Senior captain Chris Frey on Sunday dedicated Michigan State’s upset win over Penn State to teammate Josh Butler, whose father died Saturday morning before the game.

MSU coach Mark Dantonio confirmed during his Sunday night teleconference that Butler learned shortly before the Spartans’ 27-24 win over the Nittany Lions that his father, Steven, had died suddenly overnight.

"Still hard to believe, it just doesn't feel real, but I know one thing ... no matter what he made sure my brothers & I were taken care of," Butler wrote on Twitter early Sunday morning. "Sacrificed so much and taught us everything we need to know. I'm going to continue to make you happy dad. I love you RIP DAD see you in heaven."

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Dantonio called it "a pretty private matter" but said Butler learned about his father’s death a little more than a half-hour before the Spartans' team walk at Spartan Stadium on Saturday morning. The coach and Butler walked together, lagging behind the rest of the team.

“It was a jolt to our entire team and obviously to Josh,” Dantonio said. “Our thoughts and our prayers are with Josh and his family right now.”

Dantonio gave Butler — a sophomore from Mesquite, Texas — the starting assignment at cornerback against Penn State. It was Butler’s first start since Sept. 23 against Notre Dame and his fourth this season.

Linebacker Frey tweeted Sunday: "This win was for my brother @JustBnJosh! I love my brothers. Through thick and thin, I always got your back! #RestEasy"

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Download our Spartans Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!