The Land Grant Trophy

Penn State traveled to East Lansing, Michigan to take on the 6-5 Spartans. The first score came from Michigan State on a 12 yard completion to Devin Thomas. Penn State followed this up with a 37 yd strike to Deon Butler. After this PSU looked in control, rattling off 17 unanswered points, capped off by a fake field goal run by Kicker Kevin Kelly from 5 yards out. Halfway through the 3rd quarter the Nittany Lions look in control ahead now by the score of 24-7 in the 3rd. Then came the Spartans, storming hard and playing hungry resulting in two TD's in the 3rd quarter. Both TD's where behind the arm of Brian Hoyer pulling the Spartans closer, 21-24. After a string of 3 and outs PSU finally put together a quick drive, capped off with a 4 yard TD run from Rodney Kinlaw early in the fourth. Unfortunately for the Lions, the fight in Spartans would not quit. Michigan State went 40 yards in 4 plays, finishing the drive with a 26 yard pass from Brian Hoyer to Devin Thomas. Michigan State then followed up that drive, with a 80 yard 12 play drive finished with a 1 yd TD run by Jehuu Caulcrick. After the last Penn State drive ended on a Turnover on Downs, they had another opportunity. Yet they failed to convert, behind a pass that was completed but to short and the clock continued to run and eventually expired. Penn State would finish the season 8-4, while Michigan State finished the season at 7-5. The series is now tied at 12-12-1 and the Land Grant Trophy will stay in East Lansing for the time being.


(photo courtesy of AP)