Penn State looks to rebound from first loss of the Year
Before its bye week, Penn State collided with then-No. 4 Ohio State at Beaver Stadium. Things were looking good for the Nittany Lions to improve to 5-0 on the season as they led the Buckeyes 26-14 with eight minutes remaining in the match. But two late strikes by Dwayne Haskins resulted in a narrow 27-26 Ohio State win in Week 5. Penn State currently has had two weeks to stew over this loss and will look to release that anger upon Michigan State at Week 7.
Penn State has a huge crime that has averaged 49.6 points per match, fifth-most in the nation. The Nittany Lions are led by senior dual-threat quarterback Trace McSorley, who’s thrown for 1,049 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for 410 yards and six TDs as well. Additionally, they possess junior running Miles Sanders, who ranks 26th in the NCAA with 538 rushing yards and has scored six touchdowns. Defensively, Penn State has allowed 21 points per game that ranks 34th in the country, and senior cornerback Amani Oruwariye has made passing difficult as he’s two interceptions.
This past year, Michigan State hosted Penn State and pulled off the upset since it was rated No. 24 while the Nittany Lions were ranked No. 7. Penn State carried a 24-21 lead into the fourth quarter but was closed out and held to just 87 yards in the final quarter, while Michigan State finished two field goals to secure the 27-24 win. The Spartans limited the Nittany Lions to only 65 rushing yards in the game, including shutting down Saquon Barkley for just 63 yards. Then-sophomore Brian Lewerke tossed 400 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win, while Trace McSorley threw a season-high 381 metres while tacking on three touchdowns of his own on the side.
Michigan State struggling offensively this season Michigan State saw its two-game winning streak come to a conclusion last week since it fell 29-19 to Northwestern, the Spartans’ second loss of the year. Michigan State seemed to be trending in the ideal direction prior to the loss, setting up 66 joint points in its own victories over Indiana and Central Michigan while racking up 695 total yards of offense. But turnovers were still a glaring problem as junior quarterback Brian Lewerke threw two touchdowns but also threw three interceptions in those 2 games.
The Spartans typical 27.2 points per game, which will be 85th in the nation, and Lewerke has thrown for 1,328 yards with six TDs and six interceptions on the season. Defensively, though, Michigan State has been very strong, allowing 23.4 points per game, which is 41st at the NCAA, and giving up just 33.8 rush yards per game, that is the best mark in the nation by a very long shot. Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes has been a nightmare for offensive linemen, racking up four sacks and 16 solo tackles through the first five games. The Spartans will want to prevent the Nittany Lions run game whenever they want a chance to win.
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