MSU got the ball after stopping Penn State first and was led on the field by junior quarterback Damion Terry, a native of Pennsylvania. It was Terry's first start of the season. 

Terry helped lead the Spartans to an opening drive field goal from senior kicker Michael Geiger. After stopping Penn State, Terry led MSU back into the redzone and Geiger capped it off with another field goal.

With MSU leading 6-0, Penn State and quarterback Trace McSorley helped engineer a Nittany Lion scoring drive that went 10 plays for 60 yards and resulted in a field goal, cutting MSU’s lead in half. MSU, however, answered with another field goal, increasing their lead back to six.

During that drive, MSU lost Terry to a concussion. He went through protocol and was not cleared to play, ending his evening. Terry was 7-12 for 101 yards as well as four carries for 13 yards and a 15-yard reception on a trick play before the injury.

Penn State responded effectively as McSorley spread the ball around to a number of receivers and got the Nittany Lions down to the one-yard line. From there, sophomore running back Saquon Barkley, who leads the Big Ten in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, leaped over the pile to take a 10-9 lead.

McSorley finished the half going 7-9 for 111 yards, and Barkley had only nine yards on nine carries, but one touchdown. Five different Penn State receivers caught passes from McSorley in the first half.

MSU’s final drive of the half was led by quarterback replacement Tyler O’Connor, 7-10 for 54 yards in 13 play, and was a 72-yard drive in just over two minutes to get Geiger his fourth field goal of the game –– this one a chip shot from 21-yards

Geiger also hit from 28, 33, and 36 yards

The Spartans bested Penn State in total yards (256 to 127), rushing yards (86-16) and passing yards (170-111). All four of MSU’s scoring drives went over 10 plays and got inside the Penn State 20-yard line. MSU could not convert those chances into touchdowns. 

MSU came into the game bruised up, as defensive lineman Malik McDowell and cornerback Tyson Smith each did not dress for their third straight games. In addition, MSU was without the services of senior safety and captain Demetrious Cox, who did not dress for his final game.

During the game, MSU lost not just Terry, but offensive lineman Kodi Kieler and Brandon Clemons for the game. Sophomore running back L.J. Scott was also injured and ESPN reported he would be out for the game as well. Scott finishes the year with 972 yards, just 28 short of 1,000.

Stay with the State News for more coverage during and after MSU’s final football game of the season.