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Michigan State Football: Top 5 plays from Penn State upset (Video)

By Connor Muldowney

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 13: Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans catches a 25 yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against Amani Oruwariye #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 13: Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans catches a 25 yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against Amani Oruwariye #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football entered Week 7 as a major underdog and came away with an upset win. Take a look at the top plays from the Penn State upset.

The 2018 season has been an interesting one for Michigan State. First, the Spartans struggled at home with Utah State (a team that has since caught fire). Then, it was a tough loss at Arizona State that shocked many followed by a comfortable win over Indiana and throttling (until the fourth quarter) of Central Michigan.

Losing to Northwestern at home was probably the biggest surprise of the season as that was a game the Spartans should have won. They responded by going to Happy Valley to upset No. 8 Penn State.

This team could easily be 5-1 or 6-0 right now but they’re 4-2 heading into ‘hate week’ against the Michigan Wolverines.

Still, we can’t forget the week that was against the Nittany Lions, especially with some incredible highlight plays and elite performances.

Let’s take a look at the Spartans’ top five plays from the week that was.

5. Connor Heyward fake punt

This is the only play on the list that didn’t quite get the recognition it deserved on Saturday afternoon. On a fourth-down play in their own territory in the first half, the Spartans decided to run a fake punt which was a direct snap to the up-back, Connor Heyward.

It was the perfect play-call at the time because no one expected a fake punt that early in the game with the Spartans only down 7-0 and the play clock winding down on the first quarter.

That’s why Mark Dantonio is a magician.

Heyward took the direct snap and found major running room for 26 yards but almost took it to the house with no one in front of him when he stepped out of bounds.

This was a big momentum-shift for the Spartans as that led to a La’Darius Jefferson touchdown run from one yard out to tie the game at 7-7.

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