Decade of Matchups: MSU’s Victories Over Penn State Reviewed

While MSU rests, thoughts often go to their rivals, with the games only weeks away, so how has MSU done recently against their second biggest rival, Penn State?

Nov 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Keon Wylie (32) sacks Michigan State Spartans quarterback Katin Houser (12) during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images

Rivalry games are the foundation on which many college football seasons come to fruition, and the same remains true for the Michigan State Spartans in 2025's week 12 in the Battle For The Land Grant Trophy against the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Sep 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith watches game action against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

History also matters greatly with rivals, having long-time records and dozens of games played in a passionate war for both fans and players.

With that in mind, how has MSU done against one of their biggest rivals in the Nittany Lions over the past decade, and when have they added to their record?

The Exciting Victories

Michigan State's Armorion Smith (19) celebrates his interception against Youngstown State during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

• From 2015 to 2024, MSU has won nearly all of their games, keeping their record at an intensely close 18-19-1.

• Their wins in 2015 and 2018 were won by more than a field goal, and while still notable, are less notable than their wins in 2017 and 2021.

2017

Michigan State's Rodney Bullard Jr., left, celebrates his touchdown with Luka Vincic during the first quarter in the game against Youngstown State on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

• In 2017, led by Brian Lewerke on offense and David Dowell on defense, MSU relied on consistency to win the game, and their reliance proved steadfast, giving them a 27-24 victory.

• Their win involved shutouts in the second and fourth quarters, and seven points scored in each of every quarter except in the fourth, where they landed two field goals instead of a touchdown.

• The Spartans finished their season with a bowl game blowout against Washington State, and remained ranked as the fifteenth-best team in the nation after their wins and losses.

2021

Michigan State's Ryan Eckley, right, celebrates a deep punt with teammate Darius Snow during the fourth quarter in the game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

• The 2021 Nittany Lions did what the 2017 Spartans strove to do: be consistent in scoring, never letting the opposing defense hold them to under six points.

• However, MSU was the opposite of their previous team, and exploded on offense in quarter one, but collapsed right after, without Lewerke, who had been replaced by Payton Thorne instead.

• They still came out victorious 30-27, but they came far too close to losing against an unranked team as the ninth ranked team in the nation.

• They capped off their season right after in a bowl game against the 13th-ranked Pitt, and it was a sign of optimism for the Spartans, but unfortunately, they began to lose in the years after.

Michigan State's head coach Jonathan Smith holds a football as the team warms up before the game against Youngstown State on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

A win could mean everything for the Spartans' against the Nittany Lions, and it could propel them into further stardom for both the playoffs and next year, but should they lose, history projects mixed opinions.

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