Michigan State 21 Penn State 17: What we saw and wondered

Last time Penn State lost outright at home as two-touchdown favorites?

2000, vs. Iowa, according to https://t.co/0booPbBszA

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

JF says MSU's lateral that was reversed as an incompletion"doesn't make sense" to him.

In the same breath he said he's not questioning the call, he sounded like he was questioning the call. "From the time I was in Little League, if the ball is going backwards it was a lateral."

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

James Franklin, on part of his opening statement:

"We had a chance to put them away several times on offense, on defense and on special teams and we didn't do it. We let them stay in the game; we let them stay in the game."

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

Penn State falls to Michigan State 21-17. pic.twitter.com/F4KmcHPalS

— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) October 14, 2018

Penn State has reached the mid-point of its season -- and its College Football Playoff hopes are finished.

Franklin said two weeks ago this was a great team, a ways from elite. Today, it looked a ways away from great.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

FINAL: Michigan State 21, Penn State 17 pic.twitter.com/tUriaZTOnL

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

PSU’s now gone two straight home games without ringing the victory bell. Another punch to the gut for the Nittany Lions.

FINAL: MSU 21, PSU 17

A look at the crowd on the final play of the game: pic.twitter.com/bYl9spl2VB

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

Penn State with the ball on its own 26 with 13 seconds left.

— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 13, 2018

Michigan State takes the lead as Brian Lewerke hits Felton Davis for a 25-yard touchdown. 21-17 with 19 seconds left

— Penn State Football (@psufootball) October 13, 2018

Touchdown, Michigan State. The Spartans take a 21-17 lead.

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 13, 2018

A 21-yard completion and now MSU is at Penn State's 44 with 38 seconds left.

— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 13, 2018

Annnndddd MSU holds Penn State. After a punt it's MSU ball on their own 24 with 1:19 left.

— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 13, 2018

Huge sack for Penn State forces Michigan State to punt. Nittany Lions have the ball at their own 28 with 1:46. Can McSorley and Co. put a wrap on this one?

— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 13, 2018

Ooookaaay. Review calls it an incomplete pass and MSU now has it at their own 40. Penn State fans would politely like to disagree.

— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 13, 2018

A sack and fumble and it's now second and 19 for Michigan State with 3:02 left. Ball's on MSU's 26.

— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 13, 2018

Penn State goes nowhere and now it's Michigan State ball again with 4:09 left and MSU at their own 23.
The way these teams are playing, do they each still have 2 possessions left???

— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 13, 2018

Franklin thought Dantonio would try a fake at some point -- but he went with 2 in the game. The second one was a great Garrett Taylor pass break up from being successful.

— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 13, 2018

Michigan State comes up short on 3rd down but lines up for a field goal -- and instead throws a pass down the middle. Broken up near the goal line and it's Penn State ball at the 22 with 5:19 left.

— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 13, 2018

3rd and 10 with 5:51 left and MSU at the PSU 26. We have a timeout.

— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 13, 2018

Michigan State first and 10 at the PSU 26 sith 6:33 and counting left.

— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) October 13, 2018

The FG gives @PennStateFball the 17-14 lead. pic.twitter.com/7Qvya9kfX8

— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) October 13, 2018

Brian Lewerke with the classic play-fake with no running back there to receive the fake

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

17-14*

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Jake Pinegar's 20-yard field goal try is good

20-17 Penn State with 9:21 to go in regulation

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

3rd-and-goal on the Michigan State 2-yard line...and they run the Bill O'Brien fade

Not great

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Good job by redshirt freshman wideout Mac Hippenhammer finding the soft spot in Michigan State's zone coverage

And McSorley steps up in the pocket to make the throw

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

DeAndre Thompkins had his man beat on the double move, but Trace McSorley throws it too late and too high

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Micah Parsons with the blitz and swim move to put the pressure on Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke

Huge play by the true freshman linebacker

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

True freshman kicker Jake Pinegar misses a 36-yard field goal after Michigan State's Mark Dantonio declines third-down holding foul

Nittany Lions just can't finish right now

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

PSU was called for two holding penalties -- but MSU declined.

Interesting move. Would've moved PSU out of field-goal position if taken.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

Trace McSorley threads it over two Michigan State defenders for a 25-yard connection to Pat Freiermuth

Nittany Lions deep in Spartan territory

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Miles Sanders headed to the sideline after that run. Looked hurt.

Ricky Slade in for him now.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

Maybe Penn State can use a lifeline and call JoMo? https://t.co/yvhdoxKXOM

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

That time, when McSorley went deep, Miles Sanders was wide open in the flat. No one around him for yards; he just turned to McSorley and shrugged after the play.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

PSU's really digging the dink-and-dunk offense today ... which is kinda surprising, considering MSU has the No. 122-ranked pass defense.

Deep pass has gotta be coming soon, right?

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

That's a @MSU_Football touchdown.

Nice catch, and footwork, @TheFreak_18! pic.twitter.com/OJBff5aO53

— Michigan St. on BTN (@MichiganStOnBTN) October 13, 2018

Touchdown Michigan State -- and we're all tied up at 14-14 here in Beaver Stadium #PSUvsMSU

I think PSU is contractually obligated to keep all games interesting, or close, for at least 2.5 quarters.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

Call stands on the field

14-14 ballgame with 6:10 to go in the third quarter

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

McSorley slipped to turn the ball over on downs. And then PSU DB McPhearson slipped and MSU threw a 20-yard TD pass.

Or is it a TD pass? Looks like it may be overruled as out

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

20-yard touchdown pass from Brian Lewerke to Felton Davis...but it's under review

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

It was a big 3rd down, and it resulted in a big @GTaylor_17 @PennStateFball INT. pic.twitter.com/ugcoGcxvpX

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 13, 2018

Well, it's better than a dive play?

On fourth-and-4, McSorley attempts to pass but slips up and falls down. Turnover on downs; MSU takes over on its own 36.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

Waiting for Penn State to test this 122nd-ranked Michigan State pass defense deep pic.twitter.com/5zeO6Tta7m

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Another tip drill INT by Garrett Taylor

That was huge for the Nittany Lions, who have looked listless since late second quarter

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

At half time Penn State leads Michigan State 14-7. McSorley became Penn State's all-time leading passer and Sanders has had 146 yards so far. pic.twitter.com/moTOeIadyc

— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) October 13, 2018

With that first-half performance, we're not doing our job if we don't spotlight @PennStateFball RB Miles Sanders.

Take it away, @Jacksonville8.

BTN x @Discover pic.twitter.com/lO3KXNw2rY

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 13, 2018

Penn State DT Antonio Shelton warming up on the sideline in anticipation of his initial snaps today.

He was forced to miss first half after being ejected for targeting penalty in third quarter vs. Ohio State.

— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) October 13, 2018

Something to remember: Penn State gets the ball to start the second half

Rare deferral by James Franklin after winning the coin toss, but Nittany Lions will have a chance to set the tone

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Miles Sanders the last 2 quarters: 8 carries, 146 yards

Michigan State's run defense in the 16 quarters previously: 103 carries, 144 yards

Seriously. That's not a misprint.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

PSU still having a problem with silly mistakes. Let's see if I missed one:

-- CJ Thorpe's unsportsmanlike conduct penalty nixes goal-line stand
-- KJ Hamler's drop gives MSU great field position
-- Cam Brown penalty keeps MSU drive alive
-- Fake punt catches PSU off-guard

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

I don't know if I've heard Penn State fans cheer for Pitt before ... https://t.co/ivkuBVGSEI

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

Beaver Stadium’s reaction to hearing “Pitt 14, Notre Dame 12” pic.twitter.com/ZrA9MpqPk9

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

"Just a breathtaking touchdown run by Miles Sanders."@BoobieMilesXXIV's @PennStateFball highlight TD will make you go .#BTNStandout x @AutoOwnersIns pic.twitter.com/05luP6RWzO

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 13, 2018

Yetur Gross-Matos got after it on that drive

Impressive by the sophomore defensive end

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Backup DT Fred Hansard walks off the field with some help. Depth is limited there, so PSU can ill-afford injuries.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

In the last 4 GAMES, Michigan State has allowed 144 combined rushing yards.

So far in THIS HALF, PSU's Miles Sanders has 145 rushing yards on 7 carries.

Ridiculous.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

Miles Sanders just had himself a Saquon Barkley moment. That run was ridiculous; how many Michigan State defenders missed there?

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

With Barkley in the house, Miles Sanders does his best Sa-Sa impression

What a run

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Great play by corner John Reid#PennState defense is doing its job. Excluding the fake punt, Nittany Lions have held Michigan State to 3.9 yards per play

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

With that rush, Miles Sanders moves over 1,000 career rushing yards. He is the 45th player in PSU history with 1,000 rushing yards.

— Kris Petersen (@GoPSUKris) October 13, 2018

DeAndre Thompkins emerges from the injury tent with his helmet on. Must have passed the tests.

— Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) October 13, 2018

DeAndre Thompkins looks a little shaken up after that return. We'll have to see if he comes back; looked like he might've been hit in the head on the play.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

Nice third-down tackle by redshirt freshman corner Donovan Johnson

Making an impact in his first action since injury at Illinois

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Two successful trick plays allowed, fumble by Trace McSorley, unsportsmanlike conduct on CJ Thorpe & now a holding penalty on Connor McGovern

Nittany Lions sloppy in this first half

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Touchdown MSU.

Stop me if you've heard this one before: Penn State looks like the better team, but it's tied 7-7 in the 2nd after several key mistakes/miscues that proved costly.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

CJ Thorpe — who James Franklin said in the past has a "nasty streak" — just called for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Penn State's 3rd-and-goal stop

Franklin giving him an earful right now

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

pic.twitter.com/hvdRHyB0OQ

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Maybe Galiano didn't get the memo? https://t.co/3egQbC05Aj

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

Franklin said Tuesday that PSU would be expecting the fake at any time -- and MSU just faked the punt and ran for a first through a hole that could've fit a blue bus.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

Longest run of @BoobieMilesXXIV's @PennStateFball career ️

First run of 20+ yards vs. Michigan State in 2018 ️ pic.twitter.com/X0t2xx7df4

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 13, 2018

McSorley is 5-for-5 with a TD, and Sanders already has more rushing yards (85) than MSU's given up in an entire game this season.

MSU defense: Uh-oh.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

On 128 rushing attempts through five games this year, #MichiganState had yet to allow a rush of 20 yards or more

Miles Sanders — who just ripped off a 78-yard gain — said earlier this week that the Nittany Lions were going to run at Sparty anywayhttps://t.co/4jiblMTgFo

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Michigan State hadn't given up more than 63 yards rushing in a game this season. Miles Sanders just ran 78 yards.

— Matt Brown (@MattBrownCFB) October 13, 2018

Touchdown, Penn State

Trace McSorley holds the fake just long enough to free up KJ Hamler

7-0 Nittany Lions

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Miles Sanders, tired of playing second fiddle, follows up McSorley's passing record with a 78-yard run.

Comes up just short of the end zone. But really flashed his speed there.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

History made#PennState's Trace McSorley just became the program's all-time leader in passing yards with that 6-yard completion to Pat Freiermuthhttps://t.co/p4nqf4Dkpj

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Trace McSorley needs 4 more passing yards to break PSU's all-time passing record.

I'd say he's got a good chance to get it here. #ExpertAnalysis

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

Koa Farmer still in for this series, but wouldn't be surprised to see Micah Parsons out there next drive https://t.co/PjaemDOLL7

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Nittany Lions were moving...until a fumble by Trace McSorley

QB 1 stepped up in the pocket and while trying to throw, MSU's Khari Willis poked the ball free

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

No fair. KJ Hamler's a human cheat code.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

KJ Hamler back, folks

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Michigan State wideout Felton Davis III looked like he slipped on that third-down route, but covered well anyway

Penn State secondary all too familiar with Davis, who put up 12 catches, 181 yards in last year's 27-24 loss in East Lansing

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

If Michigan State can run today, Penn State's going to have a bad time. Sparty is 12-0 the last 2 seasons when getting 40 or more carries.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

Stripe Out looking good 15 minutes til kick pic.twitter.com/MGmxM5R93o

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

"New York, New York" blaring over Beaver Stadium speakers and all https://t.co/2NT4BQlkVp

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Great stuff: @saquon's donning a @McSorley_IX jersey at today's @PennStateFball game. pic.twitter.com/8nIg1fUdL9

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 13, 2018

Penn State is warming up as kick off for homecoming approaches. pic.twitter.com/4UmTiG3V4m

— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) October 13, 2018

Redshirt freshman corner Donovan Johnson is dressed

Johnson — who performed well at nickel corner in John Reid's absence earlier this year — sustained an injury at Illinois & did not play against Ohio State

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Michigan State’s 2017 leading rusher — who missed last three games — won’t play today https://t.co/aYqu06YSk7

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Penn State football letterman arrived with the team today for the homecoming game against Michigan State. #PSUvsMSU pic.twitter.com/Usj4EHis5q

— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) October 13, 2018

Rutgers QBs are now a combined 2-of-17 for 8 yards and 5 interceptions. I'm fascinated by this.

Serious question: In the history of college football, there have to be worse performances, right? What are they?

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

"When he’s on the field, he’s pretty electric"

And #PennState expects K.J. Hamler to be on the field today

What it means for the Nittany Lions' offense & special teamshttps://t.co/3Fmi4iAiYh

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

Some highlights from this week's #PSUvsMSU coverage:

Key matchups: https://t.co/7zohwa4mvV

McSorley deserves Heisman consideration: https://t.co/iXhD7wPovb

5 things to watch: https://t.co/LlJCFJIZOP

Beating MSU's run defense: https://t.co/Nrlrcceg0Y

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 13, 2018

#PennState defensive end Shane Simmons is finally back

Can he make an impact in his return?https://t.co/kmXvYDdjPG

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018

#PennState's defense held Ohio State to 3.47 yards per play in the first three quarters two weeks ago

In the 4th quarter? 12.38https://t.co/VYBF0vah70

— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 13, 2018