Penn State did it, folks.

The Nittany Lions snapped their six-game skid and notched their first win under Terry Smith in their 28-10 victory over Michigan State at Spartan Stadium on Saturday.

Penn State’s defense did not falter after Michigan State running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver ripped a 57-yard touchdown on the Spartans’ first play from scrimmage. The Nittany Lions got down, got dirty, and only allowed a field goal for the rest of the way en route to victory.

The defensive performance was refreshing when taking Michigan State’s opening-play touchdown under consideration. UCLA and Nico Iamaleava smashed Penn State in the mouth on the first play of that game in early October, and the Nittany Lions showed frustration in their inability to sack Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza a week ago, despite a season-high number of pressures.

At the heart of it all, against the Spartans was one of Penn State’s leaders, Dani Dennis-Sutton.

The senior defensive end could have easily walked off to the NFL Draft after last season, yet chose to stick around for a try at a national championship. While those dreams have long died, Dennis-Sutton registered a signature performance to propel Penn State to its first win in over two months.

Dennis-Sutton blocked his third punt of the season with his play off of Ryan Eckley’s boot midway through the second quarter. He tied Jack Ham and Andre Collins for Penn State’s single-season blocked punts record with three.

Dennis-Sutton also brought down Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic twice while adding two tackles-for-loss and a quarterback hurry. Penn State needed stellar play in all three phases to snap its losing streak, and Dennis-Sutton wasn’t letting it pass up.

“Just whatever can help the team, that’s pretty much it. I never played special teams in my past three years. It’s my first year playing it,” Dennis-Sutton said postgame. “Me and coach [Lu]stig talked about it all summer, we gonna get blocked punts this year to help the team.”

Even with criticism on some truly disastrous defensive line efforts by the Nittany Lions in 2025, there’s nothing else to do but go back to the drawing board and come better next week. Dennis-Sutton really bought into Smith’s leadership when James Franklin was fired, and those emotions and preparation came through against the Spartans.

“Whether we win every game, lose every game, I was never born a quitter. My family never instilled that in me,” Dennis-Sutton said. “Coach Terry made a quote when we started losing. ‘Once you’re a quitter, you’re always a quitter.’ And that sort of resonated with me. I never want to be looked at as a quitter.”

Dennis-Sutton knew he had to bring leadership, talent, and flair to this Penn State side in 2025 after key NFL departures on the defensive line, most notably in Abdul Carter.

With freshman additions to Penn State’s defense who have made game appearances like Chaz Coleman, Daryus Dixson, and Alex Tatsch, Dennis-Sutton’s presence is more important than ever as an established team veteran.

“Without Dani [Dennis-Sutton], man, we would be in a lot of trouble. But, thank God we got Dani,” Dixson said postgame.

Dixson himself had 0.5 tackles-for-loss and contributed to Zion Tracy’s forced fumble in the fourth quarter against Michigan State.

Dennis-Sutton’s presence makes it easier for the coaching staff to maintain fluidity going into the final two games of one of Penn State’s most chaotic seasons to date. It hasn’t been easy sledding in the slightest, but Dennis-Sutton’s stellar play creates a silver lining.

“I’m super proud of him. He’s been working really, really hard. He’s one of our leaders,” Smith said postgame. “In today’s times on some teams, guys like that will opt out. And his effort today, two sacks, a blocked kick, it’s incredible. His relentless pressure. He just plays so hard. He gives everything. I really appreciate it and his leadership means everything to me, to us, and to our defense.”

Dennis-Sutton had three total sacks all season before Michigan State. It hasn’t been his or Penn State’s best year, but at the end of the day, it’s college football surrounded by his teammates. And that’s coming to an end soon.

Dennis-Sutton has only two more games to break the single-season blocked punts record and decide how he wants to leave his Penn State legacy behind. It all starts with Senior Day against Nebraska next Saturday.

“It’s crazy. It’s been a long ride, ups and downs, but I think it’s going to set in more once the day is here. Last home game in Beaver Stadium,” Dennis-Sutton said.

With Dennis-Sutton’s career coming to an end in a way nobody would have thought, he remains at peace knowing Smith has full control and respect from the team. He attributed his game against the Spartans to Smith.

“It’s huge. When you got a coach that you really believe loves you and wants the best for you, you’ll do anything for him. And I felt like that’s how we are as a team right now,” Dennis-Sutton said.