Michigan State DT Mike Panasiuk Gets Pick Six, Flagged for Hat Tip Celebration

Michigan State DT Mike Panasiuk paid homage to the Yankees after intercepting for a 14-yard pick six against Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl.

Down 7–3 to Wake Forest in the first quarter of the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, Michigan State defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk paid homage to Yankees legend Derek Jeter.

Panasiuk intercepted Jamie Newman's pass and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown. While the fans went wild over his pick-six, Panasiuk celebrated by tipping his helmet to the crowd. However, he earned a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. 

Some Yankees fans compared Panasiuk's celebration to Jeter's nephew's hat-tip when the shortstop played his final game at Yankee Stadium in September 2016.

Michigan State's Mike Panasiuk tipped his cap at Yankee Stadium.

He scored a big man touchdown and made it count. pic.twitter.com/DsZNuZqsZt

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 27, 2019

Derek Jeter's nephew gave the @Yankees legend the best hat tip ever #FarewellCaptain #RE2PECT http://t.co/QpUpFTvFQ7 pic.twitter.com/whrqaEMKxs

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 26, 2014

Panasiuk's touchdown put the Spartans ahead 10–7 over Wake Forest and marked his first career TD in four seasons with Michigan State.