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Clifford leads Penn State past Michigan State 39-24
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) Little by little over the last three games, Penn State has come closer to being the team coach James Franklin thought he'd have before the season began.
A come-from-behind, 39-24 win over Michigan State on Saturday is evidence enough for Franklin to know the Nittany Lions have put their early-season struggles behind them.
''The resiliency that we have shown, I'm proud of them,'' Franklin said. ''It's not something that we've experienced or been through, so to find a way to show that type of heart, I'm very proud of them. The last three weeks we have found ways to win which is really what we've done for the last seven years.''
Quarterback Sean Clifford completed 17 of 27 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns and added 48 yards and another touchdown on the ground. Parker Washington hauled in a pair of touchdown passes for the Nittany Lions (3-5) who trailed 21-10 at halftime.
Backup quarterback Will Levis added a rushing touchdown and receiver Jahan Dotson returned a punt 81 yards for a score for the Nittany Lions who won their third straight.
''It's nice to see the team playing complete games,'' Clifford said. ''When the defense needs help, the offense is stepping up. When the offense needs help, the defense is stepping up.''
Payton Thorne made his first start at quarterback and completed 22 of 39 passes for 325 yards with three touchdowns and an interception for the Spartans (2-6).
But despite a strong start, the Spartans couldn't keep up as the game progressed. They scored just three points after halftime, and the Nittany Lions scored 21 unanswered points to close out the game.
''There's no such thing as a safe lead, especially in college football,'' Michigan State coach Mel Tucker said. ''We all know you've got to play for 60 minutes. You've got to play for four quarters.''
Penn State had trouble in the first two.
Except for a 24-yard field goal from Jake Pinegar and a 31-yard touchdown run from Clifford two possessions later, the Nittany Lions sputtered in the first half. They mustered just 50 rushing yards on 19 other carries, converted just four of eight third downs, committed four penalties and went three-and-out on their final drive of the half with 1:21 left and all three timeouts.
The Spartans were much more efficient thanks to Thorne's arm.
The freshman quarterback found a wide-open Jalen Nailor down the middle for a 45-yard score that made it 7-3. About seven minutes later, Thorne threaded a pass through tight coverage to Tre'Von Morgan from 26 yards out to put the Spartans up 14-10.
Michigan State went up 21-10 when Nailor outleapt a defensive back to snag a jump ball in the corner of the end zone with 1:26 to play in the half.
But Penn State came out of halftime with more energy. Clifford and Levis alternated snaps and steered Penn State's offense into the red zone where Clifford hooked up with Washington for an 8-yard touchdown pass. A two-point conversion catch from Jahan Dotson cut Michigan State's lead to 21-18.
Matt Coghlin responded with a 24-yard field goal to extend the Spartans' lead.
It didn't last long.
Clifford and Levis each completed back-to-back deep balls and Levis scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give Penn State a 25-24 lead at the end of the third.
Washington put the game out of reach with a 49-yard touchdown pass, and Dotson added an 81-yard punt return touchdown just over two minutes later for good measure.
END OF THE LINE
The Nittany Lions bottled up Michigan State's running game all afternoon. The Spartans managed just 64 rushing yards on 31 carries.
Meanwhile, Penn State's defense made 10 tackles for losses with four sacks, five quarterback hits and an interception.
''Everybody just realizes, this is who we are,'' defensive end Shaka Toney said.
THE TAKEAWAY
Michigan State: Despite the lousy result, the Spartans played much harder than they did in their blowout loss against No. 3 Ohio State a week ago. They also may have found something in Thorne, who started his first game and looked confident, poised and in control for most of the afternoon.
Penn State: The Nittany Lions' goal was to win out after starting 0-5. Though they accomplished that, and looked much better on offense and defense over their final three games, this team still has a lot of room to improve.
UP NEXT
Michigan State: TBD, pending seeding to Big Ten championships.
Penn State: TBD, pending seeding to Big Ten championships.
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P. Thorne
1 QB 325 PaYds, 3 PaTDs, INT, -20 RuYds |
|
S. Clifford
14 QB 232 PaYds, 2 PaTDs, 48 RuYds, RuTD |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 21 | 21 |
Rushing | 4 | 7 |
Passing | 15 | 12 |
Penalty | 2 | 2 |
3rd Down Conv | 3-12 | 4-12 |
4th Down Conv | 0-1 | 0-1 |
Total Net Yards | 389 | 405 |
Total Plays | 70 | 70 |
Avg Gain | 5.6 | 5.8 |
Net Yards Rushing | 64 | 119 |
Rush Attempts | 31 | 40 |
Avg Rush Yards | 2.1 | 3.0 |
Yards Passing | 325 | 286 |
Comp. - Att. | 22-39 | 20-30 |
Yards Per Pass | 8.0 | 9.5 |
Penalties - Yards | 7-57 | 5-45 |
Touchdowns | 3 | 5 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 2 |
Passing TDs | 3 | 2 |
Other | 0 | 1 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 1-1 |
Int. Thrown | 1 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 7-44.3 | 5-41.8 |
Return Yards | 10 | 99 |
Punts - Returns | 1-10 | 2-81 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 1-18 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
P. Thorne
10 QB
|
P. Thorne | 22/39 | 325 | 3 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Simmons
22 RB
|
J. Simmons | 14 | 72 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Heyward
11 RB
|
C. Heyward | 5 | 10 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Reed
5 WR
|
J. Reed | 2 | 7 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Collins
24 RB
|
E. Collins | 1 | -3 | 0 | -3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Thorne
10 QB
|
P. Thorne | 8 | -20 | 0 | 2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Nailor
8 WR
|
J. Nailor | 9 | 6 | 100 | 2 | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Reed
5 WR
|
J. Reed | 10 | 6 | 76 | 0 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Dotson
89 TE
|
M. Dotson | 4 | 3 | 48 | 0 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Mosley
17 WR
|
T. Mosley | 4 | 3 | 30 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Morgan
18 WR
|
T. Morgan | 3 | 1 | 26 | 1 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Gervin
18 CB
|
K. Gervin | 1 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Hunt
97 TE
|
T. Hunt | 2 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E. Collins
24 RB
|
E. Collins | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Martinez
25 WR
|
J. Martinez | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. Coghlin
4 K
|
M. Coghlin | 1/1 | 23 | 3/3 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. Baringer
99 P
|
B. Baringer | 6 | 44.3 | 1 | 55 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Crawford
94 P
|
M. Crawford | 1 | 44.0 | 0 | 44 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Reed
5 WR
|
J. Reed | 1 | 20.0 | 20 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Reed 5 WR
|
J. Reed | 1 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
S. Clifford
14 QB
|
S. Clifford | 17/27 | 232 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
W. Levis
7 QB
|
W. Levis | 3/3 | 54 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
S. Clifford
14 QB
|
S. Clifford | 9 | 48 | 1 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Levis
7 QB
|
W. Levis | 15 | 36 | 1 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Lee
24 RB
|
K. Lee | 12 | 31 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Holmes
26 RB
|
C. Holmes | 2 | 8 | 0 | 3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Dotson
5 WR
|
J. Dotson | 13 | 8 | 108 | 0 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Washington
3 WR
|
P. Washington | 6 | 4 | 95 | 2 | 49 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Strange
86 TE
|
B. Strange | 4 | 3 | 45 | 0 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Lambert-Smith
13 WR
|
K. Lambert-Smith | 3 | 3 | 24 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Lee
24 RB
|
K. Lee | 2 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Johnson
84 TE
|
T. Johnson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
S. Toney
18 DE
|
S. Toney | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Simmons
34 DE
|
S. Simmons | 1-1 | 1.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Shelton
55 DT
|
A. Shelton | 1-1 | 1.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Brisker
1 S
|
J. Brisker | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Sutherland
0 S
|
J. Sutherland | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Isaac
20 DE
|
A. Isaac | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Pinegar
92 K
|
J. Pinegar | 1/1 | 24 | 4/4 | 7 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. Stout
98 K
|
J. Stout | 5 | 41.8 | 3 | 53 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
L. Wade
38 S
|
L. Wade | 3 | 29.0 | 37 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Dwyer
39 LB
|
R. Dwyer | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Tarburton
46 DE
|
N. Tarburton | 1 | 15.0 | 15 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Dotson 5 WR
|
J. Dotson | 2 | 40.5 | 81 | 1 |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | MICHST 25 | 3:29 | 8 | 10 | Punt |
6:06 | MICHST 25 | 2:03 | 5 | 20 | Punt |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:49 | MICHST 40 | 0:59 | 3 | 60 | TD |
10:00 | MICHST 30 | 3:36 | 7 | 44 | Downs |
2:53 | MICHST 13 | 1:23 | 6 | 80 | TD |
0:28 | MICHST 17 | 0:00 | 1 | -2 | Halftime |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:07 | MICHST 25 | 1:23 | 5 | 23 | Punt |
7:43 | MICHST 43 | 5:40 | 12 | 51 | FG |
0:02 | MICHST 25 | 0:00 | 3 | -10 | Punt |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:18 | MICHST 25 | 0:36 | 3 | 4 | TD |
11:17 | MICHST 24 | 0:47 | 4 | -15 | Punt |
7:57 | MICHST 11 | 1:35 | 6 | 3 | Punt |
2:36 | MICHST 24 | 1:26 | 11 | 76 | Downs |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
11:24 | PSU 29 | 5:14 | 12 | 65 | FG |
3:55 | PSU 20 | 3:19 | 7 | 3 | Punt |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:50 | PSU 39 | 3:50 | 8 | 61 | TD |
6:22 | PSU 15 | 2:59 | 6 | 18 | Punt |
1:26 | PSU 35 | 0:49 | 3 | 6 | Punt |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | PSU 25 | 4:53 | 11 | 75 | TD |
8:37 | PSU 15 | 0:43 | 3 | -1 | Punt |
1:59 | PSU 31 | 1:57 | 5 | 68 | TD |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:32 | PSU 38 | 1:03 | 3 | 62 | TD |
10:22 | MICHST 48 | 2:20 | 3 | 2 | Punt |
6:14 | PSU 42 | 3:34 | 10 | 34 | Downs |
1:10 | PSU 10 | 0:35 | 3 | 1 | End of Quarter |
- Punt (8 plays, 10 yards, 3:29 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) 92-J.Pinegar kicks 65 yards from PSU 35 to MSU End Zone. touchback. |
Penalty | 1 & 10 - MICHST 25 (15:00 - 1st) Team penalty on MSU Delay of game 5 yards enforced at MSU 25. No Play. |
+12 YD | 1 & 15 - MICHST 20 (15:00 - 1st) 5-J.Reed to MSU 32 for 12 yards (18-S.Toney). Penalty on PSU 18-S.Toney Unsportsmanlike conduct 15 yards enforced at MSU 32. |
Sack | 1 & 10 - MICHST 47 (14:41 - 1st) 10-P.Thorne sacked at MSU 41 for -6 yards (55-A.Shelton). |
+5 YD | 2 & 16 - MICHST 41 (14:12 - 1st) 11-C.Heyward to MSU 46 for 5 yards. |
Int | 3 & 11 - MICHST 46 (13:50 - 1st) 10-P.Thorne incomplete. INTERCEPTED by 1-J.Brisker at PSU 43. 1-J.Brisker to MSU 40 FUMBLES (8-J.Nailor). 56-M.Carrick to MSU 39 for no gain. |
-3 YD | 1 & 10 - MICHST 39 (13:20 - 1st) 24-E.Collins to MSU 36 for -3 yards. |
No Gain | 2 & 13 - MICHST 36 (12:49 - 1st) 5-J.Reed to MSU 36 for no gain. |
-1 YD | 3 & 13 - MICHST 36 (12:03 - 1st) 10-P.Thorne to MSU 35 for -1 yard (34-S.Simmons). |
Punt | 4 & 14 - MICHST 35 (11:31 - 1st) 99-B.Baringer punts 36 yards from MSU 35 to PSU 29 fair catch by 5-J.Dotson. |
- FG (12 plays, 65 yards, 5:14 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
No Gain | 1 & 10 - PSU 29 (11:24 - 1st) 24-K.Lee to PSU 29 for no gain. |
+27 YD | 2 & 10 - PSU 29 (10:57 - 1st) 14-S.Clifford complete to 86-B.Strange. 86-B.Strange to MSU 44 for 27 yards. |
+12 YD | 1 & 10 - MICHST 44 (10:24 - 1st) 14-S.Clifford complete to 3-P.Washington. 3-P.Washington to MSU 32 for 12 yards. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - MICHST 32 (9:57 - 1st) 14-S.Clifford complete to 24-K.Lee. 24-K.Lee to MSU 25 for 7 yards. |
+2 YD | 2 & 3 - MICHST 25 (9:27 - 1st) 24-K.Lee to MSU 23 for 2 yards. |
+2 YD | 3 & 1 - MICHST 23 (8:51 - 1st) 7-W.Levis to MSU 21 for 2 yards. |
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - MICHST 21 (8:26 - 1st) 24-K.Lee to MSU 15 for 6 yards. |
+6 YD | 2 & 4 - MICHST 15 (7:53 - 1st) 14-S.Clifford to MSU 9 for 6 yards. |
Penalty | 1 & 9 - MICHST 9 (7:27 - 1st) 24-K.Lee runs 9 yards for a touchdown. Penalty on PSU 71-W.Fries Holding 10 yards enforced at MSU 9. No Play. |
No Gain | 1 & 19 - MICHST 19 (7:17 - 1st) 14-S.Clifford incomplete. Intended for 3-P.Washington. |
+12 YD | 2 & 19 - MICHST 19 (7:15 - 1st) 14-S.Clifford complete to 86-B.Strange. 86-B.Strange to MSU 7 for 12 yards. |
+1 YD | 3 & 7 - MICHST 7 (6:38 - 1st) 14-S.Clifford to MSU 6 for 1 yard. |
Field Goal | 4 & 6 - MICHST 6 (6:10 - 1st) 92-J.Pinegar 24 yards Field Goal is Good. |
- Punt (5 plays, 20 yards, 2:03 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (6:06 - 1st) 92-J.Pinegar kicks 65 yards from PSU 35 to MSU End Zone. touchback. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - MICHST 25 (6:06 - 1st) 10-P.Thorne incomplete. Intended for 17-T.Mosley. |
+12 YD | 2 & 10 - MICHST 25 (6:00 - 1st) 10-P.Thorne complete to 8-J.Nailor. 8-J.Nailor to MSU 37 for 12 yards. |
-1 YD | 1 & 10 - MICHST 37 (5:42 - 1st) 22-J.Simmons to MSU 36 for -1 yard. |
+7 YD | 2 & 11 - MICHST 36 (5:12 - 1st) 22-J.Simmons to MSU 43 for 7 yards. |
+2 YD | 3 & 4 - MICHST 43 (4:41 - 1st) 10-P.Thorne to MSU 45 for 2 yards. |
Punt | 4 & 2 - MICHST 45 (4:03 - 1st) 99-B.Baringer punts 55 yards from MSU 45 to PSU End Zone. touchback. |