An underrated game in the annals of Penn State football history. This one was a hard-fought and tough victory for the Lions, and one they needed to send them to Tempe, Arizona for their bowl game. Michigan State brought their A-game, and as a result, it was played in typical Big Ten physical football fashion. Curtis Enis had a day. Joe Jurevicius had a day. Wally Richardson, on senior night, also had a day in which he threw for a career high in yardage. Michigan State moved the ball offensively also, with quarterback Todd Schultz and tailbacks Sedrick Irvin and Duane Goulbourne put together good games themselves. The exchange in blows between the two teams lasted throughout the game but late in the fourth the Nittany Lions almost blew it with a fumble in their own territory, only to get another chance to break the tie once MSU missed a field goal. A terrific ending to a game that ended an underrated regular 1996 season for Penn State.
Penn State's Top Performers:
Wally Richardson: 21 for 30, 281 yards, 1 TD
Curtis Enis: 28 carries, 166 yards, TD
Penn State notched its 10th win of the year and finished the regular season 10-2, headed for the Fiesta Bowl against Texas. With the loss, Michigan State finished the year 6-5, but then faltered to Stanford in the Sun Bowl to bring their overall to 6-6 in 1996.