Episode Details

The Nittany Lions ground out a tough win against Michigan State Saturday, winning 35-16 on senior day in Happy Valley. 

The Penn State offense struggled to put points up once again. After rushing for 127 yards in the first half, the ground game went silent for the Nittany Lions, who amassed only 47 total yards in the third quarter and scored their lone touchdowns thanks to a muffed punt by returner Jayden Reed. Quarterback Sean Clifford was under constant pressure with few options downfield despite the hot start for the offense. 

Things looked like they were going to be on cruise control heading into halftime. The Nittany Lions scored on a receiver pass from KeAndre Lambert-Smith to Theo Jonhson for 48 yards in the second quarter. Earlier, Clifford captained a drive down into the red zone where he found Johnson wide-open on a coverage bust for a touchdown. But Penn State couldn’t find consistency, failing to score twice thanks to two missed field goals from kicker Jake Pinegar. 

On the flip side, the Penn State defense gave more points to Michigan State than it has in the last two games combined. Despite getting pressure on Michigan State starter Peyton Thorne, the coverage unit gave up big plays on third and long to help keep drives alive. 

However, Mike Yurcich’s offense came through in the fourth quarter with a long drive to soak up time and yards before Nick Singleton raced into the end zone on a fourth down screen to put Penn State up by 12. The drive took 11 plays, went 75 yards, and ate up four and a half minutes of the play clock late in the game. 

Three plays later, the Penn State defense closed the game out with a third-down interception by Kalen King, who had multiple pass breakups during the game. One play later, Clifford found KeAndre Lambert-Smith on a deep pass to put the game out of reach. 

The Nittany Lions finished the season 10-2 and ended the season on a four-game winning streak. Penn State awaits the decision of the College Football Playoff Committee to find out its postseason destiny.

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