Penn State (6-5, 2-5 Big Ten) will welcome tenth-ranked Michigan State (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten) for a 3:30 kickoff this weekend in a game that is both team’s regular season finale. The winner will walk away with the Land Grant Trophy.
This game will showcase the Big Ten’s top talent; Michigan State ranks first in total offense, averaging 44.3 points per game, while Penn State ranks second in total defense but leads the conference in total rushing defense, holding nine of their 11 opponents to 20 points or fewer.
Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook is in firm command of his team, collecting 2,720 yards after completing 175-298; he’s thrown 21 touchdowns with just five interceptions. Senior running back Jeremy Langford leads the Spartans in rushing, collecting 1,242 yards with 219 carries and 17 touchdowns.
Senior wide receiver Tony Lippett headlines Michigan State’s aerial attack with 56 catches, 1,071 yards and 10 touchdowns. He leads the Big Ten in receiving yards, averaging 97.4 yards per game.
Penn State will look to Mike Hull in their quest to stop the Spartans. The senior linebacker has 121 tackles this year and 275 total, ranking him seventh on Penn State’s all-time list. He’s been a standout this year on Penn State’s stellar defense and his dynamic talent been instrumental in securing wins this season.
Offensively, Penn State running back Akeel Lynch has two straight 100-yard rushing games after the outing at Illinois last week. The sophomore had 28 carries and a career-high 137 yards in the game against the Illini, and head coach James Franklin will need him and Bill Belton, the other half of the Penn State running back duo, to continue breaking through the opponent’s defense if he hopes to match up against the Spartans.
Michigan State is coming off a decisive 45-3 win over Rutgers last week; the team’s only two losses have come at the hands of Oregon and Ohio State. Penn State’s season is not as bright as the Spartans, but the Nittany Lions may have some extra drive in the final home game of the season: it is Senior Day. The football team will honor the 17 seniors, six of whom are captains, who have spent the last few years sticking with the team through sanctions and coaching changes.
Of the seniors, Franklin stated: “I think what we’ve been through the last three years and what these guys have meant, how they’ve stuck with this university and the football program and the community, as well have been tremendous leaders, have been tremendous ambassadors both on and off the field and in the classroom; it’s significant. I think everybody in our program, all the players kind of look up to them, which is typically the case in most programs. But I think it’s magnified, obviously, from what they’ve been through.”
Saturday’s kickoff is at 3:30 and will be dually televised on ABC and ESPN2.
Photo Credit: GoPSUSports.com
