Turnovers Bury Michigan State Against #11 Wisconsin

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Sep 24, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Jazz Peavy (11) runs for yards after a catch against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Game Notes and Analysis

Spartans can still win Big Ten, CFP hopes on the ropes

Despite the loss, the Spartans still have an opportunity to claim the Big Ten East with one loss outside of their division, but will likely need to defeat both Ohio State and Michigan to do so.

Their hopes for a spot in the College Football Playoff, however, have dimmed significantly. The Spartans would need to run the table the rest of the way and win the Big Ten to have a chance. Even then, with five Power Five conference champions and a potentially undefeated Houston all looking for a spot in the four-team field, a one-loss Michigan State team might still be on the outside looking in.

Takeaways give Badgers easy points

Michigan State made life easy for Wisconsin by giving them short fields and points off of turnovers. The Spartans committed four turnovers in the game and 21 of the Badgers’ 30 points came from those takeaways. Wisconsin scored on a fumble return in the second quarter and twice the Badgers began drives deep in Michigan State territory, which they turned into touchdowns.

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Spartans run game sputters, O’Connor struggles

Michigan State rushed for only 75 yards in the game and averaged only 3.5 yards per carry even without the 16-yard loss on the bad punt snap in the third quarter. L.J. Scott gained 61 yards on 14 carries, but also put the ball on the ground and the Badgers turned it into points.

After maintaining a two-to-one run-to-pass ratio through their first two games, the Spartans threw the ball much more while playing from behind against Wisconsin. The Spartans attempted 43 passes as a team in the game, only running the ball 27 times.

Unable to lean on his running backs to take the pressure off, O’Connor struggled with the Badgers pass rush, taking four sacks and seven hits, throwing three interceptions and completing just under 50% of his passing attempts (18/38).

Badgers QB Hornibrook competent in first start

After leading the Badgers to two touchdowns in relief of Bart Houston in their 23-17 win over Georgia Southern last Saturday, redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook was named by head coach Paul Chryst as the starter against Michigan State. Hornibrook did not make many big plays or difficult throws but made few mistakes and ran the Wisconsin offense efficiently, finishing 16/26 with 195 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Spartans miss Riley Bullough, suffer injuries at linebacker

Michigan State’s leading tackler, Riley Bullough, was in street clothes on the sideline during the game. The nature of the injury was not announced by the team, but Bullough was wearing an ice pack on his right shoulder after the Notre Dame game last Saturday. Both of Michigan State’s other starting linebackers, Jon Reschke and Chris Frey, left the game at different times, although both would return.

Sep 24, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of mid-field logo honoring former Michigan State Spartans punter Mike Sadler prior to a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Spartans honor Mike Sadler on field

Former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler, who died in a car accident this summer, was honored by the Spartans this weekend as he was inducted into the Michigan State Hall of Fame, the induction committee opting to waive the ten-year eligibility period. The team also honored Sadler by adding his number to the midfield Spartan logo at Spartan Stadium.

Many fans throughout the stadium waved banners with Sadler’s name and number and the Big Ten issued a special commemorative coin which honors both Sadler and former Nebraska punter Sam Foltz, who died in the same accident. The coin will be used for the coin toss before each conference game this season.

Three Spartans participate in anthem protests

Michigan State running back Delton Williams, safety Kenney Luke and defensive end Gabe Sherrod all raised their fists while standing during the national anthem before the game. Their actions mirrored those of many athletes around the country, most notably San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who say that they are protesting racial injustice and police brutality in the United States.

Elsewhere In The Big Ten:

In the early games, the only other matchup between two Big Ten teams featured Iowa (3-1) defeating Rutgers (2-2) 14-7 one week after being demoted from the top 25. The Big Ten swept the rest of the early games, Minnesota (3-0) remaining undefeated, outlasting Colorado State 31-24, and Purdue (2-1) defeating Nevada 24-14.

#4 Michigan (3-0) built a 21-0 second quarter lead over Penn State (2-1) in their Big Ten opener and looked to be cruising to a win at the time of writing. Wake Forest led Indiana (2-0) 14-7 in the second quarter.

#20 Nebraska (3-0) will visit Northwestern (1-2) at 7:30 on Big Ten Network. Both #2 Ohio State (3-0) and Maryland (3-0) did not play this weekend.

Next: Detroit Lions Week Three Preview v. Packers

Up Next:

Michigan State will visit Indiana next Saturday, October 1 at 8:00 on Big Ten Network.

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