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Penn State Football: Nittany Lions fail in fourth quarter and lose to Michigan State

By Barry Leonard Jr.

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 13: Miles Sanders #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes for 78 yards against Joe Bachie #35 of the Michigan State Spartans and Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 13: Miles Sanders #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes for 78 yards against Joe Bachie #35 of the Michigan State Spartans and Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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In what has become a frustrating trend for Penn State, the Nittany Lions again squandered a fourth-quarter lead. 

In a game that was eerily similar to last year’s contest in East Lansing, Penn State and Michigan State played a tough contest that wasn’t completely settled until the end. Favored by two touchdowns, the Nittany Lions were hurt by penalties, questionable play calls and just flat out inconsistent play. Just like last year, Penn State was unable to hold a lead late and fell to the Spartans, 21-17.

Penn State was unable to pick up a first down in a key spot in the fourth quarter, and then, was unable to keep the Michigan State offense from driving down the field for a game-winning touchdown with just 19 seconds remaining.

Facing one of the worst defenses in the entire country, senior quarterback Trace McSorley was primed for a monster day. However, it didn’t work out that way. McSorley seemed out of sync with his receivers and threw for just 192 yards and a touchdown.

McSorley also struggled to run in this one, something that was a strong point in previous games. He picked up just 37 yards on 13 carries against the vaunted Michigan State run defense. He had a chance to pick up a first down late in the game, but failed, and also inexplicably went out of bounds, causing Michigan State to save its final timeout.

Running back Miles Sanders was one of the few bright spots for the Nittany Lions, as he rushed for 162 yards on 17 carries. Those numbers included a 78-yard run and a 48-yard touchdown run that brought back memories of the departed Saquon Barkley, who was in attendance Saturday.

Aside from the overall struggles on offense, the Nittany Lions were doomed by poor play on special teams. A missed field goal by Jake Pinegar and failure to stop a Michigan State fake punt played a big part in the loss.

On defense, the Nittany Lions played better in spurts, but once again looked tired and was unable to come up with the big play in the fourth quarter.

Michigan State didn’t play great all day, but did enough to pull out the upset victory. Quarterback Brian Lewerke once again had a big game against the Nittany Lions, throwing for 259 yards and two touchdowns. He also made some big plays with his legs be scrambling around in the pocket.

Wide receiver Felton Davis, who posted a 100-yard game in last year’s matchup with the Nittany Lions, caught eight passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

For the second straight season, head coach James Franklin finds himself having to deal with back-to-back fourth-quarter losses to Ohio State and Michigan State. Saturday’s loss hurts and all but takes the Nittany Lions out of the College Football Playoff conversation.

Despite the disappointment, Franklin and the coaching staff has to get back at it this week and get the team ready for a road battle with Indiana.

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