Instant reaction: Penn State finds a way to close out Michigan State for 10-win season

Nothing against Michigan State ever comes easily for Penn State, and this year’s game was no different. On a day where the Penn State offense was sluggish from start to finish, the Nittany Lions turned in the drive of the year for Sean Clifford and the offense when it needed it the most to keep any hope of playing in a  New Years Six bowl game alive and it helped lift Penn State to a 35-16 victory. With the win, Penn State finishes the regular season with a 10-2 record and hopes that will be enough to play in a major bowl game this bowl season.

With Michigan State hanging around and sniffing a real shot at an upset on the road, Penn State put together a 75-yard touchdown drive capped by a decision to go for it on 4th and 1 from the Michigan State 12-yard line. Up 21-16 at the time, James Franklin ultimately realized a field goal would leave the Spartans with life, but a first down at worst would continue to work some clock or force Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker to think about burning some timeouts. The result? A screen pass to freshman running back Nick Singleton, who followed the blocking and eluded a defender on his way to a touchdown.

That play allowed Penn State to begin breathing a sigh of relief because Michigan State had been fighting and clawing their way back into the game throughout the second half. But the defense came up with an interception on Michigan State’s ensuing possession and Clifford dropped a dime into the hands of KeAndre Lambert-Smith in the end zone on the next play from scrimmage to give Penn State a quick 35-16 lead.

Crisis averted.

Clifford capped his lengthy six-year collegiate career in Beaver Stadium with 202 passing yards and four touchdowns despite a shaky afternoon from the offensive line in front of him. Four different players caught a touchdown pass, with tight end Theo Johnson catching two in the game. Lambert-Smith tossed a touchdown to Johnson on a trick play in the second quarter to extend Penn State’s early lead to 14-0. Penn State built a 21-3 lead before the Spartans cut things to 21-16 in the fourth quarter and the offense came alive for a couple of touchdowns to provide the cushion at home.

Penn State’s next game will be in a bowl game. Which bowl game remains to be determined. Bowl announcements will be made official for Penn State and the rest of the Big Ten teams after the conference championship games are played next weekend.

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Story originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire