Michigan State Upset Attempt Falls Short vs. #2 Ohio State
The Michigan State Spartans’ Senior Day upset bid fell short on Saturday as they lost to the #2 Ohio State Buckeyes, 17-16.
The Michigan State Spartans came up just short in their attempt to upset the #2 Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, losing 17-16 on Senior Day after a failed two-point conversion attempt late in the fourth quarter, ending any slight chance that remained of the Spartans qualifying for a bowl game.
The Spartans drew first blood, L.J. Scott scampering 64 yards on a misdirection screen from Tyler O’Connor on the second play from scrimmage to give Michigan State a 7-0 lead 46 seconds into the game. The teams traded punts before a 24-yard pass from Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett to running back Curtis Samuel tied the score late in the first quarter.
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Michigan State took the lead back early in the second quarter, a 28-yard Michael Geiger field goal capping off an eight-play, 76-yard drive and putting the Spartans ahead 10-7. The Buckeyes responded with a ten-play, 50-yard drive of their own that ended on a 39-yard field Tyler Durbin field goal to tie the score again.
On the Spartans’ next possession, an ill-advised O’Connor pass was picked off by Ohio State’s Chris Worley and returned to the Spartans’ 37-yard line. The Michigan State defense responded, however, Justice Alexander recovering a Mike Weber fumble to end the scoring threat and send the teams to halftime still tied at ten.
Weber made up for his fumble in the third quarter with a 52-yard run deep into Michigan State territory, which he followed up three plays later with a four-yard touchdown run to put the Buckeyes ahead for the first time in the game, 17-10.
Early in the fourth quarter, facing fourth down at their own 38-yard line, the Spartans ran a fake punt with linebacker Chris Frey, who gained 25 yards and a first down. Michigan State did not make the most of the opportunity, however, as the offense stalled out after a penalty and a sack and punted the ball away.
After the Buckeyes went three and out, the Spartans offense launched another drive on the shoulders of Scott, who carried eight straight plays for 56 yards, scoring on a one-yard run to bring the Spartans within one. Head coach Mark Dantonio opted to go for two to try to take the lead, but O’Connor’s pass was intercepted and Ohio State clung to a 17-16 lead.
The Spartans’ defense held once again and Ohio State punted, giving Michigan State the ball back with 2:04 left, no timeouts and a chance to take the lead. O’Connor was anticlimactically picked off by Gareon Conley on the second play of the drive and the Buckeyes ran out the clock to escape Spartan Stadium with a 17-16 win.