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Michigan State Football: 3 takeaways from meltdown loss to Penn State

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 12, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) makes a catch and runs the ball in the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) makes a catch and runs the ball in the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Land Grant Trophy was on the line Saturday afternoon as Penn State and Michigan State football had one heck of a battle. What’d we learn?

For a half, it looked like Michigan State was going to surprise Penn State and march into Happy Valley to steal a win from James Franklin and Co.

But then the second half started.

The second half was all Penn State as the Nittany Lions out-scored the Spartans 29-3 and Michigan State made a late push, nearly making it a one-score game with just over a minute left, but the refs missed a pass interference in the end zone and the ball was turned over on downs.

Payton Thorne had a nice game and Jordon Simmons did as well as the youth are making the future look bright for the Spartans.

What’d we learn from the Spartans’ fifth loss of the year?

3. Jordon Simmons is going to be special

Coming into the year, everyone was on the Elijah Collins bandwagon. Still, there’s a chance he could have a future in East Lansing, but all signs are pointing to freshman running back Jordon Simmons taking over that workhorse role in the backfield.

Collins may be looking elsewhere this offseason, especially after losing carries to a younger back and the fact that Audric Estime is coming in and might be the best prospect MSU has gotten at the position in a long time. But Simmons has to feel good about his future within the program as he’s earned the respect and praise from his staff.

Against Penn State, he looked really good again. The run game has been mediocre all season, but he’s been a bright spot and was again on Saturday. He was picking up chunk yardage all game long.

Simmons finished the game with 72 yards on 14 carries and should have probably gotten red-zone touches in the third quarter when the Spartans settled for a field goal.

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