Rivalry games are always full of heated action and active competition. As the two rival teams Penn State and Michigan State met again in their final game to compete for the prestigious rival trophy, the Nittany Lions emerged victorious. Following the victory after rendering Michigan State a 42-0 blowout defeat, Penn State players heaved their prestigious Land-Grant Trophy into their locker room. 

This season may be one of the worst for Michigan State in their annual meeting with Penn State who crumbled to 4-8 after their last defeat. As for Penn State, they not only rejoiced with their trophy, but they secured themselves as a strong playoff contender. 

Penn State bags the Land-Grant Trophy 

Since Penn State entered the Big Ten in 1993, the Land-Grant Trophy came into existence. The rivalry between the two teams dates back to when both the head coaches of Penn State and Michigan State, Joe Paterno and George Perles had a mutual agreement. And this season, Penn State gets the opportunity to haul in their reward to their locker room. 

The programs first met in 1914 and didn’t face each other again for 11 years. In 2010, the Land-Grant Trophy was put on hold until 2014 when both the teams landed in the Big Ten East. The Spartans have beaten Penn State in the last dive of the nine games since 2014. Even last year, Penn State won the trophy after a 35-16 triumph over Michigan State. But this season is a whole new level of victory. The last game is the 38th meeting between the two teams where Penn State leads the rivalry with 19-18-1. 

Penn State delivers a blowout loss to Michigan State

Penn State came in strong right from the beginning as their defensive line gave pressure to the MSU offense. They won over the Spartans in a shocking 586-68 with a balanced offense and defense finishing with 286 rushing yards. Star players of the game include Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton completing 186 yards and a touchdown. 

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MSU QB Katin Houser faced a tough time against Penn State’s defense where LB Abdul Carter sacked him. As the game came to a close, Penn State celebrated another double-digit victory season under James Franklin. Now their bowl fate lay in uncertain hands although they have a strong chance of making it to the bowl games. 

With an incredible performance that Penn State delivered against Michigan State, there is no question that they’ve improved their defense over the course of their meetings. As for now, we’ll have to stay tuned for the bowl matchups that will be declared on December 3. 

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