Penn State Interim Coach Leads Nittany Lions to Decisive Big Ten Victory

In a crucial Big Ten matchup on November 12, 2022, the Penn State Nittany Lions, led by interim head coach Terry Smith, secured a decisive 28-10 victory over the Michigan State Spartans. The game was highlighted by a standout performance from senior running back Kaytron Allen, who rushed for a career-high 181 yards, including 131 in the second half.

Penn State's offense found its rhythm in the second half, relying heavily on the ground game. The Nittany Lions' 13-play, 65-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter featured 12 rushing plays, with Allen and Nicholas Singleton combining for 49 of those yards. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer also contributed with a 10-yard run to set up the score.

On the defensive side, Penn State's Dani Dennis-Sutton continued to make an impact, blocking his third punt of the season and recording two sacks. The Nittany Lions' relentless pressure on Michigan State's quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who was making his second career start, forced a crucial fourth-quarter turnover that led to another Allen touchdown.

With this victory, Penn State (4-6) took a significant step towards bowl eligibility, while interim coach Terry Smith earned his first Big Ten win. The Nittany Lions' dominant second-half performance and the standout contributions from Allen and Dennis-Sutton were the key factors in this hard-fought triumph.