Spartans Leave Michigan and Get it Done

The Michigan State Spartans left the state of Michigan for the first time all season and took care of business against the Northwestern Wildcats 35-27. But it sure as hell wasn't easy for the Spartans as they were down 17-0 at a point in the first half. If it weren't for a fumble at the one by Northwestern running back Jacob Schmidt it coould have been 24-0.

The Spartans struggled mightily in the first half, being dominated on both ends of the ball. MSU could not run the ball but kept trying. Cousin's had four passing attempts in the first quarter, and the Spartans failed to convert on two 3rd and 1's. MSU's ground game was non-existant along with the rest of the Spartan offense. Northwestern controlled the ball and controlled the game.

The Spartans got a touchdown before the end of the half when Kirk Cousins found Mark Dell in the back of the endzone on a first and goal play from seven yards out with about three minutes left in the half. MSU had finally put together a drive and was looking for any kind of momentum going into the second half.

MSU scored the next TD when Benny Fowler scored on an end around for 22 yards. MSU had cut the deficit down to three 17-14. Northwestern scored the next touchdown to go back up ten going into the 4th quarter.

Critical point, MSU down 10, early 4th quarter. MSU has a 4th and 6 inside Northwestern territory. Conroy would be kicking about a 50 yarder into the wind, so field goal was out of the question. What would Coach Dantonio do? After a timeout, MSU lined up for a punt and took an intentional delay of game, to give the punter Aaron Bates more room to work with. MSU, appeared to be punting, which the announces and myself, felt was the wrong decision.

I was watching with my friend, and just before the snap, he shouts "Man up Dantonio! Go for it!" Well, Bates took the snap, and did not punt it, he threw a jump ball up for Benny Fowler who benefitted from his man not paying attention to the ball. He jumped up and made the catch for the Spartan first down. Another bold fake by Dantonio pays off. The next play Cousins finds Dell for their second touchdown connection to cut the lead down to three 24-21.

Northwestern answered the MSU touchdown with a field goal to go up 27-21. MSU then had a pressure drive, down six late in the game. Cousins led a great drive down the field that culminated in a touchdown when BJ Cunningham made an acrobatic catch off a deflection to give MSU the one point lead 28-27.

MSU then sealed the game on a Edwin Baker touchdown run to make it 35-27.

This was a huge win for the Spartans. Northwestern is a better team than people give them credit for. They are efficient and good at what they do. Persa is a solid dual-threat quarterback. This was a good road test for the Spartans and they overcame the adversity of having no running game and being forced to throw it.

Now the Spartans go on the road in the biggest game of their season to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa has the best defensive line in the country, and Kinick is one of the toughest stadiums in the country. I have to give my edge to Iowa. Stanzi is a much better quarterback than he was last year, and Iowa at home is tough to beat.

But if MSU can pull it off... Rose Bowl or even National Championship dreams are that much closer to reality.