Penn State runs over Michigan State, 28-10, ends losing streak
Nebraska game set for 7 p.m. Saturday
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EAST LANSING, Mich. - The streak is over.
Penn State ended its six-game losing streak by beating Michigan State, 28-10, Saturday at Spartan Stadium.
The Nittany Lions, now 4-6 overall and 1-6 in Big Ten play, broke open a close game at halftime by unleashing a punishing rushing attack in the fourth quarter.
It was PSU's first win since Sept. 13, and interim coach Terry Smith was doused with Gatorade afterward.
Leading 14-10, Penn State drove 76 yards on 13 plays - the first 12 of which were on the ground - and scored on a 4-yard shovel pass from Ethan Grunkemeyer to Devonte Ross with 4:32 remaining.
After forcing a fumble on Michigan State's next possession, the Nits put the game away on Kaytron Allen's 26-yard touchdown run with 2:07 to play.
Allen had a 42-yard rush on the play before his TD and finished the day with a career-high 181 yards and two TDs on 25 carries.
Nick Singleton added 56 yards on 15 carries.
Of the Lions' 240 rushing yards, 139 came in the fourth quarter.
Michigan State lost its seventh straight game and fell to 3-7 overall and 0-7 in the conference.
Penn State's defense limited the Spartans to 1-of-10 on third down, and the Lions owned time of possession, 37:19-22:41.
The Spartans took a 7-0 lead on their very first play as Elijah Tau-Tolliver went 57 yards for a touchdown.
The Lions answered with a 12-play 75-yard drive, Allen capping it with an 8-yard run up the middle in which he took a direct snap.
MSU went up 10-7 on Martin Connington's 24-yard field goal with 8:40 left in the first half, but the Lions took the lead for keeps on their next offensive play when Ethan Grunkemeyer found Ross for a 75-yard score.
Grunkemeyer wound up eight of 13 for 127 yards and two TDs.
Penn State returns to action for Senior Day on Saturday as the Lions host Nebraska. It was announced late Saturday night that kickoff will be at 7 p.m., and NBC will televise.
The Huskers (7-3 overall and 4-3 in the Big Ten) were idle Saturday.
The Mirror will have more coverage in Penn State Extra in Monday’s print edition.