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[ Monday, Nov. 22, 1999 ]
Lions end season with loss to Spartans
By WILLIAM KALEC
Collegian Staff Writer
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Brandon Short walked off the wet turf of Spartan Stadium with an inexplicable facial expression.
Maybe the realization of playing his last college game had hit him.
Or maybe he remembered how, three weeks ago, he had been playing for a national title instead of rebounding from a third straight loss.
The reason was known only to the fifth-year senior, but Short was shaking his head and cracking a smile of disbelief after the Nittany Lions were defeated Saturday by Michigan State, 35-28.
After drying off from the light drizzle that hung in the sky for most of the second half, Short gave his explanation for the smile peaking through another Saturday full of pain.
"How close we were to one of the greatest comebacks ever in our school's history," Short answered as the reason. "Just thinking about the fluke play against Minnesota. Just how we have lost these three games in a row."
PHOTO: Gordon Marshall
Penn State receiver Eddie Drummond attempts to catch a pass tipped by a Michigan State defender.
And just how Kevin Thompson was unable to get off the last snap of the game — they were all reasons for the smile.
Not since 1914 has Penn State ended a season with three straight losses.
A season that started under the sunshine with a big win against Arizona ended under a dark sky with a loss against Michigan State.
Questions that did not exist in August have finally arose — when it is too late to answer them.
"It's a little disappointing at times," Penn State wide receiver Eddie Drummond said. "We've just got to think positively on our season. If you don't do that, then you are going to go downward and a tough football player never wants to do that."
They also do not want to find themselves in a 28-7 hole midway through the second quarter.
They also don't allow one running back to collect four touchdowns as a freshman.
But Penn State's players were victims of both against the Spartans.
Michigan State tailback T.J. Duckett ended his day in the place he visited more than any other player — the end zone. His 159 yards rushing were finalized on an 11-yard backward plunge across the goal line, giving the Spartans a lead they would not relinquish.
Penn State's last-gasp attempt fell a second too short as Thompson's attempted Hail Mary pass was halted by officials as the clock expired.
He would not have a chance to add on to his 185 yards passing.
He would not have another snap as a senior in the regular season.
He would not have reason to smile — except when looking within himself.
"It's not a 9-3 team," Thompson said. "I am so proud of these guys for the pride and the heart and the character they showed."
