Michigan State Upset Attempt Falls Short vs. #2 Ohio State
28 seniors honored in their final home game
Michigan State honored 28 seniors at their final game at Spartan Stadium on Saturday, including linebacker Riley Bullough, wide receiver R.J. Shelton, tight end Trevor Price and quarterback Tyler O’Connor.
The current senior class for Michigan State has gone 39-13 in the past four seasons, winning two Big Ten Championships (2-13, 2015), the 2014 Rose Bowl and the 2015 Cotton Bowl and qualifying for the 2015-16 College Football Playoff.
Dantonio rolls the dice again
As he is wont to do, head coach Mark Dantonio took a couple of risks on Saturday, including one on a two-point conversion attempt that will be debated in East Lansing for a long time. With 4:41 left in the game, L.J. Scott having just scored to cut the Buckeyes lead to 17-16, Dantonio opted to go for two instead of trying to tie the game with an extra point.
O’Connor tried to throw to Jamal Lyles in double coverage but Ohio State’s Eric Smith picked off the pass to preserve the Buckeyes’ lead. Co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner said after the game that Michigan State had made the decision before the drive to go for two if they scored and that tight end Josiah Price was the first option on the two-point conversion play.
Earlier in the game, Dantonio rolled out the fake punt, as he has done many times before, and linebacker Chris Frey picked up the first down in Ohio State territory on the direct snap. The Spartans offense lost yardage after the play, however, and ended up punting a few plays later.
Injury Report: McDowell sits, Hicks leaves, does not return
Injuries have been a defining element of Michigan State’s season, and Saturday was no exception. Defensive tackle Malik McDowell did not play in the game, still dealing with ankle and rib injuries after missing last week’s win over Rutgers. He joined quarterback Brian Lewerke, linebacker Jon Reschke and offensive lineman Tyler Higby as sidelined starters for Michigan State. Gerald Holmes played after leaving late and not returning in the Rutgers game a week ago.
Cornerback Darian Hicks appeared to suffer a right arm injury in the third quarter and left the game. He returned in the fourth quarter but was injured again and exited late in the fourth.
Graduate transfer defensive tackle Kevin Williams left the game with an undisclosed injury. Defensive end Robert Bowers also exited briefly but returned.