Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Terry Smith celebrates with offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane (71) and offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh (68) following an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Sam Balkansky)

Years from now, when the 2025 season is chronicled, of course there will be games and events that the Nittany Nation will want to forget, but one to be remembered is the image of Terry Smith being doused with Gatorade and carried off the field Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

His ear-to-ear grin summed up Penn State’s 28-10 victory over Michigan State, stopping the Nittany Lions’ losing streak at six.

Afterward, Smith regrouped emotionally and attempted to deflect the attention.

“I’m really happy for those guys in the locker room,” he said after a long pause. “Obviously, a great moment for me and my family. It’s just humbling.”

Smith, who said he might get a case of hypothermia from the post-game bath, was presented with the game ball amidst cheers in the locker room.

“I’m sitting here soaking wet,” he said, “but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Even through the three-game losing streak since becoming the Lions’ interim coach, Smith has kept the team playing hard.

“When you got a coach that you really believe loves you and wants the best for you, you’ll do anything for him,” defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, who made two sacks and blocked a punt, said. “And that’s how we are as a team right now.”

Dennis-Sutton is Penn State’s best defensive player, the kind who in the NIL era during this lost season could be attempting to preserve his high-round NFL draft status.

“In today’s times, (on) some teams, guys like that are locked out,” Smith said. “His effort today was incredible — relentless pressure.”

Smith has appealed to the Lions “playing for the brotherhood of Penn State,” and Dennis-Sutton has bought in.

“Whether we win every game, lose every game, I was never born a quitter. My family never instilled that in me,” he 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.”

His teammates followed his lead.

The Lions knew they had advantages up front on both lines and simplified their approach.

On the 76-yard, 13-play touchdown drive that put the Penn State up 21-10 with 4:32 left and pretty much clinched the game, Smith kept it all on the ground.

“Statement drive,” he said. “No passes.”