Michigan State’s Defense Falters Late in 28-10 Loss to Penn State
UPDATE: In a disheartening turn of events, the Michigan State Spartans fell to the Penn State Nittany Lions with a score of 28-10 on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Spartan Stadium. Despite a commendable defensive effort, the Spartans’ offense struggled significantly, yielding only 10 points and 229 total yards, marking their worst performance of the season.
The Spartans’ defense held strong early on, keeping the game within reach for most of the contest. Coach Jonathan Smith expressed pride in his players’ resilience, stating, “I thought they kept us in it throughout the night…they really battled to keep us within striking distance.” However, as the game progressed, the Nittany Lions found their rhythm, executing two crucial late scoring drives that sealed the game.
Penn State, under interim head coach Mike Yurcich, capitalized on a 75-yard touchdown run by Devonte Ross, which highlighted a mid-game miscommunication in Michigan State’s defensive backfield. Despite this setback, the Spartans’ defense responded with an impressive series of stops, including a turnover on downs and multiple three-and-outs.
Defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren noted, “We felt good out there…we were stopping the run. We were kind of getting in a good groove, it felt like, and there was no doubt that we were in the game.” For a significant portion of the game, the Nittany Lions were held to just 43 total yards during the third quarter.
However, as the game entered its final stretch, Penn State’s ground attack, led by running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, took over. Allen rushed for 181 yards, while Singleton added another 56 yards. Penn State’s decisive nine-minute, 13-play drive culminated in a touchdown, effectively extinguishing any hopes of a Spartans comeback.
Despite the heartening defensive performance, Michigan State’s offense could not capitalize, leading to their seventh consecutive loss and diminishing their hopes for a bowl game. With only two games remaining in the season, the Spartans face the daunting challenge of avoiding a winless Big Ten season, a feat they haven’t experienced since 1958.
Smith acknowledged the uphill battle ahead, stating, “We’re not there yet…but they began to lean on it, and that’s credit to Penn State. They got some good backs and a good O-line.” As the Spartans regroup for their final matches, VanSumeren emphasized the need to continue fighting, saying, “It stings, tough pill to swallow not being able to get the job done. But going from here, there is no choice other than to keep going.”
This latest defeat underscores the urgency for Michigan State to harness their defensive strengths while finding solutions to their offensive woes as the season draws to a close. Fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring the Spartans’ efforts to secure a victory before the season ends.
