Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
Welcome to Penn State-Michigan State week. Terry Smith’s Nittany Lions (3-6, 0-6) travel to East Lansing Saturday for a Big Ten matchup with the Spartans (3-6, 0-6). PSU is seeking its first victory since the Lions beat Villanova 52-6 on Sept. 13 at Beaver Stadium. MSU is in the same situation. The Spartans’ last victory also occurred on Sept. 13, a 41-24 triumph over Youngstown State in East Lansing. Here are some early storylines. Battle of the winless. There are three teams still winless in Big Ten play – Penn State (0-6), Michigan State (0-6) and Purdue (0-7). PSU dropped a 27-24 decision to No. 2 Indiana on Saturday in State College. Michigan State, coming off a bye week, lost 23-20 in overtime to Minnesota on Nov. 1 in Minneapolis. The Spartans allowed a tying touchdown with 29 seconds left in regulation. MSU kicked a field goal on its first possession in OT, and the Gophers won the game on Drake Lindsey’s three-yard scoring run on their first possession. Tracking Penn State’s explosive plays vs. MSU. In the Lions’ five games prior to Saturday’s loss to Indiana, the Penn State offense struggled to make explosive plays (20 or more yards). In games against Oregon, UCLA, Northwestern, Iowa and Ohio State, PSU generated a total of 11 explosive runs or passes. The Lions produced six explosive plays against the Hoosiers – five passes, one rush – and Nick Singleton added a 19-yard touchdown reception. Wideout Trebor Pena had receptions of 43, 21 and 20 yards against Indiana and Singleton had a 59-yard rush. Will PSU’s big-play success continue against MSU? Young QBs in the spotlight. Penn State redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer will be making his fourth career start on Saturday. He should have an easier time of it against a Spartans’ defense that is ranked 114th in FBS in points per game allowed (31.4). Grunkemeyer’s first three starts were at Iowa, at Ohio State and home against Indiana. The Hawkeyes, Buckeyes and Hoosiers are ranked No. 4, No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in fewest points allowed per game. MSU turned to redshirt freshman quarterback Alessio Milivojevic as its starter in the Minnesota game. He took over for Aidan Chiles, the Spartans’ No. 1 quarterback at the start of the season. Milivojevic threw for 311 yards and a touchdown in MSU’s loss to Minnesota. The Lions’ late-game struggles. PSU had a lead late in losses to Oregon, Northwestern, Iowa and Indiana. The Lions must perform better in the fourth quarter against Michigan State if they want to end their six-game slide.
