MSU outgained Penn State 256 to 127 in the first half, but the second half was a drastically different story. Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley and the Nittany Lions had a different urgency on offense, outscoring MSU 28-0 in the second half, getting a 45-12 victory and the crown of Big Ten East Champions.

It started with Penn State’s sack on fifth-year senior Tyler O’Connor at the MSU five-yard line, which got great field position to start their first second half drive. After a third-down conversion, McSorley took a play-action and slung a perfect pass to wide receiver Chris Godwin for a 36-yard touchdown pass, giving the Nittany Lions with 11:02 left in the third quarter.

MSU junior quarterback Damion Terry, a Pennsylvania native, got the start for MSU and finished 7-12 for 101 yards and had four carries for 13 yards before being knocked out of the game with a concussion during MSU’s third offensive possession. The game changed for MSU when O’Connor took over, as he finished the day 17-33 with 118 yards and a lost fumble on a snap.

Penn State’s next two drives ended similarly to the first, as the defense held MSU and deep throws from McSorley resulted in touchdowns. After one to Godwin, McSorley found tight end Mike Gesicki for a 45-yard score and then Godwin again for a 59-yard touchdown on blown MSU coverage. McSorley went 17-23 for 374 yards and four touchdowns, while Godwin had five catches for 135 yards and two scores.

Two more scores from Penn State running back Andre Robinson –– one rushing and one receiving –– officially sealed the victory. MSU had 88 total plays to just 57 for Penn State, as well as 19 first down to the Nittany Lions nine. However, most of those stats are affected by the Spartans solid first half performance offensively.

Some MSU players fell just short of milestones in the game. Sophomore running back L.J. Scott carried the ball for 59 yards, giving him just under 1,000 rushing yards for the season at 994. Junior linebacker Chris Frey, who has been the Spartans healthiest linebacker all season, finished with five tackles, extending his career high and putting just short of 100 tackles for the year with 95.

The Spartans lost both Terry and offensive lineman Brandon Clemons in the first half, and were without defensive lineman Malik McDowell and cornerback Tyson Smith for the third straight game. Senior safety and captain Demetrious Cox, another Pennsylvania native, did not dress either, ending his Spartan career.

Penn State sophomore running back Saquon Barkley, who came into the game leading the Big Ten in rushing yards and touchdowns, was contained by MSU in the first half, generating nine yards on nine carries and a one-yard touchdown run. He finished with 14 yards on 12 carries after exiting in the third quarter with an apparent knee injury.

The Spartans finish their 2016 football campaign 3-9 and just 1-8 in the Big Ten. MSU will have to replace key playmakers like wide receiver R.J Shelton and tight end Josiah Price on offense as well as linebacker Riley Bullough an potentially McDowell on defense if the start lineman decides to declare for the NFL Draft.

MSU turns to offseason workouts and recruiting now with the season completed.