I finally had a chance to cover a Penn State Nittany Lions football game after schedule conflicts prevented me from doing so the entire season. Speculation leading up to the final game of the season was that this may potentially be Joe Paterno's last home game as head coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions after holding that position for the last 44 seasons. Unfortunately, JoePa himself made it well known in a press conference earlier in the week that he will be back in 2011 to coach the Nittany Lions.
Leading up to the game, there was speculation that Michigan State might break the curse to finally defeat Penn State on their own turf and win for the first time at Beaver Stadium since 1965.
Below, the Penn State Nittany Lions run onto the field prior to the start of the game.
And head coach Joe Paterno
Michigan State would get the ball first after Penn State won the coin toss and deferred until the second half.
Below, Michigan State wide receiver Edwin Baker (4) is stopped by the Penn State defense.
Below, Penn State punter Alex Butterworth (45) punts the ball away.
Below, Penn State linebacker Nate Stupar (34) attempts to tackle Michigan State wide receiver Keith Nichol (7).
Below, Penn State linebacker Nate Stupar (34) tackles Michigan State wide receiver B.J. Cunningham (3)
After shooting a lot of the Penn State defense, I was hoping that Penn State would get the ball back so I could finally shoot some offense. A short time later, I did get my wish.
Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin (11) talks with the offensive line during a TV timeout.
Below, Penn State tailback Evan Royster (22) runs the ball yardage during the second quarter.
Unfortunately, the drive was short lived and the Penn State defense would come back onto the field.
Below, Penn State safety Malcolm Willis (10)
Below, Penn State defensive end Jack Crawford (81)
Below, Penn State linebacker Chris Colasanti (48) attempts to stop Michigan State running back Edwin Baker (4)
Sparty, the Michigan State mascot roars up the fairly large Michigan State fan section
Below, a Penn State fan holds a sign for head coach Joe Paterno to go for 500. (I hope not because that would surely put him over the age of 100.)
Penn State would again get the ball back late in the second quarter.
Below, Michigan State defender chases after a ball that was intended for Penn State wide receiver Justin Brown (19)
Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin (11) looks for an open receiver one last time in the second quarter.
The Penn State Nittany Lions would trail the Michigan State Spartans 14-3 heading into halftime.
Penn State tailback Stephfon Green (21) would catch the return to start the 3rd quarter
Green (21) would gain 24 yards on the return
But again, not such luck for the Penn State offense. Again, it was time to shoot more Penn State defense.
Below, Penn State defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu (85) attempts to break through the Michigan State offensive line.
Penn State defensive end Pete Massaro (59)
Below, Penn State linebacker Chris Colasanti (48) tackles running back Edwin Baker (4)
Below, Penn State defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu (85) and linebacker Bani Gbadyu (15) calls out Michigan State tackle J'Michael Deane (77) for a false start during the 3rd quarter
Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still (71) attempts to break through the Michigan State offensive line
Penn State defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu (85) celebrates following a tackle
Penn State wide receiver Justin Brown (19) makes a catch late in the 3rd quarter
A lot of clients always ask for a shot of the center, but the downside to that is that the center is right in the middle of the field and is usually blocked by both offensive and defensive players. I did however manage to get a clean shot of Penn State center Doug Klopac (68) just before hiking the ball to quarterback Matt McGloin (11).
Below, Michigan State wide receiver Keshawn Martin (82) tries to run the ball as Penn State linebacker Chris Colasanti (48) closes in during the 4th quarter
Michigan State running back Edwin Baker (4) attempts to break a tackle from Penn State linebacker Bani Gbadyu (15)
A nice close-up shot of Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin (11)
The 4th quarter got exciting as Penn State started to close the gap on Michigan State.
Below, Penn State tailback Evan Royster (22) leaps into the endzone for a touchdown in the 4th quarter
Like I mentioned above, as the 4th quarter progressed, the intensity level rose.
Below, wide receivers coach Mike McQueary yells out a play from the sidelines during a timeout
Though the next play is what tops it all off! Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin threw a pass into the endzone that was intercepted by Michigan State safety Trenton Robinson. Robinson then ran the ball 4 yards where it was then stripped by Penn State wide receiver Derek Moye.
Below, Penn State offensive tackles/tight ends coach Bill Kenney (middle) and defense/cornerbacks coach Tom Bradley (right) talk with an official following the play
The Penn State was never able to capitalize on the fumble recovery and Michigan State ended up getting the ball back where they then ran out the clock.
Below, Penn State head coach Joe Paterno (right) congratulates Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio (left) at midfield after Michigan State defeated Penn State 28-22
That wraps up the sub-par season for Penn State football and a phenomenal season for Michigan State as they finished out the season with a win to extend their record to 11-1 and tied with Ohio State and Wisconsin for the Big Ten Championship. It was only two short years ago in November 2008 that Michigan State arrived in Happy Valley with a 9-3 record. On that cold snowy night, I photographed Penn State as they defeated Michigan State 49-18. After that win, Penn State players grabbed roses and ran around Beaver Stadium with them in their mouths as they locked up the 2008 Big Ten Championship with an 11-1 season. Congratulations to Michigan State on a great season and best of luck to Penn State next season.
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