Michigan State University
Penn State
Michigan State loses to Penn State, 61-7.
11/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov 23, 2002
By DAN LEWERENZ
Associated Press Writer
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Larry Johnson needed just one half to cap his incredible season.
Johnson ran for 279 yards and four touchdowns - all in the first half - and became the first Penn State back to top 2,000 yards rushing as the 15th-ranked Nittany Lions routed Michigan State 61-7 on Saturday.
He finished the game with 2,015 yards for the season, making him just the ninth player in NCAA Division I-A history to run for 2,000 yards. His season average of 8.02 yards per carry broke the NCAA record of 7.8 set by Nebraska's Mike Rozier in 1983.
It was the most points given up in 80 years by a Michigan State team, since a 63-0 loss to Michigan in 1922.
The Nittany Lions (9-3, 5-3 Big Ten) now wait to hear where they will play in their first bowl game since 1999. Ohio State's victory over Michigan earlier Saturday virtually guaranteed Penn State a spot in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando.
For Michigan State (4-8, 2-6), the loss ends a season plagued by problems both on and off the field. The Spartans were ranked as high as No. 15, but collapsed midseason. Quarterback Jeff Smoker entered a substance-abuse program, and coach Bobby Williams was fired three weeks ago.
Johnson didn't take long to get started. On Penn State's second possession, he went up the middle, then broke left for 20 yards to the Spartan 11-yard line. He took the next handoff up the middle and was stood up by safety Jason Harmon at the 4, but just muscled Harmon into the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 10:19 left in the first quarter.
He also scored on runs of 11, 38 and 78 yards. Johnson added 10 yards receiving, giving him 341 yards for the season and breaking the Penn State season record for yards by receiving a running back.
It was the 336th career win for Joe Paterno, who has more wins than any Division I-A coach.
Zack Mills scored on a quarterback keeper, and Bryant Johnson scored twice in the second quarter, returning a punt 81 yards for a touchdown and catching a 41-yard touchdown pass from Mills to make it 28-0. Bryant Johnson finished with two catches for 57 yards and reached second place on Penn State's career yards receiving list with 2,008 yards.
But minutes later, Larry Johnson again stole the spotlight. Mills faked a pitch left, then pitched right to Johnson. After running into a crowd on the right side, Johnson cut back across the field and sprinted away from everybody for a 78-yard touchdown run.
Michigan State didn't score until the third quarter, when Jaren Hayes' 9-yard run up the middle made it 48-7.
Charles Rogers broke his own school record for catches in a season with 68 after catching 67 last year. He finished the game with 64 yards on five receptions.
Sean McHugh scored on a 2-yard run late in the third quarter, and Michael Robinson scored the final touchdown on a 2-yard run with 8:15 left in the game.
