Penn State vs Michigan State "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly"

                                                                        (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)      



     Good

  One of the few bright spots other than Penn State's only scoring drive and overall good play by it's defense, was Sam Ficken's achievement for setting the school record for most field goals made in a season with 23.


    Bad

      Special Teams. Penn State gave up a touchdown on the opening kickoff to Michigan State. A bad hold on a field goal attempt once again hurt Penn State like it did last week against Illinois.


     Ugly

     The Penn State offense had three straight possessions in the 2nd quarter that started on the Spartans side of the field and could only muster up 3 points. On the third possession, Hackenberg threw toward the corner of the end zone with the ball going off receiver Chris Godwin's hands and into Spartan's Trae Waynes. The offensive line was ineffective as well as the Spartan defense got to Hackenberg three times and forced a fumble that would lead to a Michigan State touchdown.

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Penn State vs Illinois "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly"

   

     The Good

     Penn State's only real bright spot was Akeel Lynch, who accounted for 170 of the Nittany Lions 265 yards of total offense (135 rushing  35 receiving) including a 47 yard run for a touchdown.

     The Bad

    So many things. Penn State had a chance to go up 14-0 but had to settle for a field goal attempt (which would have made it 10-0) but a bad snap cost the Nittany Lions points off the scoreboard. Despite throwing for his first touchdown in three games, Christian Hackenberg was held to under 100 yards and threw for just 50%. Illinois also ranked 106th in the nation in points given up with 34.0, but held the Nittany Lions to just 14 points

     The Ugly

     Turnovers and miscues. Akeel Lynch did have one minor hiccup. On 2nd & 10 in the 2nd quarter, Lynch picked up a first down but was stripped of the ball in the process. On the 2nd half kickoff, Penn State misread the kick that allowed the Illini to fall on top of the ball and take possession at the Nittany Lion 28. Illinois ended up scoring a field goal on the drive. 

    Questionable Play call

    With 4 & 1 with 1:53 remaining Penn State decided to punt the ball rather than go for it and try to win the game there. James Franklin decided to put the game in the defense's hands, but the Illini offense had moved the ball quite efficient in the 4th quarter (98 yards in 2 drives) and in three plays the Illinois offense drove 56 yards that would set up the game winning field goal.

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