Turning point, unsung hero in Michigan State's win over Penn State

TURNING POINT

Despite the buckets of snow pouring down Saturday on Spartan Stadium, Penn State went three-plus quarters without a turnover despite throwing the ball plenty of times against the nation's worst pass defense. 

But the Nittany Lions' luck finally ran out with 8:29 left. On third-and-1 at the PSU 49-yard line, running back Keyvone Lee was popped a yard behind the line of scrimmage by Michigan State linebacker Cal Haladay, who forced a fumble that was recovered by the Spartans' Drew Beesley. 

Seven plays and three minutes later, a fourth-down prayer for MSU was answered when Jayden Reed came down with Payton Thorne's jump-ball for a 20-yard touchdown on fourth-and-15, which gave the Spartans a 30-20 lead. 

Penn State fumbled again on the ensuing kickoff, as freshman Ma'a Gaoteote knocked the ball out of John Lovett's arm and was recovered by MSU's Justin White with 5:02 to go. 

MSU went on to win, 30-27, on senior day.

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UNSUNG HERO

It's a senior day win, so let's honor a senior: defensive end Drew Beesley. Beesley was everywhere for the Spartans, creating havoc for Penn State QB Sean Clifford. Beesley finished with seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup and the key fumble recovery. 

QUOTABLE

"We're just running our offense. ... Everything's out there for us," MSU coach Mel Tucker told ABC sideline reporter Molly McGrath at halftime. 

Everything was out there for MSU, and the Spartans did enough in the second half to finish the season with 10 wins. 

WHAT'S NEXT

Michigan State (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) will play in a to-be-determined bowl game to finish out the 2021 season. 

Contact digital sports reporter Phil Friend at 517-377-1220 or pfriend@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Phil_Friend.