Trace McSorley Photo courtesy of Penn State Athetics

McSorley throws for 381 yards and three touchdowns in setback at No. 24 Michigan State

EAST LANSING, Mich. – No. 7 Penn State (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten) entered the fourth quarter with a three-point lead, 24-21, but a pair of fourth quarter field goals from No. 24 Michigan State (7-2, 5-1 Big Ten) lifted the Spartans to a 27-24 victory inside of Spartan Stadium on Saturday (Nov. 4) night.

The passing games thrived for both squads, even with the wet conditions and a 3 1/2 hour weather delay midway through the second quarter, as neither running game could finds its footing. Michigan State held the edge on the ground (74-65) and in total offense (474-466), but the Nittany Lions owned a 401-400 advantage through the air.

Junior quarterback Trace McSorley piled up the second-highest passing yardage total of his career, completing 26-of-47 passes for 381 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions in the game, however the Spartans were unable to turn any of those into points. McSorley’s 381 passing yards were just shy of his career-high 384-yard effort vs. Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game last season.

McSorley found eight different receivers in the game, with DaeSean Hamilton (112 yards) and DeAndre Thompkins (102 yards) each accounting for over 100 yards receiving. For Hamilton it marked his eighth career game with 100-plus receiving yards, moving him into a tie for No. 4 all-time in 100-yard receiving games at Penn State with Bryant Johnson (1999-2002). The yardage total is a career high for Thompkins, marking his first career 100-yard receiving game.

Michigan State’s Brian Lewerke was not to be outdone in the game, as he completed 33-of-56 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns to rally the Spartans to victory. Felton Davis caught a game-high12 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown for Michigan State. LJ Scott ran for 43 yards and a touchdown, while Matt Coghlin connected on both of his field goal attempts in the Spartan’s win.

Difference Makers

Penn State

QB Trace McSorley – McSorley posted his second-highest career passing yardage total with 381 yards through the air (384 vs. Wisconsin, 2016) on 26-of-47 passing with three touchdown passes and three interceptions. His three touchdown passes moved his career total to 50, passing Christian Hackenberg (48; 2013-15) for the most in Penn State history. His three touchdowns responsible for give him 65 for his career and moved him into a tie for No. 1 all-time at Penn State with Michael Robinson (2006-09).

RB Saquon Barkley – Barkley accounted for 111 yards of total offense, including a game-high 63 rushing yards. The rushing total moved Barkley into No. 2 all-time in Penn State history with 3,436, passing Curt Warner (3,398; 1979-82). The junior added 33 yards receiving on three catches and returned a pair of kickoffs for 15 yards. He also completed one pass for 20 yards.

TE Mike Gesicki – Gesicki led Penn State with a career-high eight catches and added a career-high 89 receiving yards. His eight grabs vaulted him into a tie for No. 11 all-time at Penn State, moving up four spots into a tie with Bryant Johnson (1999-2002) at 110 receptions.

WR DaeSean Hamilton – Caught seven passes for 112 yards to mark his eighth-career game with 100-plus yards receiving, moving him into a tie for No. 4 on the all-time 100-yard receiving games list with the aforementioned Bryant Johnson. Had a 31-yard touchdown grab to open the scoring in the first quarter, his 15th career touchdown grab – which is tied for No. 8 in Penn State history with Joe Jurevicius (1994-97) and current assistant coach Terry Smith (1988-91).

WR DeAndre Thompkins – Posted his first career 100-yard receiving game with 102 yards on four grabs. He hauled in a 70-yard touchdown pass, tying for his longest career reception (Maryland, 2016).

CB Amani Oruwariye – Had two tackles, an interception and a career-high four pass breakups.

Michigan State

QB Brian Lewerke – Completed 33-of-56 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns. Also rushed seven times for 25 yards in the game.

WR Felton Davis – Caught 12 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown.

CB David Dowell – Picked off Trace McSorley twice in the game and added four tackles.
Michigan State Defense – Limited Penn State to just 65 yards rushing and picked off Trace McSorley three times in the game. Also had seven pass breakups, six tackles for loss and three sacks, while limiting Penn State to just 4-of-12 on third down.