Big Ten Blog

Category: MSU

MSU loses 42-14

What a messy day for the Spartans. The defense got off to a bad start this season and ended it in stinky fashion. The waiting game begins to see where MSU is headed for a bowl game. Do you think this program deserves to be in one after this loss?

Category: MSU

Clark again. 35-7, end of 3rd

If you're a MSU fan, feel free to stop watching. This is gonna get even nastier. Darryl Clark throws a 27-yard touchdown pass to Graham Zug. The Spartans' secondary has been absolutely abused in all aspects of the game and the offense hasn't done anything in the second half. Can someone say Pizza Pizza?

Category: MSU

Nittany Lions rolling, up 28-7

Terrible turn of events for MSU as Kirk Cousins threw a pass picked off by Nick Sukay. Sukay returned it 34 yards. Darryl Clark then zips a 32-yard pass to Graham Zug for a touchdown. Cousins appeared to be in a panic during the turnover. He tried to get the ball to Mark Dell while PSU was in cover three. He ran right and threw the ball across his body. Cousins definitely should have ran to get some kind of yards.

Category: MSU

21-7 PSU. Big play

Fullback Joe Suhey, all 6-foot-1, 236 pounds of him, catches a 31-yard Daryll Clark pass late in the third quarter for a score. It's a tricky play as Penn State snuck Suhey out of the backfield and had him run somewhat of a wheel route on the far right sideline. The Spartans have been burnt on this play before. There's 6:19 left.

Category: MSU

14-7, PSU

Curtis Drake takes a pitch and tosses 14 yards to Andrew Quareless for a touchdown early in the third yarter. Drake is a backup receiver and ripped the pass while a couple of MSU defenders had their backs turned.

Category: MSU

7-7 at halftime

This is definitely my kind of game. Two well-coached teams, low scoring, hard hits and a sellout Spartan Stadium crowd. I like MSU's strategy so far, but can't help but wonder how effective the running game will be in the second half.

The defense hasn't been too bad, but had some breakdowns in pass coverage leading to the first Penn State score. Guys are playing inspired football. Daryll Clark got sacked by Greg Jones for a 5-yard loss to set up a third-and-15 with 7 seconds before halftime. A 51-yard field goal attempt failed.

Mark Dantonio has to be pleased heading into the locker room. Credit this team for hanging in there. I still think MSU will win. The Spartans are playing for pride and a great opportunity to play in a warm weather bowl game.

Category: MSU

MSU scores: 7-7

Charlie Gantt catches an 11-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins with 45 seconds left in the half.

Cousins looked extremely sharp during this drive. He threw two bullets to Mark Dell. Credit Dell for two acrobatic catches of 20 and 24 yards to set up the score.

The Spartans' passing game might be what makes the difference today. Penn State came into this game leading the Big Ten in sacks. Credit MSU's offensive line for giving Cousins time.

Category: MSU

Blown coverage. PSU up 7-0

Daryll Clark finds Andrew Quarless for a 29-yard touchdown pass to end a 5-play, 56-yard scoring drive that took 2:12 off the clock. It looked like Jon Misch got beat on the play pretty badly.

Category: MSU

0-0, 5:54 left in 2nd

Penn State misses a 38-yard field goal. Credit safety Danny Fortener for two huge stops on second and third down during the Nittany Lions' drive. He got a pass breakup and made a stop for a 1-yard loss.

Fortener could have one special senior day if MSU pulls this game out. He's had a great year.

Category: MSU

Daryll Clark struggling

Daryll Clark burned the Spartans for huge pass plays last season but isn't doing much so far. Keep an eye out for the screen pass. MSU had tons of problems stopping it last year.