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Rudel’s Michigan State highs & lows

By Neil Rudel 3 min read
Penn State wide receiver Devonte Ross (5) reacts as he prepares to score a touchdown past Michigan State defensive back Armorion Smith (19) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 28-10 victory over Michigan State on Saturday at Spartan Stadium:

Play of the game: On third-and-goal from the Michigan State 4, Devonte Ross took a pitch and scored to put the Nittany Lions up 21-10 with 4:32 remaining.

Offensive player of the game: Kaytron Allen rushed for a career-high 181 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.

Defensive player of the game: Dani Dennis-Sutton only made two tackles, but they were both for sacks. He also blocked his third punt of the season, tying a PSU record.

Most telling statistic: Penn State's defense held Michigan State to 1-of-10 on third down and 0-for-2 on fourth down.

Most deceiving statistic: The Lions won despite only 127 passing yards.

Hidden statistic: Three of Penn State's four penalties came on MSU's last possession.

Best run: Michigan State's Elijah Tau-Tolliver burst 57 yards for a TD on the Spartans' first play.

Best pass: Ethan Grunkemeyer lofted a 75-yard touchdown to a wide-open Ross to give the Lions a 14-10 lead with 8:30 left in the second quarter.

Worst pass: MSU quarterback Alessio Milivojevic had top target Nick Marsh open over the middle in the third quarter but airmailed him.

Best catch: Wasn't a day for the receivers.

Catch it, will ya: Luke Reynolds dropped a third-quarter pass.

Hold it, won't ya: Grunkemeyer's fumbled snap resulted in a 9-yard sack and killed the Lions' first possession.

Best block: Backup center Dom Rulli opened Allen's 8-yard TD that tied the game at 7.

Best tackle: PSU linebacker Keon Wiley stopped Milivojevic at the Nits' 5, preventing a TD and forcing a second-quarter field goal.

Best hit: Armorian Smith came up to drill Nick Singleton, stopping a third-and-short in the second quarter.

Best kick: Gabe Nwosu uncorked a 68-yard punt to flip the field in the third quarter.

Best call: Andy Kotelnicki has taken a beating this year but credit him for the shovel to Ross.

Worst call: Up 14-10 and facing fourth-and-2 at the MSU 22, Terry Smith passed on a field goal, and Grunk was sacked.

Worst penalty: Dennis-Sutton and Zuriah Fisher both were hit with late roughing the passer penalties.

Best effort: The game was a showcase of punters. Nwosu averaged 46 on four punts and MSU's Ryan Eckley, the nation's leader, averaged 48.4 on five, including three inside the 20.

Unsung hero: PSU freshman cornerback Daryus Dixson made five tackles, shared a TFL, broke up a pass and recovered a fumble.

Starting at /week.