Blue White Illustrated

Michigan State Postgame

Penn State Sports Magazine

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P O S T G A M E R E P O R T W E E K 1 2 M I C H I G A N S T A T E 5 5 , P E N N S T A T E 1 6 N O V E M B E R 2 8 , 2 0 1 5 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M THE GAME AT A GLANCE GOOD NEWSFacing a Michigan State de- fense that had given up only 132 yards a week earlier vs. Ohio State, the Lions made some plays. They ac- tually outgained the Spartans 268-200 in the first half and held the ball for nearly 18 minutes. BAD NEWS Michigan State converted 8 of 11 third-down opportu- nities and scored touchdowns on all four of its red zone chances. There were a lot of problems in all phases of the game, but the defense's in- ability to get off the field really kept Penn State from having any shot at mounting a comeback. THE TAKEAWAY Yes, it was just one game, but it's hard to main- tain the perception that things are headed in the right direction when you're on the wrong end of a 39- point defeat. The Lions will need a strong showing in their bowl game to make November a distant memory. 1 M A T T   H E R B | M A T T @ B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M GREEN LIGHT Michigan State pounds PSU en route to Big Ten title game It was all going surprisingly well for Penn State's beleaguered offense. Facing a Michigan State de- fense that had stonewalled Ohio State a week ear- lier, the Nittany Lions had easily surpassed the Buckeyes' yardage total, and were driving late in the first half Saturday in East Lansing. But then tight end Kyle Carter fumbled while being tackled aAer a catch, and safety Demetrious Cox scooped up the loose ball and weaved 77 yards through Penn State's offense for a touch- down. The swing – from potential Nittany Lion scoring drive to Michigan State touchdown – put Penn State in a 17-point hole from which it was going to have trouble escaping on the road against the Big Ten's highest ranked team. And as it turned out, the Lions didn't escape. In fact, they CRUNCH TIME Hackenberg is un- able to evade Michi- gan State's Riley Bullough. Photo by Steve Manuel

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