The Zeitgeist List · rivalries
Land Grant Trophy
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →Penn State leads the all-time series 20–18–1. They've met 39 times since 1914. Penn State has won the last 3.
Stature & the series, 1914–2025
Both programs’ standing over time in their colors, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won.
all-time
18–20–1
Penn State leads
streak
3
Penn State in a row
longest run
5
Michigan State
biggest win
54
Penn State, 2002
first met
1914
39 meetings
The coaching duels
Mark Dantonio vs James Franklin4–2
Nick Saban vs Joe Paterno2–3
John Smith vs Joe Paterno1–3
Mark Dantonio vs Joe Paterno2–2
Mel Tucker vs James Franklin1–3
Bobby Williams vs Joe Paterno0–3
Recent meetings
2025Penn State28–10
2023Penn State42–0
2022Penn State35–16
2021Michigan State30–27
2020Penn State39–24
2019Penn State28–7
2018Michigan State21–17
2017Michigan State27–24
2016Penn State45–12
2015Michigan State55–16
2014Michigan State34–10
2010Michigan State28–22
2009Penn State42–14
2008Penn State49–18