MSU headed to bowl, but not satisfied

A sixth win made Michigan State bowl eligible. Coach Mark Dantonio thinks a seventh victory would validate the Spartans' season in many eyes.

After rallying from an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit to win at Purdue 40-37 last week, Michigan State (6-5, 4-3 Big Ten) can take the next step Saturday with a triumph over No. 13 Penn State (9-2, 7-2).

"We're 2-0 in the month of November," Dantonio said Tuesday. "We'll try to make it 3-0 when Penn State comes in. And the number 7, for those who are spiritual, means completion. Finishing is something we've made a lot of since the end of last season."

Either way, Dantonio's program is headed to a third straight bowl, something the Spartans have done only twice before (1987-90 and 1995-97). Where that game may be depends on Michigan State's showing and other results.

"I wouldn't want it any other way," said Dantonio, whose 22 wins in his first three seasons are a record for the program. "As I told our team, with the exception of one week, we've led every game in the fourth quarter."

The Spartans scored on two touchdown passes from quarterback Kirk Cousins in the final 11:34 and the fourth field goal of the day by Brett Swenson with 1:51 left to stun the Boilermakers last weekend.

But Dantonio knows the Nittany Lions are a different opponent with more than twice as many wins as Purdue in 2009 and a head coach in Joe Paterno who has seen it all in 44 seasons.

"They have great stability," Dantonio said. "I looked back at a scouting report from 2003 when I was an assistant at Ohio State and Penn State wasn't winning as much. They were always able to stay consistent and stable. That's the sign of an outstanding football coach. And he's someone we all look up to as a person."

Dantonio also looks at his 19 departing seniors in a positive light and credits them for much of Michigan State's turnaround. He also expects it to mean even more than usual when they play their final game in Spartan Stadium.

"I think that feeling lasts a lifetime with the way we do it here," Dantonio said. "We allow each senior to bring one parent to the pregame meal and be with us as we prepare. I still remember when I took my jersey off for the last time. And we want to make it special, not just a symbolic gesture. I'd like to think we'll play a little harder and be a little more emotional."

The trick is to translate that emotion to execution as Michigan State did the last three times that Dantonio coached against Penn State in East Lansing, as an assistant in 1997 and 1999 and in an amazing comeback two years ago.

"I remember all those games," Dantonio said. "And if we really want respect this year, we'll win our last Big Ten game against Penn State. If we do, people will start talking about us across the country again. From my perspective, No. 7 is very important."