Michigan State Spartans vs Penn State Nittany Lions Match Player Stats On Nov 26, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Nov 26, 2016

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Not long into the first quarter on Saturday, Penn State knew it was playing for a spot in the Big Ten championship game, it just took a while for the Nittany Lions to get rolling.

Thanks to Ohio State's win over Michigan, No. 7 Penn State clinched a share of the East Division title and a spot in next week's conference championship game against Wisconsin with a 45-12 victory over Michigan State in front of 97,418 at Beaver Stadium.

The Nittany Lions (10-2, 8-1 Big Ten) now have a chance to win their first Big Ten title since sharing it with Ohio State in 2008. They'll get that opportunity thanks to a nearly perfect performance from sophomore quarterback Trace McSorley, who was 17 of 23 for a career-high 376 yards and four touchdowns.

Three of McSorley's scoring passes came in the decisive third quarter when Penn State scored 21 points and turned a 12-10 deficit into a commanding lead.

McSorley connected with junior wide receiver Chris Godwin on a 34-yarder to open the third quarter and followed with a 45-yarder to junior tight end Mike Gesicki. He capped the flurry with a 59-yard strike to Godwin and the rout was on as the fans at Beaver Stadium started to celebrate. Godwin finished with four catches for 115 yards.

Penn State redshirt freshman running back Andre Robinson added two late touchdowns, a 14-yard run and a 40-yard reception to cap the scoring.

Michigan State (3-9, 1-8) controlled the first half, outgaining Penn State 256-125, but its failure to get in the end zone was crucial as senior kicker Michael Geiger had four field goals to give the Spartans a 12-10 halftime lead.

However, it also signified missed opportunities as the Spartans were in the Nittany Lions; red zone on each of the drives and couldn't come up with a touchdown.

Michigan State got its offense rolling early, putting together a 12-play drive on its first possession that stalled inside the Penn State 10. The Spartans settled for a 28-yard field goal from Geiger to take a 3-0 lead with 8:13 left in the first quarter.

After a three-and-out from the defense, Michigan State took advantage by extending the lead to 6-0 on a 38-yard field goal from Geiger with 2:44 left in the first quarter.

Penn State answered by finally putting things together offensively on the arm of McSorley, who had a key third-down connection with Godwin which led to a 35-yard field goal from junior kicker Tyler Davis to cut the Michigan State lead to 6-3 with 13:11 left in the second quarter.

Michigan State scored again on its third drive of the game, this time a 33-yarder from Geiger to extend the Spartans' lead to 9-3 with 7:17 left in the second quarter. On the same drive, Michigan State lost junior quarterback Damion Terry for the game when he took a hit to the head.

McSorley continued to pick apart the Michigan State secondary late in the second quarter before Saquon Barkley put the Nittany Lions ahead 10-9 with 2:14 left in the first half on a 1-yard touchdown run.

Michigan State answered with one final drive, taking 14 plays to go 72 yards but getting stopped at the Penn State 3. Geiger added his fourth field goal -- a 21-yarder -- with 10 seconds left in the half.

NOTES: Junior TE Mike Gesicki had two catches for 64 yards and now has 610 career receiving yards, giving him the most in a season for a tight end in Penn State history. ... Penn State has now won eight straight in the Big Ten, its longest streak in the conference since going 8-0 in 1994 and longest overall since 2011. ... Michigan State junior DE Malik McDowell missed his third straight game with an injured left ankle and could very well have played his last game for the Spartans. McDowell is rated as one of the top defensive linemen in next spring's NFL Draft. Also not in uniform for Michigan State were sophomore CB Tyson Smith, fifth-year senior S Demetrious Cox, sophomore DB Jalen Watts-Jackson and sophomore RB Madre London. ... Junior QB Damion Terry received his first career start for Michigan State but left in the second quarter after taking a hit to the head.