EAST LANSING — Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith’s seat is getting hotter following his team’s 28-10 loss to Penn State. Fans chanted for him to be fired in the final minutes of the contest. It’s unclear if the Spartans’ athletic department is ready to make a change. But, it is clear that his offense and defense were not up to the task on this night.
“Got beat tonight by a good Penn State team,” Smith said. “Congratulations to them. They earned that win. They beat us. Fought all game. They are good on defense. And we did think, though, we had to create a couple opportunities situationally to take a shot, and we just did not capitalize a couple of times. You know, I think about the first half, even we get a possession start on our own or their 45 yard line, we go four and out. You’re not going to get many opportunities like that. A short field, and didn’t take advantage of that.
“I thought they really battled to keep us within striking distance throughout the night. And then it got away from us at the end there with the sack fumble.”
Smith also credited the Penn State ground game, which racked up 240 of the Lions’ 367 total yards.
Here’s this week’s collection of quotes from the Penn State postgame interviews with players:
“Just excitement and happiness, not just to get back in the win column, but for Coach T. That was his first win as a head coach, and he did a lot for us, and like, we owed that to him. It’s been a tough six weeks. But we got to find a way to keep winning, and we hope to do that next week.”
— Penn State linebacker Keon Wylie
“I would say it was a lot of development. I feel week to week, I’ve gotten better. Feel like, and I don’t know, I just feel like today was just to really show everything I still got a lot to work on, and we’re still working every week.”
-Freshman PSU CB Daryus Dixson on his first start.
“Whatever I need to do to help the team win, that’s what I’m willing to do. So it feels great to have a good game and help the team win. But the biggest thing is to win. Everybody’s a lot more happier and feels better about themselves.”
