2020 RECORD 2-5, 2-5 Big Ten
COACH Mel Tucker (2-5 in one season
at Michigan State; career collegiate
record: 7-12)
SERIES HISTORY The series is tied, 17-
17-1.
MOST RECENT MEETING Penn State fell
behind early but then outscored Michi-
gan State 29-3 in the second half to earn
a 39-24 victory on Dec. 12, 2020, at
Beaver Stadium. Jahan Dotson caught
eight passes for 108 yards and also had
an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown.
OFFENSE Against Penn State last sea-
son, Payton Thorne certainly looked like
Michigan State's quarterback of the fu-
ture, throwing for 325 yards and three
touchdowns. In the months to come,
Thorne will have to hold o3 a challenge
from Temple transfer Anthony Russo,
who displayed a strong arm while with
the Owls but also a penchant for inter-
ceptions. Whoever wins the QB battle
will have a couple of dangerous targets in
Jalen Nailor and Jayden Reed, who com-
bined to catch 59 passes for 922 yards
and seven touchdowns a year ago. In the
back9eld, Wake Forest transfer Kenneth
Walker III 9gures to boost a running
game that ranked 122nd in the Football
Bowl Subdivision last season. Walker
scored 17 touchdowns in his last two sea-
sons with the Demon Deacons, and the
Spartans are desperate for more scoring
punch a
