Penn State Football: Grading Nittany Lions vs. Michigan State

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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 26: Safety David Dowell #6 of the Michigan State Spartans is pursued by wide receiver Mac Hippenhammer #12 of the Penn State Nittany Lions after making an interception during the second half at Spartan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Penn State defeated Michigan State 28-7. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

. . . COACHING . A

There isn’t anything but positives to say about the coaching staff in this game. The teams started fast, and while they didn’t pour on more points in the second half, they kept Michigan State from climbing back into it.

I love that Noah Cain started at running back. I’m sure I speak for most Penn State fans when I say that it’s about time.

If there was one issue I had, it was that in the bad weather conditions, I don’t think the starting offense should have been on the field all the way until the end, especially Sean Clifford. The game was over once the middle of the fourth quarter hit, and there was no need to risk injury in meaningless game time.

However, this coaching staff deserves all the credit in the world. This team is extremely young, and because of that, they were largely overlooked in the national picture to start the season. Joel Klatt of FOX didn’t even have the Nittany Lions in his preseason top-25.

Now, Penn State finds themselves right in the thick of the College Football Playoff race at 8-0. It’s incredible what this program has done this season, and they aren’t done yet.

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