Now preparing for a match-up that will likely be a qualifier for a spot in the College Football Playoffs, Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said following Saturday’s game his team took a needed step against Penn State.
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Now the Spartans are in the Big Ten championship game – and they’re favored by a few points over an undefeated Iowa team. A week ago, some labeled him selfish after he said he “deserved” more than the 12 carries he was given and said there was “no chance” he would return to Columbus for his senior season.
Saquon Barkley finished the regular season with 1,007 rushing yards, a Penn State freshman record.
We have known for a little while that Iowa was going to be partaking in the Big Ten championship.
“The biggest thing is they were getting exhausted and they weren’t getting lined up”, Elliott said.
At 11-1, 7-1 overall, OSU’s East Division title hopes rests on the Michigan State-Penn State outcome.
His performance came one game after he was held to 12 carries for 33 yards against Michigan State, then publicly criticized the team’s play-calling and declared he will skip his senior season to enter the National Football League draft. IN quarterback Nate Sudfeld shared the honor with Elliott.
The Spartans haven’t been quite as effective as the Hawkeyes, but they can still run it, averaging 159 yards per game.
Elliott, who has 3,812 yards rushing in his career, passed Eddie George for No. 2 on the school’s all-time rushing list and trails only two-time Heisman Trophy victor Archie Griffin.
However, the tone was set late in the first quarter when Elliott scampered for a 66-yard gain two plays after MI roughed Ohio State punter Cameron Johnston.
“I regret everything I said”, Elliott insisted before being asked a question in a postgame news conference. They flirted with losing several times, and were one play away from losing to MI.
“265? I know I look slim-cut, but …” “I play every down for them”. “He’s one of best players that I’ve ever been around”.
Penn State scored nine seconds into the fourth quarter on Hackenberg’s five-yard hookup with Godwin.
“This is what we’ve been working for since January – we’ve been talking about it, now it’s time to speak it into existence”, MSU sophomore safety Montae Nicholson said of a dream that seemed distant just three weeks earlier after a 39-38 loss at Nebraska. If we’re only looking at when their offenses were on the field, it’s more like 11.7 yards. McDowell ran it back 13 yards for a TD. His 13-yard run late in the third quarter gave the Buckeyes an 18-point cushion, and his 17-yard run midway through the fourth ended the scoring. That’s who they are.”Penn State moved the ball effectively, especially in the first half”. He had a devastating sack on quarterback Jake Rudock, which knocked Michigan’s starter out of the game.
Ohio State needs at least an upset or two to get back in the mix.
“I’m very proud of the team the way they’ve worked and the way they’ve progressed”, Harbaugh said. “Chris did some good things as well, but we obviously have a lot of work to do”.
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What makes this weekend’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium even more compelling is that both teams will come in with a chip on their shoulders. MI had 10 running plays for 30 yards on first down.
