Late Plunge Propels Spartans Past Nittany Lions, 35-31
11/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 17, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Jehuu Caulcrick's 1-yard touchdown plunge with just more than 4 minutes remaining capped a crazy comeback for Michigan State, which likely sealed a bowl bid with a 35-31 victory over Penn State in Saturday's regular season finale.
Caulcrick also ran for a first down on a fake punt in Michigan State territory on the same drive to boost the Spartans (7-5, 3-5 Big Ten).
Penn State (8-4, 4-4) -- which lost a 17-point second-half lead -- also will be bowl bound for the 34th time under coach Joe Paterno.
Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer was 16-of-21 for 257 yards and four TDs, including three to receiver Devin Thomas.
Caulcrick had 99 yards on 22 carries. Thomas caught seven passes for 139 yards.
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Rodney Kinlaw rushed for 125 yards and two scores on 28 carries for Penn State. Quarterback Anthony Morelli completed 16 of 35 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown.
Penn State went ahead 24-7 early in the third quarter on a fake field goal, with kicker Kevin Kelly scrambling untouched into the endzone for a 5-yard TD run.
Michigan State cut the lead to 24-21 on a pair of Hoyer touchdown passes -- 3 yards to fullback Jeff McPherson, and 33 yards to Thomas.
But Penn State responded early in the fourth quarter with Kinlaw's 4-yard touchdown run. That made it 31-21.
Hoyer connected with Thomas for a 26-yard TD strike to cut the lead to 31-28 with 11 minutes remaining.
Caulcrick's run gave Michigan State the lead for good.
Penn State had a chance to take the lead with about 1:30 remaining, but Morelli's desperation fourth down pass sailed over receiver Deon Butler's head in the end zone.
The 80-year-old Paterno has 371 career wins -- two behind Florida State's Bobby Bowden for most victories among major college coaches.
