Redshirt freshman running back Elijah Collins (24) extends a stiff arm during the game against Penn State Oct. 26, 2019 at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans fell to the Nittany Lions, 28-7.
—No. 6 Penn State leads Michigan State 21-0 at the half in East Lansing.
Did anything really change for the Spartans in the past two weeks? The Spartans dealt with its same struggles that has plagued them during their two-game losing streak: a lack of run game, the ability to convert on third down and the ability to get off of the field on third down.
All of it has, once again, put Michigan State in a dangerous position of getting blown out to a a top-10 team.
New week, same struggles
Even a week off couldn't get Michigan State's offense back in gear. The streak of scoreless offensive drive for the Spartans reached 24 consecutive possessions in the first half as MSU once again struggled to run the ball and drops killed promising drives.
Michigan State's offense went three-and-out on its first possession, despite positioning itself well with a 7-yard run by Elijah Collins on first down. The Spartans called Collins' number on the next two plays which resulted in a 2-yard run and and one for no gain.
Punt.
After Penn State took a 7-0 lead on its next possession, Michigan State moved the ball into opposing territory, but the drive stalled after Collins dropped a well-set-up screen play on third down. The Nittany Lions went down the field right away to give themselves a two score lead.
Michigan State responded with another three-and-out.
The Spartan defense forced a punt on the ensuing Penn State drive, but nothing came out of it after Michigan State's moved into Penn State territory and Matt Coghlin's 46-yard field field goal was blocked. A holding on Matt Dotson pushed the Spartans back before Brian Lewerke was sacked on the next play and another screen to Collins came up short on third down.
MSU had one more look at the end zone before the half, but Lewerke was sacked on his Hail Mary attempt. So, five first half possessions which finished in three punts, a blocked field goal and a sack to end the half.
Lewerke finished the half 8-for-16 for 59 yards, while the offense gained a total of 125 yards in the half.
Not so elite defense anymore
At times it looked too easy — again.
On all three of its scoring drives, the Nittany Lions moved down the field with ease and connected with their big tight end, Pat Freiermuth in the end zone on two occasions.
Sean Clifford connected with Freiermuth for a 16-yard touchdown to cap an eight play, 62-yard drive. Clifford floated a ball into what looked like a dangerous scenario with three Spartan defenders in the vicinity. But, cornerback Josh Butler got turned around underneath and Xavier Henderson didn't get over the top quick enough, and Clifford found an open pocket to connect with his tight end.
Clifford went to Freiermuth again in the red zone on Penn State's next drive. The tight end caught the ball and muscled his way into the end zone for a 19-yard score to give the Nittany Lions a 13-0 lead — the PAT was missed.
Penn State gained 209 in the first half, as Clifford threw for 127 yards and three scores on 12-for-17 passing.
After the blocked field goal set Penn State's offense up near midfield, the Nittany Lions went right back down the field and Clifford connected with K.J. Hamler for his first game-breaking play of the afternoon — a 27-yard touchdown. Clifford used his legs to pick up the two-point conversion on the next play to extend the lead to 21-0.
Third Down Struggles
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On each of Penn State's scoring drives the Spartans had numerous chances to get off of the field, but hurt itself with penalties.
On Penn State's first scoring drive, the possession was extended when DT Naquan Jones jumped offsides on third-and-1. The Nittany Lions converted on another third down later in the drive, which led to their first touchdown on the next play.
It looked like Michigan State forced a three-and-out on Penn State's next drive, but a defensive holding negated an incomplete pass, and the Nittany Lions went right back down the field and into the end zone.
The Spartans made another stop on third down following the blocked field goal, but Penn State went for it on fourth-and-1 and extended the drive. Hamler made the play a couple of plays later.
