Penn State vs. Michigan State live updates, score, game analysis and highlights
Updates(17)See New PostsPinnedLink copiedMichigan State in need of a big driveEnd 3Q: Penn State 14, Michigan State 10Alessio Milivojevic completed consecutive passes and had a receiver wide open for what looked like a sure touchdown, but Dani Dennis-Sutton brought him down with a sack just before the throw. The Spartans now face a daunting second-and-22 to start the fourth, needing to engineer a touchdown drive.PinnedLink copiedSlow-go offenses stalling in third quarterLate 3Q: Penn State 14, Michigan State 10Michigan State's offense is really struggling. Alessio Milivojevic has completed just one of his last five passes and missed an open Nick Marsh on a third-down slant. Meanwhile, Penn State tried to feed Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton on six consecutive touches, but the Spartans' defense eventually held strong, forcing another punt.PinnedLink copiedThird-down struggles persistEarly 3Q: Penn State 14, Michigan State 10The Spartans looked poised for a strong drive out of halftime, gaining 29 yards on their first three plays before stalling, forced to punt on fourth down. Penn State wasn't much better, despite two powerful carries from Kaytron Allen.Both teams are a combined 2-for-15 on third downs.PinnedLink copiedPenn State gets too aggressive on fourth downMid 2Q: Penn State 14, Michigan State 10Both coaches have stayed aggressive on short yardage so far. Penn State converted a fourth-and-1 earlier on the drive, but going for it on fourth-and-3 might've been a step too far, as Ethan Grunkemeyer couldn't find an open receiver and was sacked for a 6-yard loss at the Michigan State 28.The Spartans were unable to take advantage, going three-and-out and Penn State drained the remainder of the half clock.Grunkemeyer is 7 of 11 for 123 yards and a touchdown, while Alessio Milivojevic is 8 of 12 for just 59 yards. Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton have combined for 84 yards on 22 touches -- a steady pace toward Penn State's goal of around 35 touches for the duo.PinnedLink copiedBlocked punt!Mid 2Q: Penn State 14, Michigan State 10Dani Dennis-Sutton gets his third (!!) blocked punt of the season to set up Penn State's offense at the Michigan State 41 with a chance to add to their narrow lead.PinnedLink copiedOne-play strike puts Penn State in frontMid 2Q: Penn State 14, Michigan State 10A perfectly clean pocket for Ethan Grunkemeyer -- paired with a blown coverage in the Michigan State secondary -- allowed Devonte Ross to streak free for a 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown to give Penn State the lead. Both offenses now have one-play lightning-strike touchdown drives. It's also the longest pass play of the season for the Nittany Lions.PinnedLink copiedMichigan State unable to find end zone after explosive gainMid 2Q: Michigan State 10, Penn State 7Welp, neither side can convert on fourth-and-short. Penn State took over with great field position at its own 38 but stalled out, turning it over on a fourth-and-1 from the Michigan State 32 when Nicholas Singleton was stuffed for no gain.On the ensuing Spartans possession, Alessio Milivojevic hit Elijah Tau-Tolliver out of the backfield for a 32-yard gain to set up first-and-goal. A strong defensive stand for the Nittany Lions forced Michigan State to settle for a short field goal.PinnedLink copiedDisaster averted for Michigan State on fourth downEnd 1Q: Michigan State 7, Penn State 7Disaster narrowly avoided by Michigan State. On fourth-and-3, Alessio Milivojevic was hit from behind by Dani Dennis-Sutton as he tried to throw, and the ball popped loose. It was initially close to being ruled a fumble, but officials called it an incomplete pass, resulting in a turnover on downs instead of a potential scoop-and-score for Penn State.PinnedLink copiedPenn State giving Milivojevic trouble earlyLate 1Q: Michigan State 7, Penn State 7Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic is already feeling the heat from Penn State's relentless pass rush. The freshman was sacked seven times in his first career start at Minnesota two weeks ago and has already had to scramble out of the pocket as Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Jim Knowles brings constant pressure up the middle.PinnedLink copiedPenn State answers on direct snap to Kaytron AllenMid 1Q: Michigan State 7, Penn State 7Much better rhythm on that drive for Penn State. Kaytron Allen was the focal point, touching the ball five times and taking the direct snap inside the 10 to tie the game. The Nittany Lions picked up five first downs on a 12-play, 75-yard drive.PinnedLink copiedMichigan State strikes early with 57-yard TDEarly 1Q: Michigan State 7, Penn State 0That was fast. The Nittany Lions went three-and-out after a dropped snap and a sack on Ethan Grunkemeyer, and on the Spartans' first offensive play, Elijah Tau-Tolliver sprinted 57 yards for a touchdown to give Michigan State the early lead.PinnedLink copiedPenn State's Kaytron Allen, Nicholas Singleton one of college football's last true RB duosEven as Penn State's season has faltered, the running back duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton has been the constant. Two blue-chip recruits who arrived in Happy Valley together in 2022 still stand shoulder to shoulder while climbing the record books in their final season.Playoff hopes are gone and coach James Franklin has moved on, but Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton have remained models of consistency in an era defined by roster turnover. Together, they've bulldozed through defenses for more than 8,200 scrimmage yards and 88 touchdowns over the past four seasons -- production that already places them among the game's elite backfield duos.Penn State's Kaytron Allen, Nicholas Singleton chase records as one of college football's last true RB duosCody NagelPinnedLink copiedPenn State vs. Michigan State prediction, picksThe records may be the same, but the talent disparity heavily favors Penn State. While Michigan State has fought hard with a 5-1-0 ATS record vs. Big Ten opponents -- the Nittany Lions possess far more firepower on both sides of the ball. Last week's near-upset of No. 2 Indiana showed Penn State hasn't quit under interim coach Terry Smith, and quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer was decent, keeping the offense balanced. That could be key against a Spartans pass defense that ranks fourth in the Big Ten in yards allowed per attempt (7.6) against FBS opponents this season. With bowl eligibility still on the line and a chance to cap a tough season on a high note, Penn State should leave East Lansing comfortably. Pick: Penn State -7.5PinnedLink copiedLate down woesBoth teams have struggled in critical late-down situations against FBS opponents this season. Michigan State's offense converts just 37.4% of late downs, ranking 99th in FBS, while Penn State is more effective at 46.5% (33rd). Defensively, the Spartans allow conversions on 55.3% of opponents' late downs (92nd), and the Nittany Lions give up 54.0% (106th).PinnedLink copiedRecord chasersKaytron Allen became Penn State's career leader in rushing attempts last week, surpassing Evan Royster (2007-10). Allen has 3,613 career rushing yards, just 319 shy of Royster's all-time mark. Meanwhile, Nicholas Singleton continues climbing the Nittany Lions' record books as well, tallying 41 rushing touchdowns and 51 total touchdowns in his career, putting him within reach of Saquon Barkley's all-time school marks of 43 and 53, respectively.PinnedLink copiedQuarterback situationMichigan State coach Jonathan Smith plans to start redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic on Saturday, according to ESPN. Milivojevic threw for 311 yards in his first career start at Minnesota two weeks ago, ranking third-most by a freshman or redshirt freshman and fourth-most in any Spartans debut. Junior Aidan Chiles, who followed Smith from Oregon State last season, continued to split first-team reps in practice this week, per Smith.
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