It wasn’t pretty in the first half, but eventually No. 7 MSU pulled away Saturday, topping Penn State, 34-10 , from Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
The win was MSU’s final regular season game of the year and now sets up the Spartans for a bowl game during the holiday season. Before looking ahead to the bowl game, here are four takeaways from Saturday’s contest between MSU and PSU.
Bringing back the spartan dawgs
MSU opened the month of November on the wrong foot, especially its defense. After giving up 49 points — which included six straight touchdown drives — to the Buckeyes, many thought the dominance on defense was officially gone for MSU. Even some ignorant fans called for defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi’s head.
But, since then MSU has re-established itself as a force defensively with another strong performance Saturday. In the final three game stretch, MSU averaged less than 10 points against and 240 total yards per game, and forced nine total turnovers.
It’s safe to say the “Spartan Dawgs” are back on track.
Run Langford Run
Senior running back Jeremy Langford extended his consecutive 100-yard rushing streak to nine games on the season and 16 against Big Ten opponents. But, none may be more impressive than Saturday’s production.
Langford was able to rack up 118 yards and two touchdowns against the No. 1-ranked rushing defense in the country. His two touchdowns helped preserve the Spartan victory, with both coming in the second half.
Langford is approaching a new career high in season yards with 1,360 yards so far, and he still has the bowl game to go. Saturday’s performance shows that it doesn’t matter who is on the other side of the ball — Langford is still going to get his numbers.
Connor Can’t Cook
While MSU was able to reach 34 points Saturday, it wasn’t an easy go for junior quarterback Connor Cook .
Cook struggled in the first half, only completing four of 13 passes , and finished with just 180 passing yards for the game. PSU boasts one of the best defenses in the country and certainly played a role in Cook’s performance, but it’s still concerning as bowl season approaches.
Sit back and wait
With no more games left on the schedule for MSU, it’s time for the Spartans to sit back and wait to hear their bowl game destination.
MSU took care of business Saturday, finishing the season 10-2 and cementing a spot in the top 10 in next Sunday’s final College Football Playoff rankings . The Spartans were able to make easy work of its final three opponents since losing to Ohio State and should be a lock for one of the selection committee’s non-playoff major bowl games.
The one thing that could ruin MSU’s chances at landing a spot in the Peach, Cotton, Orange or Fiesta Bowl is a No. 6 OSU loss in the Big Ten Football Championship Game on Saturday. If No. 11 Wisconsin wins, that means it could come down to a decision by the committee between MSU and OSU for an at-large spot in one of those bowls. And with the history of MSU being left out in these situations, the Spartans should be a little bit nervous.
