streak with 28-10 win

Final: Penn State 28, Michigan State 10

Penn State finally snapped its six-game losing streak with a controlled 28-10 win at Michigan State on Saturday at Spartan Stadium, claiming the Land Grant Trophy for the third consecutive year for the first time since 2004-06. The Nittany Lions relied heavily on their record-chasing duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, who combined for 237 yards on the ground.

The win marked Penn State's first since Sept. 13, four weeks prior to the firing of longtime coach James Franklin, and provided interim coach Terry Smith with a morale-boosting victory that keeps the Nittany Lions' bowl chances alive. Meanwhile, it's the seventh-consecutive loss for Michigan State -- which has won just two Big Ten games under Jonathan Smith, but both were recently vacated as part of an NCAA settlement.

Penn State's defense wreaked havoc on Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic in his second career start. The redshirt freshman was sacked four times while completing 15 of 23 passes for 116 yards, and the Spartans managed just three points after their opening-drive touchdown on Elijah Tau-Tolliver's 57-yard sprint.

Dani Dennis‑Sutton was a force for the Nittany Lions with two sacks, a quarterback hurry and a blocked punt on special teams -- his third of the season.

Penn State returns home next week to host Nebraska and coach Matt Rhule -- once believed to be a candidate for the coaching vacancy in Happy Valley. Michigan State travels to Iowa.

Late 4Q: Penn State 21, Michigan State 10

Just as Michigan State looked poised to respond, Penn State's defense struck again. Zion Tracy forced a fumble on a sack of Alessio Milivojevic, and the Nittany Lions recovered with 3:15 remaining -- potentially sealing the game.

Late 4Q: Penn State 21, Michigan State 10

After another sack by Dani Dennis‑Sutton -- his second of the game -- Michigan State's hopes for a touchdown drive were dashed. Penn State responded with a 13-play, 76-yard drive that chewed up 9 minutes and 5 seconds off the clock.

The Nittany Lions have barely thrown in the second half -- just an incompletion to tight end Luke Reynolds and an end-around to Devonte Ross for a 4-yard touchdown to extend the lead. The offense has relied on punishing work on the ground, with Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton carrying the load and a scrambling Ethan Grunkemeyer keeping the chains moving. Allen has 111 yards on 22 carries, while Singleton has 56 yards on 15 touches.

With Michigan State putting up only three points since their opening drive, closing a two-score deficit has become a monumental task.

End 3Q: Penn State 14, Michigan State 10

Alessio Milivojevic completed consecutive passes and had a receiver wide open for what looked like a sure touchdown, but Dani Dennis-Sutton brought him down with a sack just before the throw. The Spartans now face a daunting second-and-22 to start the fourth, needing to engineer a touchdown drive.

Late 3Q: Penn State 14, Michigan State 10

Michigan State's offense is really struggling. Alessio Milivojevic has completed just one of his last five passes and missed an open Nick Marsh on a third-down slant. Meanwhile, Penn State tried to feed Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton on six consecutive touches, but the Spartans' defense eventually held strong, forcing another punt.

Early 3Q: Penn State 14, Michigan State 10

The Spartans looked poised for a strong drive out of halftime, gaining 29 yards on their first three plays before stalling, forced to punt on fourth down. Penn State wasn't much better, despite two powerful carries from Kaytron Allen.

Both teams are a combined 2-for-15 on third downs.

Mid 2Q: Penn State 14, Michigan State 10

Both coaches have stayed aggressive on short yardage so far. Penn State converted a fourth-and-1 earlier on the drive, but going for it on fourth-and-3 might've been a step too far, as Ethan Grunkemeyer couldn't find an open receiver and was sacked for a 6-yard loss at the Michigan State 28.

The Spartans were unable to take advantage, going three-and-out and Penn State drained the remainder of the half clock.

Grunkemeyer is 7 of 11 for 123 yards and a touchdown, while Alessio Milivojevic is 8 of 12 for just 59 yards. Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton have combined for 84 yards on 22 touches -- a steady pace toward Penn State's goal of around 35 touches for the duo.

Mid 2Q: Penn State 14, Michigan State 10

Dani Dennis-Sutton gets his third (!!) blocked punt of the season to set up Penn State's offense at the Michigan State 41 with a chance to add to their narrow lead.

Mid 2Q: Penn State 14, Michigan State 10

A perfectly clean pocket for Ethan Grunkemeyer -- paired with a blown coverage in the Michigan State secondary -- allowed Devonte Ross to streak free for a 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown to give Penn State the lead. Both offenses now have one-play lightning-strike touchdown drives. It's also the longest pass play of the season for the Nittany Lions.

Mid 2Q: Michigan State 10, Penn State 7

Welp, neither side can convert on fourth-and-short. Penn State took over with great field position at its own 38 but stalled out, turning it over on a fourth-and-1 from the Michigan State 32 when Nicholas Singleton was stuffed for no gain.

On the ensuing Spartans possession, Alessio Milivojevic hit Elijah Tau-Tolliver out of the backfield for a 32-yard gain to set up first-and-goal. A strong defensive stand for the Nittany Lions forced Michigan State to settle for a short field goal.

End 1Q: Michigan State 7, Penn State 7

Disaster narrowly avoided by Michigan State. On fourth-and-3, Alessio Milivojevic was hit from behind by Dani Dennis-Sutton as he tried to throw, and the ball popped loose. It was initially close to being ruled a fumble, but officials called it an incomplete pass, resulting in a turnover on downs instead of a potential scoop-and-score for Penn State.

Late 1Q: Michigan State 7, Penn State 7

Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic is already feeling the heat from Penn State's relentless pass rush. The freshman was sacked seven times in his first career start at Minnesota two weeks ago and has already had to scramble out of the pocket as Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Jim Knowles brings constant pressure up the middle.

Mid 1Q: Michigan State 7, Penn State 7

Much better rhythm on that drive for Penn State. Kaytron Allen was the focal point, touching the ball five times and taking the direct snap inside the 10 to tie the game. The Nittany Lions picked up five first downs on a 12-play, 75-yard drive.

Early 1Q: Michigan State 7, Penn State 0

That was fast. The Nittany Lions went three-and-out after a dropped snap and a sack on Ethan Grunkemeyer, and on the Spartans' first offensive play, Elijah Tau-Tolliver sprinted 57 yards for a touchdown to give Michigan State the early lead.

Even as Penn State's season has faltered, the running back duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton has been the constant. Two blue-chip recruits who arrived in Happy Valley together in 2022 still stand shoulder to shoulder while climbing the record books in their final season.

Playoff hopes are gone and coach James Franklin has moved on, but Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton have remained models of consistency in an era defined by roster turnover. Together, they've bulldozed through defenses for more than 8,200 scrimmage yards and 88 touchdowns over the past four seasons -- production that already places them among the game's elite backfield duos.

Penn State's Kaytron Allen, Nicholas Singleton chase records as one of college football's last true RB duos

Cody Nagel

The records may be the same, but the talent disparity heavily favors Penn State. While Michigan State has fought hard with a 5-1-0 ATS record vs. Big Ten opponents -- the Nittany Lions possess far more firepower on both sides of the ball. Last week's near-upset of No. 2 Indiana showed Penn State hasn't quit under interim coach Terry Smith, and quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer was decent, keeping the offense balanced. That could be key against a Spartans pass defense that ranks fourth in the Big Ten in yards allowed per attempt (7.6) against FBS opponents this season. With bowl eligibility still on the line and a chance to cap a tough season on a high note, Penn State should leave East Lansing comfortably.  Pick: Penn State -7.5

Both teams have struggled in critical late-down situations against FBS opponents this season. Michigan State's offense converts just 37.4% of late downs, ranking 99th in FBS, while Penn State is more effective at 46.5% (33rd). Defensively, the Spartans allow conversions on 55.3% of opponents' late downs (92nd), and the Nittany Lions give up 54.0% (106th).

Kaytron Allen became Penn State's career leader in rushing attempts last week, surpassing Evan Royster (2007-10). Allen has 3,613 career rushing yards, just 319 shy of Royster's all-time mark. Meanwhile, Nicholas Singleton continues climbing the Nittany Lions' record books as well, tallying 41 rushing touchdowns and 51 total touchdowns in his career, putting him within reach of Saquon Barkley's all-time school marks of 43 and 53, respectively.

Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith plans to start redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic on Saturday, according to ESPN. Milivojevic threw for 311 yards in his first career start at Minnesota two weeks ago, ranking third-most by a freshman or redshirt freshman and fourth-most in any Spartans debut. Junior Aidan Chiles, who followed Smith from Oregon State last season, continued to split first-team reps in practice this week, per Smith.

The Land Grant Trophy isn't exactly a prize for the ages this year -- but it's still a rivalry game worth playing for when Penn State (3-6) and Michigan State (3-6) meet in a battle of winless Big Ten teams just trying to salvage slim chances of bowl eligibility in disappointing seasons. It marks only the second time in 14 meetings that neither side is nationally ranked. 

Penn State vs. Michigan State prediction, pick, odds, spread: Nittany Lions, Spartans eye Land Grant Trophy

Cody Nagel