Penn State’s win over Michigan State last weekend was a relief to its fans, but this does not mean that they are out of the woods yet.
Penn State has struggled tremendously this season, having been ranked among the top five teams before the season started but then dropping out of the rankings entirely. Beating Michigan State put their record at 4-6, which is one of the worst records Penn State has ever had.
After a difficult start, starting quarterback Drew Aller went down with an injury, and
Penn State fired Head Coach James Franklin. Things have not gotten any easier since then.
Now, quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer and Acting Head Coach Terry Smith have to figure out how to win. Getting this victory over Michigan State sets up a foundation, even if Michigan State is a lower-level team.
Running back Kaytron Allen is a big reason for Penn State’s win on Saturday, as he led the team with 25 carries, 181 yards, two touchdowns, and a 7.2 yards per carry average. Another big key for Penn State was Nick Singleton, who has been an outstanding backup for Allen. His stats include 15 carries, 56 yards, and 3.7 yards per carry.
The offensive line is what makes it possible for these running backs to succeed. The O-line was able to control Michigan State’s defensive line on Saturday.
But the biggest factor for Penn State was its defense. They shone on the defensive line, which helped their cornerbacks lock down Michigan State’s number 1 receiver, Nick Marsh.
Michigan State’s defense won the turnover battle over Penn State, and this kept the game tied at 10-10 for most of the game. Penn State’s dominance in other areas helped them take the lead later in the game.
But the road ahead for Penn State is uncertain.
With Franklin’s departure, Penn State has lost many big-name recruits for next year, including five-star running back Kemon Spell (McKeesport), four-star wide receiver Kalil Taylor (Pine-Richland), four-star Tackle Kevin Brown (Harrisburg), four-star ATH Matt Seig (Fort Cherry), and many more.
Penn State will likely not return to the top teams immediately. But it is possible for them to speed up that process by hiring a permanent head coach soon and putting lots of NIL money into the transfer portal. This can come with risks, however. They might spend too much money on a player who does not deserve it, hurting the team in the long run.
Penn State’s unraveling can show how quickly a team can unfold in the modern college football era.
