#17 Michigan State Blows Lead, Loses At Indiana In Overtime

Game Notes and Analysis

CFP hopes basically gone for MSU, Big Ten unlikely

No team with two losses has ever qualified for the College Football Playoff, so even if Michigan State ran the table the rest of the way, they would still most likely be on the outside looking in at the CFP. They can still win the Big Ten, but they would need to win out and get some help if that were to happen. They play both Michigan and Ohio State, their biggest competition in the East, but would need both of them to lose another game in order to have a shot at winning the division and getting a shot at the Big Ten Championship game.

Spartan offense sputters, defense falls apart as players go down

The offense performed fine on the stat sheet—the ground game had success with L.J. Scott, Madre London and Gerald Holmes and Tyler O’Connor completed 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns—but the offense was frustratingly inconsistent in the game, ending nine of twelve drives without any points, including four that saw the Spartans in Hoosier territory. The Spartans also lost starting center Brian Allen to an apparent arm injury in the fourth quarter.

The defense started out quite strongly, shutting out Indiana for nearly three full quarters despite missing starting linebackers Riley Bullough and Jon Reschke. However, as the game wore on the Spartans clearly missed their veteran leaders, especially when other defensive starters began to leave the game.

Cornerback Darian Hicks suffered an injury in the third quarter and did not return, defensive end Raequan Williams and linebacker Chris Frey both left late in the game with injuries and All-American defensive tackle Malik McDowell was ejected late in the fourth after being called for targeting. The Spartan defense conceded three consecutive touchdowns late in the game to give away their lead and send the game to overtime.

Two controversial (correct) calls help sink Spartans

Michigan State struggled with penalties in Saturday’s game, committing 11 for 98 yards, a couple of which had a profound impact on the outcome of the game.

On Indiana’s go-ahead touchdown play late in the fourth quarter, Michigan State All-American defensive tackle Malik McDowell was called for targeting when he hit Richard Lagow in the chest with the crown of his helmet immediately after he threw the ball. McDowell was ejected from the game following the call being upheld by replay.

Although the call was met with criticism from Michigan State fans, they should take issue with the rule itself, not the officials. Big Ten Network rules analyst Mike Periera explained on the broadcast that McDowell was rightfully called for targeting under the current rule. Although he did not hit Lagow helmet-to-helmet, McDowell led with the crown of the helmet, which the rule states is not allowed.

As Indiana’s Griffin Oakes missed what a 33-yard field goal, which would have continued the game into a second overtime, Michigan State’s Drake Martinez was called for “leaping” after attempting to get a running start and propel himself off his teammates’ backs to try to block the kick. The call gave Indiana a first down, which the Hoosiers turned into the game-winning 20-yard field goal. Pereira pointed out after the game that that action was, in fact, not allowed.

It is also worth noting that on the Spartans’ final touchdown drive in regulation, Gerald Holmes was originally ruled to have scored on second and goal from the four-yard line. The officials took away the touchdown after replay and placed the ball at the one-yard line. Michigan State scored two plays later on fourth down to tie the game with 11 seconds remaining in regulation.

Both Spartans and Hoosiers battle kicking woes

Both Michigan State and Indiana struggled with field goals on Saturday. Michigan State’s Michael Geiger’s 40-yard attempt on the Spartans’ first drive of the game was blocked and he missed a 49-yarder that would have given the Spartans the lead in overtime. Indiana’s Griffin Oakes missed two field goals in regulation, a 50-yarder and a 40-yarder, before missing a third in overtime from 33 yards out. A penalty on Michigan State gave him a second chance a few plays later and he made the most of it, burying his game-winning 20-yard attempt.

Mylan Hicks and Mike Sadler honored

Each Michigan State player wore black socks and shoes to honor Mylan Hicks, who died after being shot in Calgary earlier this week and was a fan of wearing black Michigan State gear. The Spartans also wore a special helmet decal of Hicks’ number six.

Also, former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler and former Nebraska punter Sam Foltz were represented on a special commemorative coin which was used for the coin toss around the Big Ten this week. Sadler and Foltz died this summer in the same automobile crash.

Next: Detroit Lions Week Four Preview - at Chicago Bears

Elsewhere In The Big Ten:

#4 Michigan (5-0, 2-0) got an important win at home against #8 Wisconsin (4-1, 1-1), 14-7, in the Big Ten’s headline matchup of the day.

#2 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0) blew out Rutgers (2-3, 0-2) 58-0 and #15 Nebraska (5-0, 2-0) defeated Illinois (0-1, 1-3) 31-16 to remain undefeated. Also remaining undefeated and very much under the radar is Maryland (4-0, 1-0), who destroyed Purdue (2-2, 0-1) 50-7. Northwestern (2-3, 1-1) righted the ship with an upset 38-31 win over Iowa (3-2, 1-1) and Penn State (3-2, 1-1) handed Minnesota (3-1, 0-1) their first loss of the season, 29-26 in overtime.