Recap: Penn State beats Michigan State, 35-16

Jared Ramsey
The Detroit News

Michigan State's season is over after a 35-16 loss to Penn State. The loss gives the Spartans a 5-7 record for the 2022 season, a game short of the threshold for postseason play. MSU fought hard against the No. 11 team in the country, but couldn't find enough offense or consistent stops to pull off the upset on the road.

Payton Thorne had a solid game in the final outing of his junior season, throwing for 229 yards and one touchdown to Maliq Carr. MSU could not overcome three turnovers The defense was solid with a depleted defensive line and secondary but could not stop quarterback Sean Clifford, who threw for four touchdowns, or running back Nick Singleton for Penn State, who finishes the season at 10-2.

Penn State adds insurance TD

3:56 4Q: Penn State took a shot on the first play after the interception for a touchdown despite having the game all but won.

4:04 4Q: In a last-ditch effort to make a play to save the season, Paytorn Thorne hurled the ball into double-coverage for an interception to end the year.

Penn State ices game with late TD

4:31 4Q: Penn State did not flinch at MSU's comeback and methodically drove down the field for a touchdown to seal the win.

Thorne TD makes it a one-score game

10:52 4Q: Michigan State marched down the field for a second touchdown in as many drives. Thorne and his wide receivers connected in big ways on third downs to keep the drive alive to set Thorne up for a walk-in touchdown run. The two-point conversion was no good.

15:00 4Q: MSU ended the third quarter with a key third down sack to force a Penn State punt.

Carr hauls in 1-handed TD catch for MSU

1:37 3Q: Maliq Carr delivered the highlight of the day for Michigan State with a one-handed catch with a defender draped on his shoulders in the endzone for the first MSU touchdown.

Penn State uses turnover to build 3-TD lead

5:42 3Q: Penn State scored off the turnover immediately on a go route to tight end Tyler Warren, who made a contested catch in the endzone to put the Nittany Lions up 21-3.

6:27 3Q: Jayden Reed fumbled on the punt return to give the ball back to Penn State deep in Michigan State territory.

9:42 3Q: The offense could not do anything after the stop and punted the ball back promptly to the Nittany Lions.

11:11 3Q: Michigan State's defense got a big stop out of halftime thanks to big plays from the defensive line to force a punt.

Stone hits long field goal to give MSU points

0:00 2Q: True freshman Jack Stone gave MSU its first points of the game with a 51-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. Stone replaced Ben Patton who missed the game-winning kick against Indiana a week ago.

1:27 2Q: Penn State failed to build its lead with a missed chip shot field goal in the red zone.

6:56 2Q: The best MSU drive of the game came to an end on fourth down after Thorne misfired on a slant to move the chains. The Penn State defensive line is continuing its dominant day against the MSU offensive line.

Penn State doubles lead with trickery

11:22 2Q: Penn State doubled its lead with a trick play to tight end Theo Johnson for his second touchdown of the first half. Johnson was wide open on the double pass from the fake screen and walked into the endzone.

13:38 2Q: Michigan State couldn't answer the touchdown and punted after a string of incompletions.

Penn State scores first

0:40 1Q: A long Penn State drive ended with an easy touchdown after Michigan State's defense left a tight end wide open in the end zone. The Nittany Lions converted on a fourth down after a long run from running back Nick Singleton to set up the score.

5:42 1Q: Penn State's defensive line is causing problems early for MSU's offense. Back-to-back negative plays killed the Spartans' drive around midfield forcing another Bryce Baringer punt.

7:58 1Q: The depleted Michigan State defense forced a quick punt with the help of an untimely third down penalty for Penn State. The Spartans took over near its own 40 after a good return from Jayden Reed.

10:14 1Q: Penn State sacked Thorne twice to quickly stop MSU's second drive and force a punt.

12:32 1Q: Penn State couldn't capitalize on the early Michigan State turnover thanks to a missed field goal. MSU escapes the mistake unscathed.

13:45 1Q: Michigan State had one of the worst starts imaginable. On the first drive, Payton Thorne underthrew a backwards pass to Jayden Reed and the fumble was recovered by Penn State deep in MSU territory.

Pregame

It is do-or-die time for Michigan State. The Spartans enter its final game of the regular season against Penn State needing a win to secure bowl eligibility after the disappointing loss to Indiana at home last week. MSU can salvage a 6-6 season today with an upset win on the road over the Nittany Lions.

Michigan State still will be shorthanded due to injuries and suspensions. Seven of the eight suspended Michigan State players from the incident at Michigan have been charged with misdemeanors or felonies for their involvement with the brawl and all eight will be unavailable against Penn State. MSU will need a bounce back on both sides of the ball after the failure against Indiana to find a way to win on the road against Penn State.

Among the Spartans out of the lineup because of injuries were offensive linemen Jarrett Horst, Matt Carrick and Brian Greene as well as defensive backs Charles Brantley, Jaden Mangham and Ronald Williams. Defensive end Jeff Pietrowski and long snapper Hank Pepper remain out of the lineup and defensive lineman Jalen Hunt is also out.

Mel Tucker and Michigan State face Penn State on Saturday.

It will be a tall order, however, as Penn State enters the game as the No. 11 team in the country with a 9-2 record. Penn State can all but secure an invitation to a New Years' Six Bowl with a win today to move into the top 10 teams in the country.

Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Jared Ramsey.

Michigan State at Penn State

▶ Kickoff: 4 p.m. Saturday, Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

▶ TV/radio: FS1/760-AM

▶ Line: Penn State by 17½

▶ Records: Michigan State 5-6 (3-5 Big Ten); No. 11 Penn State 9-2 (6-2 Big Ten)

▶ Series: Michigan State leads, 18-17-1 (Last game: November 27, 2021 — (at) Michigan State 30, Penn State 27)