Victory Bell Rings
Fansided

Penn State Football: 3 keys to beating Michigan State

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Oct 26, 2019; East Lansing, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Devyn Ford (28) is tackled by Michigan State Spartans safety David Dowell (6) during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2019; East Lansing, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Devyn Ford (28) is tackled by Michigan State Spartans safety David Dowell (6) during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

The Land Grant trophy is on the line as Penn State Football will host the Michigan State Spartans on Senior Day at Beaver Stadium this Saturday at 3:30 est.

Penn State football is looking to string together a third consecutive victory Saturday when the Nittany Lions play host to the Michigan State Spartans.

After consecutive road wins over Michigan and Rutgers it seems Penn State is starting to hit their stride, while Michigan State is coming off a 52-12 drubbing at the hands of Ohio State last week. The Spartans currently sit at 2-4, one spot ahead of Penn State football in the Big Ten East Standings.

James Franklin‘s squad snapped a two game losing streak to Michigan State last year winning a sloppy 28-7 contest from a rain soaked Spartan Stadium. The Nittany Lions will attempt to yet again claim the very unique Land Grant trophy that James Franklin has facetiously referenced as “the most beautiful trophy in all of college football” in the past.

Penn State enters this one a two touchdown favorite over the Spartans, but that has not meant much in previous meetings as the Spartans have had a knack for pulling the upset in this rivalry.

Here are three keys to victory if Penn State is going to walk away with a win Saturday:

Sean Clifford vs Spartans Secondary

Penn State football has ridden their rushing attack to the past two victories but the matchup with Michigan State is one where quarterback Sean Clifford should have success throwing the ball.

Michigan State’s defense is allowing 34.5 points per game this season, and ranks about in the middle of the conference in passing yards allowed per game with 231. Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields made easy work of the Spartans secondary last week, completing 70% of his passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns, with most of that coming in the first half.

Rain and swirling winds at SHI Stadium last Saturday made throwing the ball a tough task, as Clifford only completed 15 of 22 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. The forecast for State College looks to be much better this weekend and the continued growth of this passing offense would be a welcomed site for Penn State fans.

With improved line play and a running game that seems to have hit it’s stride thanks to freshman Keyvone Lee, the RPO offense is starting to take form, the last ingredient is Clifford holding up his end of the bargain. Clifford ranks third in the Big Ten in passing yards with 1,366 and has thrown 12 touchdowns to 9 interceptions.

Against Rutgers, it seems offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca implemented a few tunnel screens to wid receiver Lambert-Smith and one to Dotson that went for a 20 yard gain and if he wasn’t tripped up might have went the distance. Easy completions that get the ball in the hands of playmakers will set up the downfield shots for the passing game.

Michigan State cornerback Shakur Brown has been a standout in the Spartans secondary, leading the nation in interceptions with five. Brown will make it tough to go to his side of the field, but look for Parker Washington to continue to develop his connection with Clifford, as he has caught 10 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown over the past two games.

Home/Penn State Football