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Ok, time for a real recap. First of all, WOW. Talk about a huge win for this Spartans team. There were several amazing stats in this game. First of all, the Spartans were penalized 0 times for 0 yards. Now is probably a good time to drop the thuggish, or the undisciplined or the win at all costs talk. Second, during the game, the Spartans both overcame a 14 point deficit and gave up a 14 point deficit - that's kind of weird. Lastly, a blocked punt, a blocked field goal and a safety all in the same game? Awesome.
With that, this defense is pretty fantastic and without them, we are probably a 3 win team. Wisconsin came into this game averaging 50 points per game and we allowed 31. 31 isn't too fantastic, but when the team is averaging 50 that's pretty good. As mentioned already, this defense came up with several big plays, the ones mentioned above, along with two interceptions, and a handful of sacks. Towards the end of the game, Jerel Worthy was barking at the offensive line, full on getting in their face, challending them to protect Kirk and get the job done. Sure enough, the offense did.
Wisconsin came into this game averaging just under 10 points per game. MSU scored 37 (8 of those were on defense). Kirk Cousins was 22-31 for 290 yards and three touchdowns. BJ Cunningham had 6 catches for 102 yards a touchdown and a 2 point conversion. Did you see that 2 point conversion? It was unreal. Hell of a pass from Kirk and an amazing catch by BJ. With the receivers, Keshawn Martin had another huge game with two touchdowns. He has said that he was injured up until the Michigan game, and since being injury free he now has 4 touchdowns in 2 games. I will take that. What is nice about having Keshawn back 100% is that he has speed and it shows. MSU was certainly the faster team on offense this past Saturday. And sure enough, MSU used Keshawn's speed to attack the edges, both with the end around and turning the receiving touchdown to the outside-freezing the Wisconsin defenders. On that same touchdown, Keith Nichol had a perfect downfield block. I wont go into Keith catching the ball a whole lot since that has been written about a billion times already. If anything, search the video. Thank god for those biceps...
The play of the game came on the final drive. With Wisconsin calling timeouts looking to get the ball back should MSU punt, Dan Roushar called up a shuttle pass to Keshawn who took it 11 yards for a first down. This to me was the play of the game. It was almost a perfect play call, I cannot imagine Wisconsin saw that coming, and that first down ruined Wisconsin's plan to leave time on the clock.
Immediately the Nebraska game next week becomes the biggest of the year, the winner of this game will be on the fast track to the B1G championship game and will hold the tie breaker over the other.
6-1 (3-0)
Amazing play. I only saw the last 10 minutes of the game so I had no idea how MSU got the lead. Wisconsin was gashing for huge plays on those late TD drives. Wisconsin must be devastated, if Cousins fumble bounces a little different they win on a game winning FG and maintain a clear path to the BCS title game. Instead, MSU gets the play of the year from Nichol and becomes the Big Ten's top team. Crazy.
ReplyDeleteI chatted with Kenny a little about the game before it happened, and while we both sort of agreed that Wisconsin looked like the better team there were plenty of reasons to believe MSU could get it done. There is a reason 1 loss teams make the national title game on a regular basis and that is because it's difficult to win on the road in college football. Wiscy playing their first true road test bit them in the ass just like last season.
And that brings us to next Saturday. Should be another good one in Lincoln. As big as the last 2 weeks were, the NEB/MSU game is probably a play in game for the B1G Championship Game. After a couple big emotional weeks and now having to travel on the road I wouldn't be surprised if MSU stumbles...though I think Nebraska is a much more flawed team than the Spartans.