Recap: Penn State-Michigan State score, time, notes, and more

STATE COLLEGE — No. 11 Penn State hosts Michigan State in both teams’ regular season finale on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on FOX Sports One. A light crowd is likely, considering the Thanksgiving break for students and first day of hunting Pennsylvania. However, a beautiful day is on tap for those who do make it to Beaver Stadium.

“I think we all know what’s at stake, and the players know that as well,” Spartans coach Mel Tucker said this week. “I don’t think there’s any reason to continue to harp on that. That’s talking about the end result. What we need to focus on as a program, as players and coaches, is what we need to do every single day to prepare for that opportunity. 

“Semantic responsibility is important,” he added. “What comes out of my mouth — how I say it and why I say it — matters. And so, our focus is on the process. We all know what’s at stake in terms of bowl eligibility.”

Penn State coach James Franklin also previewed the game this week.

“This week with Michigan State and Coach Tucker, who I’ve known for a long time and got a lot of respect for, obviously going to be a challenge coming into our place playing for maybe the most beautiful trophy in all of college football,” he said.

“If you guys haven’t seen it or anybody listening to this hasn’t seen it, look it up. The Land Grant Trophy is just a sight to be seen. It’s just beautiful.”

The Land Grant Trophy is on the line, of course. The Spartans currently possess it after beating the Lions 30-27 last season.

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Penn State-Michigan State key links

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Penn State-Michigan State fourth quarter updates

7:29 — Final score: Penn State 35, Michigan State 16.

7:16 — Touchdown, Penn State: KeAndre Lambert-Smith is on the receiving end of a 35-yard Sean Clifford scoring toss. The Michigan State threat has been extinguished with 3:56 to play.

7:15 — Interception: Kalen King picks off Payton Thorne, who was slow to leave the field. It was a desperation heave, and King stepped right in front of it. Lions start at the Michigan State 35.

7:09 — Touchdown, Penn State: Sean Clifford hit Nicholas Singleton at the line of scrimmage and he raced into the end zone untouched for six. It’s PSU 28, MSU 16 with 4:31 left.

6:54 — Payton Thorne was hurried on a two point conversion try and Keaton Ellis knocked down his pass. It’s Penn State 21, Michigan State 16, early in the fourth quarter.

6:53 — Touchdown Michigan State: Payton Thorne just ran in from a few yards out and suddenly we have a one-score game at Beaver Stadium with 10:52 to play.

Lions-Spartans third quarter updates

6:40 — Sean Clifford was just sacked again. The Michigan State pass rush has been effective too often. Penn State will punt it away to start the fourth quarter.

6:34 — Touchdown Michigan State: Thorne to Carr, who caught it against Kobe King in coverage. Michigan State is hanging around still. It’s PSU 21, MSU 10.

6:20 — Penn State ball: Michigan State fumbles the punt, and the Lions fell on it. Ji’Ayir Brown forced it and Tyler Warren fell on it. Lions take over at the Michigan State 17.

Penn State-Michigan State second quarter updates

5:41 — The Michigan State field goal attempt is good. Penn State 14, Michigan State 3 at halftime. The Lions get the ball first to start the second half.

5:33 — Jake Pinegar’s 28-yard field goal is no good. It’s his second miss of the day. Penn State 14, Michigan State 0 with 1:27 left in the half.

5:17 — Dom DeLuca breaks up Payton Thorne’s fourth down pass. Penn State will take over at its own 33 leading Michigan State 14-0 with 6:56 left in the first half.

5:05 — Touchdown Penn State: KeAndre Lambert-Smith just threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Theo Johnson. It was a beautiful throw. Jake Pinegar has made the extra point. It’s Lions 14, Michigan State 0 in the second quarter.

Lions-Michigan State first quarter updates

4:49 — After one, it’s Penn State 7, Michigan State 0.

4:45 — Touchdown, Penn State: Sean Clifford hit a wide open Theo Johnson for the Lions’ first score of the day. Jake Pinegar’s extra point was good. It’s 7-0 late in the first quarter.

4:15 — Jake Pinegar’s field goal is no good. James Franklin is irate on the sideline. He wanted a leaping penalty to be called. It was not. So, the Lions get nothing out of the Michigan State turnover.

4:13 — Michigan State just fumbled, and Penn State recovered it. Tyler Elsdon jumped on the loose ball. The Lions take over at the Spartans 24.

4:09 — The game is underway. Penn State won the toss and deferred.

Lions-Spartans pregame updates

3:31 p.m. – Announced offensive starters:

LT – Drew Shelton
LG – Hunter Nourzad
C – Juice Scruggs
RG – Sal Wormley
RT – Bryce Effner
TE – Brenton Strange
WR – KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Mitchell Tinsley
WR – Harrison Wallace III
RB – Kaytron Allen
QB – Sean Clifford

3:30 p.m. – Announced defensive starters:

DE – Adisa Isaac
DE – Nick Tarburton
DT – Hakeem Beamon
DT – PJ Mustipher
LB – Curtis Jacobs
Tyler Elsdon
LB – Abdul Carter
S – Keaton Ellis
CB – Kalen King
CB – Daequan Hardy
S – Ji’Ayir Brown
CB – Joey Porter Jr.

3:27 p.m. – Starting offensive line repping: Drew Shelton, Hunter Nourzad, Juice Scruggs, Sal Wormley, Bryce Effner.

3:23 p.m. – Joey Porter Jr. is dressed.

3:22 p.m. – Olu Fashanu not dressed. Nick Dawkins and Golden Israel-Achumba also out with Landon Tengwall on the offensive line.

3:17 p.m.: No Keyvone Lee. Tank Smith not dressed. Penn State has three dressed running backs today. Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Tyler Holzworth.

2:45 p.m. — Penn State arrived at roughly 2 p.m. Pregame warmups are underway.