"Showtime" Outshines Them All

"Devin Thomas, outstanding catches today," said coach Mark Dantonio after the game, who added the junior's record setting performance was done "with great style."

EAST LANSING – Devin Thomas earned his "Showtime" nickname once again Saturday against Penn State. Grabbing seven receptions on the day, he set a Michigan State record with 75 for the season.

"Devin Thomas, outstanding catches today," said coach Mark Dantonio after the game, who added the wide receiver's record setting performance was done "with great style."

Thomas' 1,226 receiving yards this season are third best in Spartan history.

Michigan State's rising-star junior led the team with 236 all-purpose yards and hauled in three touchdown catches against one of the toughest defenses in college football.

"I just ran my routes and (QB Brian) Hoyer found me," Thomas said after the game. "I just did what I can do"

Thomas performed his best in the second half, providing the Spartans with the kind of clutch performance the Green and White have allowed opponents to have in recent seasons. At halftime, he had only 38 yards on three receptions and a touchdown. After, he added 101 receiving yards on four catches, two of which were TDs.

"We've always challenged our kids to make plays. And obviously there's no better time than crunch time," offensive coordinator Don Treadwell said in his post-game press conference.

But another aspect of Thomas' game, kick-returns, kept the Spartans competitive in the field position battle and limited the Nittany Lions' halftime lead to 17-7. Thomas returned 3 kicks in the first half for 87 yards.

The special teams production spilled into the second half, even though Thomas only gained two more kick-return yards. Penn State began to pooch, bloop and squib the ball on kickoffs to avoid the potential big play, resulting in advantageous field position for Michigan State.

What makes Thomas most happy, though, is getting the opportunity to extend the season, not racking up stats.

"It's a real good feeling. We've been working so hard to get to a bowl game, now we're in prime position to get a decent bowl game," Thomas said. "It's real exciting to be around the team one more time."