Penn State Football: Nittany Lions stumble during long day at Michigan State
Penn State football endured a long, heartbreaking day on Saturday at Michigan State.
A long, cold, rainy day in East Lansing ended in shocking fashion for Penn State. The No. 7 team in the nation was unable to get consistent play on both sides of the ball and fell 27-24 to Michigan State. A last-second field goal won the game for the Spartans and all but killed Penn State’s hopes of making it into the College Football Playoff this year.
When the game kicked at noon eastern time there was rain in the area, but there wasn’t really an indication that the game would be greatly affected by the weather.
Penn State scored twice in the first quarter, both on touchdown passes from Trace McSorley. The first went to DaeSean Hamilton, the second to Saeed Blacknall. Michigan State also scored in the first frame, making the game 14-7 heading into the second.
That’s when things got interesting. Midway through the second quarter lightning was detected in the area and Spartan Stadium was evacuated. The game was delayed for three-and-a-half hours.
When the action finally resumed, Michigan State tied the game before halftime.
With rain coming down for the majority of the second half, things got ugly for the Nittany Lions. Players were slipping and the receivers were having trouble holding onto the ball. Amazingly, Michigan State seemed to thrive in the conditions. The Spartan receivers were able to make tough catches when needed.
Michigan State scored first in the third quarter to go up by seven. However, a field goal and McSorley’s third touchdown pass of the day gave the Nittany Lions a three-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Penn State’s fourth quarter was plagued by mistakes. From dropped passes, to interceptions, to untimely penalties, anything that could have went wrong for the Nittany Lions did. Michigan State produced two fourth-quarter field goals that ultimately won the game.
One of the biggest plays of the game came when Michigan State failed to convert a third down on its final drive, but Penn State’s Marcus Allen was flagged for a late hit on the quarterback. That call kept the drive alive and led to the winning kick.
Head coach James Franklin has to be concerned with the way his team played for the second straight week. The offense really struggled and the defense was once picked apart through the air.
The Nittany Lions managed just 65 yards on the ground. Michigan State’s tough defensive front was too much for Penn State to handle. Star running back Saquon Barkley failed to score a touchdown, braking a steak of 15 straight games with at least one score. He finished the day with just 63 yards rushing and 33 yards receiving.
McSorley, despite throwing for over 400 yards and three touchdowns, really struggled and threw three costly interceptions. Penn State was driving late in the fourth quarter, but McSorley threw a pick on first down that killed a drive that could have taken the lead.
He also once again had issues with his ball sailing over the heads of wide-open receivers.
Two receivers, DeAndre Thompkins (102) and DaeSean Hamilton (112), went over 100 yards receiving in the game. Tight end Mike Gesicki had a solid game, catching eight balls for 89 yards.
On defense, the Nittany Lions failed to get much pressure on Spartan quarterback Brian Lewerke and allowed him to have a fantastic day, throwing for 400 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Felton Davis was virtually uncoverable and hauled in 12 catches for 181 yards and a score.
The loss dropped Penn State to 7-2 on the year after winning the first seven games. Penn State heads home next week to face Rutgers in a noon kickoff.