Michigan State Football: 3 takeaways from huge win over Penn State

Down a handful of guys, including Jalen Nailor, Michigan State football toughed out a big win over Penn State in the season finale to improve to 10-2.

Things weren’t looking great for the defense in the first half after choking away a 14-0 lead, but the Spartans clamped down in the second half, holding Penn State to just seven points before the Nittany Lions scored a touchdown with under a minute left to make things tighter.

Michigan State recovered the ensuing onside kick to put the game away, avenging last year’s loss as Payton Thorne somehow threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns while Kenneth Walker III rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown on 30 touches.

Mel Tucker has led Michigan State to 10 regular-season wins and a likely New Year’s Six berth in his first full season as head coach.

What did we learn from this big win?

3. Payton Thorne showed some serious toughness

With bad weather and pretty much no visibility, Payton Thorne stepped up to have one of his most impressive games of the season. He didn’t wow anyone, but he finished with 268 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-30 completions. He also rushed for 38 yards and a touchdown and made up for that one bad pick-six with a solid performance.

Thorne stood in there, took some hits, and even picked up some yards with his legs on his way to a 300-plus total yard day. He looked like a quarterback who is likely going to begin the 2022 season as one of the best in the Big Ten.

He also avenged last season’s loss against Penn State when he had his first true breakout performance.

Michigan State has to feel good about the offense next season with Thorne returning. He finished the regular season with over 2,800 yards and 24 touchdowns with nine picks. He bounced back nicely from a poor Ohio State performance.