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By Neil Rudel
nrudel@altoonamirror.com
UNIVERSITY PARK -- Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 35-16 over Michigan State on Saturday at Beaver Stadium:
Play of the game: Leading 21-16 and facing fourth-and-2 from the Michigan State 12, Sean Clifford hit Nick Singleton in the left flat, and Singleton scampered into the end zone for a 28-16 lead with 4:31 remaining.
Offensive player of the game: Clifford completed 19-of-24 passes for 202 yards and four touchdowns. He was not intercepted.
Defensive player of the game: Freshman linebacker Abdul Carter made a team-high seven tackles, including five solo and three tackles for loss.
Most telling statistic: The Lions' defense held Michigan State to 25 yards rushing.
Hidden statistic: Penn State converted 8-of-16 on third down and 2-2 on fourth down.
Most deceiving statistic: Michigan State averaged 9.5 yards on 24 receptions.
Best run: Nick Singleton busted a 31-yard run in the first quarter.
Best pass: Clifford slotted a 15-yard touchdown through a tight window to Tyler Warren, giving the Lions a 21-3 lead with 5:42 left in the third quarter.
Worst pass: Payton Thorne's only interception, by Kalen King, ended the Spartans' comeback hopes.
Best catch: Michigan State's Malik Carr reeled in a 9-yard touchdown with one hand, cutting Sparty's deficit to 21-10 with 1:37 left in the third quarter.
Catch it, will ya: This would have been remarkable, but Abdul Carter had a shot at an interception off a deflection caused by Nick Tarburton.
Hold it, won't ya: Penn State didn't fumble.
Best block: Center Juice Scruggs sprung Singleton's 31-yard gainer.
Best tackle: On third-and-3 from the Lions' 32, Carter shot through to stop Elijah Collins for a 1-yard loss, leading to a turnover on downs with 6:56 left in the second quarter.
Best hit: Curtis Jacobs rocked Spartans' receiver Jayden Reed following a 5-yard gain in the second quarter.
Best kick: Jack Stone's 51-yard field goal that closed the first half cut the PSU lead to 14-3.
Worst kick: The Lions' Jake Pinegar had a rough day, missing two field goals. We'll pick his 28-yarder late in the first half.
Best call: With 11:22 left in the second quarter, the Nits pulled some trickery with KeAndre Lambert-Smith throwing a 48-yard TD to Theo Johnson, upping the PSU lead to 14-0.
Worst call: On MSU's third play, Sparty attempted a pass behind the line of scrimmage, which wasn't caught and was therefore a fumble. Tyler Eldson recovered.
Worst coverage: Michigan State left Johnson all alone for two touchdowns.
Best effort: Lambert-Smith caught five passes for 83 yards and threw a 48-yard TD.
Unsung hero: Warren recovered a fumble by MSU punt returner Jayden Reed at the Spartans' 18, setting up a TD that pushed the Lions up 21-3.
Best moment: After the stadium had totally cleared out, Clifford and his younger brother Liam, a reserve receiver, staged a 50-yard dash and had a catch.