EAST LANSING, Mich. – In a much-needed turnaround, the Penn State Nittany Lions triumphed over the Michigan State Spartans with a score of 28-10 on November 11, 2023. This victory not only earned them the prestigious Land Grant Trophy but also marked the end of a frustrating six-game losing streak that left the team and its supporters yearning for a turnaround.
The atmosphere in Spartan Stadium was electric as Penn State players celebrated their hard-fought win. They hoisted their interim coach, Terry Smith, onto their shoulders and posed for photos with their trophy, a symbol of their resilience. Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton expressed the team’s relief, stating, “Yeah, it just feels good not to be on a losing streak.” This victory came after a grueling period of 63 days filled with disappointment, as the Nittany Lions faced a series of narrow losses, five of which were by a mere 16 points.
As the players reflected on their performance, safety Zakee Wheatley noted the significance of the win. “We knew this is what we were capable of. We just had to display it,” he said. The Nittany Lions showcased a dominant defensive effort, limiting Michigan State to a mere 229 total yards—only 172 yards after the first play. They sacked quarterback Alessio Milivojevic five times during the game, including two by Dennis-Sutton, effectively neutralizing Michigan State’s offense.
The transformation in Penn State’s performance was particularly striking in comparison to their earlier games this season. The defense, which had previously allowed significant yardage and points against teams like Oregon and UCLA, displayed newfound cohesion and intensity. Wheatley remarked, “Right now it’s just starting to click. We’re starting to play for each other and it’s starting to look like it.”
On the offensive side, Penn State’s strategy evolved significantly. After a season marked by conservative, horizontal passing plays, quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer made a remarkable deep pass, connecting with Devonte Ross for a 75-yard touchdown—the longest completion for Penn State in two years. Grunkemeyer described the moment as a breakthrough for the team, highlighting the importance of executing plays that they had identified as advantageous.
The run game also flourished, with Kaytron Allen rushing for a career-high 181 yards and Nick Singleton adding 56 yards to the total. Penn State finished the game with a season-high 240 rushing yards, a testament to the offensive line’s dominance. Smith praised their performance, saying, “They dominated the line of scrimmage and the game.”
While the victory brought joy and relief to the players, it also raised questions about what could have been this season. The Nittany Lions demonstrated a level of play many had anticipated since the start of the year, showcasing their potential against Michigan State and the preceding week against No. 2 Indiana. Wheatley captured the mixed emotions of the moment: “It’s half relief, half excitement. It’s really a bunch of feelings right now,” he said, reflecting on the frustrations of past games.
The win not only lifted the spirits of the team but also kept them in contention for a bowl berth, as they avoided tying a school record for consecutive losses. As Penn State looks ahead, the players are left to ponder the lessons learned and the potential for what lies ahead in the remainder of the season.