EAST LANSING, Mich.— James Franklin stood at the 40-yard line, arms folded while watching a combination of his second- and third-string defensive linemen try and slow down Connor Cook and the Michigan State Spartans.
It looked like a developmental scrimmage early in the fourth quarter as No. 5 (No. 6 AP poll) Michigan State put the finishing touches on the Nittany Lions’ regular season, beating Penn State, 55-16.
Penn State (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten) was no match for Michigan State (11-1, 7-1) in any phase of the game, surrendering two defensive touchdowns, and Cook carved up the Lions’ defense for three touchdowns.