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Penn State wins third straight by defeating Michigan State

As the season is winding down, Penn State is rolling.

The Nittany Lions used a strong second half and overwhelmed Michigan State, 39-24, Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium.

The win was PSU’s third straight after opening the season 0-5 and marked the Lions’ first home victory of 2020.

Whether the Nittany Lions will have another game this season is unclear as the Big Ten has not yet announced plans for its “championship week” matchups but is expected to do so Sunday.

Penn State fell behind 21-10 in the first half as MSU quarterback Payton Thorne, in his first start, completed 10 of 12 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns.

The Nits’ defense responded in the second half. The Lions only allowed the Spartans a field goal, and a pair of touchdown passes from Sean Clifford to freshman Parker Washington keyed 29-3 second-half domination.

Jahan Dotson was the offensive leader for the Lions with eight catches for 108 yards, and his 81-yard punt return for a touchdown extended the lead to 39-24 with 11:24 remaining.

Clifford wound up 17 of 27 for 232 yards and two touchdowns passing. He also rushed nine times for 48 yards and a 31-yard score.

Backup quarterback Will Levis rushed 15 times for 36 yards and a TD and went 3-for-3 for 54 yards in his first passing attempts in three games.

Thorne wound up 22 of 39 for 325 yards.

Michigan State dropped to 2-5 on the season.

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