Michigan State managed a first down on a circus catch but could not sustain any momentum, forced to punt it back to Penn State. Like the Spartans, Penn State looked like they were going to get a drive going, but the Lions were unable to handle the blitz twice and ended up punting Sparty back inside the 20 yard line.
The PSU D bent a little but stopped the Spartans and forced a punt. A theatrical fake by the Spartan punter got a five yard penalty and the Spartans re-punted with about the same result. But true to the script so far, Penn State moved the ball on one first down, stalled, and promptly pinned the Spartans back at their ten yard line. Who would blink first?
I hate these games where the game plan seems to be to see who makes the first mistake. Our defense plays with heart and fire. Our offense seems like they’re playing with fire—afraid to get burned and distracted by shiny objects.
Then the defense lapsed and Michigan State moved the ball on the ground for 53 yards on three plays, but then the drive stalled yet again and they punted. But field position had flipped and now it was Penn State pinned at their ten yard line.
I thought at this point that this drive would be key. A three-and out would improve the field position battle for the Spartans. But we put together a great drive, came up short, and capped it with a missed field goal.
Finally, on our next possession, the offense continued to click long enough for a touchdown throw to Quarless for the first points of the day!
With only a couple of minutes left in the game, it looked good for Penn State as the Spartans hadn’t been able to mount any kind of drive without some big plays. But I thought too soon, as a few big plays later, the Spartans were at our ten knocking at the door. Drama and suspense I could do without. Sure enough, right after they flash up the graphic that PSU has the best red zone defense in the country, the Spartans score.
When you think things will quiet down, PSU sends Green back for the kickoff to the 33. A couple of big plays later and it looks like PSU was going to move right down the field but a wide-open Zug drops a pass that might have put us in field goal position. Penn State recovered, but then Clark is sacked on the next play forcing us out of field goal range and out of time outs with seven ticks left on the clock. Did I say out of field goal range? Penn State would try it anyway from 51 yards. NO GOOD! Yes, we were out of field goal range, and out of time.
So in one half of play, we let a crappy opponent hang around. We left at least 6 points on the field due to the lack of a decent kicker—I know . . . the latter was 51 yards and not his fault. But the first one was, and this isn’t the first game he has missed field goals. Anyone who thought he was going to make that 51 yarder has never seen this kid kick before. But worse than that were two plays by veteran seniors that really let this team down—Hull not looking back in the endzone for a very defensible pass that would have saved a TD, and Clark for taking a sack in a situation where you can’t afford to take a sack.
The second half couldn’t have opened in better fashion. Green returned the kick-off to the 45 yard line, perhaps our best return in six decades. That’s an exaggeration but it feels that way! The Lion offense looked crisp. Aided by a roughing the passer penalty, Drake hit Quarless in the back of the endzone to put Penn State up 14-7. You gotta love the Drake!
And then we kicked the ball into the endzone?! Who is playing special teams for Penn State in this half???
Another defensive stand and a poor punt set the Lions up in decent field position for their next drive. Starting from our 35, there should be no holding back the playbook now. Score again and put this beast away. Instead, we run two plays and Clark is sacked on third and one. Boone pins Sparty back at the 16 yard line, but another golden opportunity is squandered with uninspired play.
Penn State forces a three and out aided by a dropped pass on third down by a well-covered receiver. The punt exchange cost us a yard as we take possession back on our 34 yard line. Once again—good field position, but can we capitalize on it?
This time the Lions didn’t disappoint. A first down was followed by a false start on Landolt. Here we go again, I thought prematurely. But we recovered with a big draw by Royster to the MSU 31. And then we lined up in the power I. Even I thought we were going to run the ball. MSU was also fooled as Suey slipped out of the backfield and took the pass to the endzone. The play was reviewed but confirmed the TD.
Sparty responded with a good return to the 38. After Josh Hull was called for PI—spot foul—and Sparty got called for a hold, Sukay picked off a Kissing Cousins pass and returned it to the MSU 32. Clark went for the kill, connecting with Zug for a TD on the very next play. Now that is Penn State football!
The Spartans fared no better on the next series, showing why they failed to beat ND (mired in an OT yawn fest with Connecticut) and Central Michigan, as Sean Lee picked off Cousins to give Penn State great field position again. Clark played pitch and catch again and this time Zug got to dive across the pylon for a Penn State TD.
The fourth quarter ended with the two teams exchanging scores, including a QB sneak by Newsome. The final score was 42-14.
This game, a “big game” in terms of what it meant in the bowl picture for both teams, was a great win in some respects, but the elements of disaster were still there, just beneath the surface, waiting to emerge with a splash and a plop. Both field goals were missed while the game was very much in doubt. The offense can’t seem to stay focused for more than half a game. You can argue all you want about the rebuilding O-line and the losses at wide receiver, but folks this is the 12th game of the next season. Inexperience is no longer an excuse.
For all the bluster and hype of this series, Michigan State is, how did Craig James put it, a “good middle of the pack Big Ten team.” He was being generous, but then he was comparing the Big Ten schedule to Boise State’s and I agree with his overall premise that league play in our conference is more difficult than the road which Boise State has traveled.
Clark had a record setting day on the field and I’m really glad his last regular season game gave him a chance to showcase his skills. Hopefully, that success and confidence will sweep him to a bowl win over a team that I am confident will be better prepared and more talented that this Spartan team was.
BY THE NUMBERS:
From GoPSUsports:
| Team Totals | PSU | MSU |
| FIRST DOWNS | 24 | 16 |
| Rushing | 7 | 5 |
| Passing | 16 | 10 |
| Penalty | 1 | 1 |
| NET YARDS RUSHING | 188 | 94 |
| Rushing Attempts | 38 | 25 |
| Average Per Rush | 4.9 | 3.8 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 1 | 0 |
| Yards Gained Rushing | 213 | 121 |
| Yards Lost Rushing | 25 | 27 |
| NET YARDS PASSING | 324 | 239 |
| Completions-Attempts-Int | 20-28-0 | 20-33-2 |
| Average Per Attempt | 11.6 | 7.2 |
| Average Per Completion | 16.2 | 11.9 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 5 | 2 |
| TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS | 512 | 333 |
| Total offense plays | 66 | 58 |
| Average Gain Per Play | 7.8 | 5.7 |
| Fumbles: Number-Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Penalties: Number-Yards | 6-27 | 6-60 |
| PUNTS-YARDS | 5-192 | 9-337 |
| Average Yards Per Punt | 38.4 | 37.4 |
| Net Yards Per Punt | 38.2 | 36.0 |
| Inside 20 | 5 | 3 |
| 50+ Yards | 1 | 0 |
| Touchbacks | 0 | 0 |
| Fair catch | 1 | 3 |
| KICKOFFS-YARDS | 7-475 | 2-125 |
| Average Yards Per Kickoff | 67.9 | 62.5 |
| Net Yards Per Kickoff | 44.0 | 31.0 |
| Touchbacks | 2 | 0 |
| Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD | 4-13-0 | 2-1-0 |
| Average Per Return | 3.2 | 0.5 |
| Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD | 2-63-0 | 5-127-0 |
| Average Per Return | 31.5 | 25.4 |
| Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD | 2-47-0 | 0-0-0 |
| Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 |
| Miscellaneous Yards | 0 | 0 |
| Possession Time | 33:56 | 26:04 |
| 1st Quarter | 6:35 | 8:25 |
| 2nd Quarter | 8:49 | 6:11 |
| 3rd Quarter | 7:43 | 7:17 |
| 4th Quarter | 10:49 | 4:11 |
| Third-Down Conversions | 6 of 13 | 2 of 12 |
| Fourth-Down Conversions | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Red-Zone Scores-Chances | 2-2 | 1-1 |
| Sacks By: Number-Yards | 1-9 | 4-20 |
| PAT Kicks | 6-6 | 2-2 |
| Field Goals | 0-2 | 0-0 |
INTANGIBLES:
Michigan State won the toss and elected to receive.
This is only the second time since joining the Big Ten that Penn State went undefeated on the road in conference play. The other time was 1994.
Penn State now leads the series 14-12-1.
This season is the 21st time a Paterno team has won at least 10 games in a season.
This is win number 393 for Joe who is STILL five ahead of Bobby after his Seminoles pulled a late victory over the Terps.
THE BIG (TEN) PICTURE:
The Buckeyes beat THEM 21-10. Iowa beat Minnesota 12-0. Northwestern upset the Badgers 33-31. Purdue beat Indiana 38-21 to win the Old Oaken Bucket that the wolverines threw up in.
Penn State gets to redecorate its den with the Land Grant Trophy, and Iowa ended up with a Pig.
Illinois still has two non-conference games remaining, @ Cincinnati on Nov. 27 and hosting Fresno State on Dec. 5.
SHEDDING TEARS:
1. For THEM—sitting at home for the holidays
2. For LSU—some posters are looking for a new coach
3. For Iowa or PSU—whichever team doesn’t win the beauty contest
4. For RutgersAl—his “top-ranked” team is just rank, losing to Syracuse
LOOKING AHEAD:
At this point, it is a waiting game. Either Iowa or Penn State should be picked as an at-large BCS team with 10-2 records. Iowa won the head to head, but that is not a criterion for bowl selection. Penn State has the bigger TV audience—and that may be a criterion.
Possible bowl bids, depending on how the rest of the season pans out for teams that are still playing include the Fiesta, Orange of Cap One Bowls.
Asked about the situation, Paterno responded:
"What do you want me to say?," Paterno asked reporters outside Spartan Stadium. "Pick us. Maybe I could get on the phone and call somebody and say, 'you owe me one,' or 'you might find a horse's head in your bed'."
Well, if it works . . .
Have a Happy Thanksgiving. Don’t eat too much Hokie!
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