(Recap from The Sports Network)
University Park, PA – Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes, and the 11th-ranked Michigan State Spartans locked up at least a share of the Big Ten title with a 28-22 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium.
Cousins was highly efficient, completing 17-of-22 passes for 152 yards without an interception for the Spartans (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten), who had gone 20 years without ending the regular season atop the conference standings. Coupled with Ohio State’s victory, Michigan State is now tied with the Buckeyes and will have to hope it leapfrogs them and possibly the Wisconsin Badgers in the BCS standings to earn a Rose Bowl berth.
The Spartans also captured the Land Grant Trophy for winning this rivalry game for the first time since 2007, and it’s the first victory for the team at Penn State since 1965, a year before Joe Paterno took over the Nittany Lions.
Matthew McGloin recorded 312 passing yards and two touchdowns on 23-of-43 efficiency for Penn State (7-5, 4-4), which ensured its worst season since going 4-7 in 2004. Justin Brown had six receptions for 106 yards in defeat.