Penn State beats Michigan State to reach Big Ten title game

The Badgers lost back-to-back games to MI and Ohio State by seven points each, but have won six games in a row to close the regular season. Jake Hartbarger’s punt gave Penn State the ball on their own 31-yard line.

Penn State joined in on the Big Ten East’s ritualistic beatdown of Rutgers with a 39-0 victory over the Scarlet Knights. If Ohio State beats MI, the Nittany Lions will be playing for a spot in the conference title game and potentially their playoff lives.

Ohio State or Penn State is assured of a Playoff spot if it somehow gets into the championship game and then wins it. That was something the players loved, yet couldn’t quite grasp, at the same time.

“I think we’ve proven ourself with our strength of schedule”, defensive end Sam Hubbard said.

“The younger guys are very hungry and I believe this next year they’re going to step up and go harder because we don’t like losing”, Bowers said.

For the first time since 1960, three Big Ten teams are in the top 5 of the AP poll. “That’s what we’re looking to do”.

Penn State will honor 17 seniors prior to kick – a group of players who chose Penn State despite NCAA sanctions and the most tumultuous time in program history- and likely they will all have a pretty good idea of what’s happening in Columbus between Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh by the time they take the field.

Follow along for updates from Michigan State’s battle with Penn State for the Land Grant Trophy.

When the Buckeyes finally clinched their double-overtime win over Michigan, Beaver Stadium erupted, even though Michigan State was gashing Penn State’s defense in the early going.

Franklin was asked what the approach will be.

“We were focused on what we saw on film this year”, Franklin said.

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The Lions needed some time to get there but, once again, found their stride in the second quarter. Last week against Ohio State, he finished with 11 stops and three official hurries of Buckeyes QB J.T. Barrett. The Spartans have allowed 200 or more rushing yards four times, which could spell trouble against Saquon Barkley, the top rusher in the Big Ten.Like Barkley, McSorley said he will be inspired to help give the Penn State seniors a victory in their final home game.”This senior class has been fantastic”, McSorley said. Godwin popped open and pulled in the 59-yard score.

Saquon Barkley might be the best running back in the Big Ten and he might be a load for the Spartans to handle.

Watch for utilizing Barkley in the pass game early to free him up in space.

Godwin was exceptional, catching five passes for 135 yards, and ran a particularly strong route on his first touchdown catch. Garner leads the team at 16 points per game, Carr adds 14.8 and a team-best 4.2 assists, and frosh forward Lamar Stevens contributes 14.4 points.

McSorley has thrown a TD pass in 13 straight games. He has 935 yards and six touchdowns this season.

After receiving the ball back and leading a drive into Nittany Lion territory, O’Connor fumbled the snap on first down and it was recovered by Penn State. However, Scott will go against a Penn State defense that is allowing just 1.8 yards per rush over its last four games. Scott finishes the year with 972 yards, just 28 short of 1,000.

Pretty much every play in each of his 10 career games has been a revelation for redshirt freshman defensive tackle Raequan Williams, who banged heads with two projected high National Football League draft choices on Ohio State’s offensive line.

“I will be at Michigan State on January 6 for orientation, then classes start right after that”, he explained. And Franklin sounded moved by the moment.

“However that game plays out, it is going to have an impact on our future”, Franklin said.