Three takeaways from Penn State football’s 28-10 road win vs. Michigan State
Penn State put an end to its six-game losing streak Saturday by beating the Michigan State Spartans in Spartan Stadium, 28-10. The Nittany Lions are now 4-6 on the season with a 1-6 conference record.
Here are three takeaways from Saturday’s matchup.
PSU RB Allen, DE Dennis-Sutton steal show
Kaytron Allen and Dani Dennis-Sutton were both unofficial team MVPs on Saturday, and both undoubtedly added a few more highlights to their NFL draft film. Allen rushed 25 times for 181 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Dennis-Sutton finished with two sacks and a blocked punt.
Allen was Mr. Dependable on offense, picking up first downs with ease and shaking off tacklers like nothing. Dennis-Sutton was constantly in the backfield, wreaking havoc even when he didn’t get a sack or tackle-for-loss. Both PSU vets have been important to the Nittany Lions this season, and this might’ve been their best performance yet. Both stepped up and ensured the Nittany Lions wouldn’t return home with a seventh loss.
QB Grunkemeyer shows improvement
Odds remain against redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer being Penn State’s starting quarterback next year because most (if not all) of the offensive coaching staff will turn over, but he’s making a better case now than he was a few weeks ago. Grunkemeyer has been much calmer under pressure and has shown off the arm talent that led to Penn State recruiting him in the first place. He finished 8-of-13 passing for 127 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Nittany Lion quarterback will still need to improve his decision-making, but there’s reason to believe he can. He missed an open Devonte Ross in the first quarter for what could have been a touchdown, but made that same throw to him in the second. His progression over the last month has been notable and, at the very least, will make other programs come after him harder if he decides to go into the transfer portal.
Penn State’s slim bowl chances grow — slightly
The Nittany Lions need to win out to qualify for a bowl game, and Saturday was the first step to doing it. Of course, Michigan State was also the easiest opponent left on the schedule. The Spartans have yet to win a Big Ten game this season, and it seems like a minor miracle that head coach Jonathan Smith hadn’t been fired prior to entering the game. MSU has been brutally bad, and Penn State took advantage on Saturday.
Now it will have to do the same against better opponents, with 7-3 Nebraska coming to State College before the Nittany Lions go on the road to face 5-5 Rutgers to end the season.
This story was originally published November 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM.
