The Michigan State Spartans just won their first bowl game in 10 years, defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 33-30 in a triple overtime Outback Bowl thriller. This was the first bowl victory in five attempts for head coach Mark Dantonio, who took over a mediocre and inconsistent football program in late 2006 and has built it up into one of the Big Ten's best programs. If a 2003 bowl loss to Nebraska under former coach John L. Smith is included, MSU had a five-game bowl losing streak before today.
After MSU's heartbreaking defeat against Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game Dec. 3, today's victory was especially sweet. I don't intend to recount the game blow-by-blow, because it involved too many twists and turns as well as considerable swings in momentum.
But a couple things stand out:
1) The Spartans dug themselves an early hole, going down 16-0 after a back-breaking 95-yard punt return for a touchdown by Georgia's Brandon Boykin late in the first half. The Spartan defense had to take charge to give the offense time to get out of its funk. And it did just that, putting major pressure on Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray, sacking him several times, and intercepting him twice, including one pick returned for a touchdown by cornerback Darqueze Dennard, ironically a native of Dry Branch, Georgia.
2) Michigan State's offense, anemic in the first half with only two first downs, came to life with numerous clutch passing plays by senior quarterback Kirk Cousins, as well as some key runs by bruising back Leveon Bell. Most impressive was when the Spartans took possession on their own 15-yard line trailing by 7 with 2 minutes left in regulation time and no time outs. Cousins connected on several key passes to march the Spartans down the field. Bell bulled his way into the end zone for the score. Trailing 27-26, MSU could have gone for two points to win the game in regulation, but wisely kicked the extra point to send it into overtime. (Twice earlier in the game, Georgia had stuffed Spartan attempts to score 2 following a touchdown.)
As I have mentioned before, we Michigan State fans have endured more than our share of heartache and heartbreak over the years, so today's win was wonderful. It is also bound to boost recruiting and propel the Spartans into a top 10 ranking at the end of the season. This year's defense will return most of its starters, so the Spartans will be a force to be reckoned with on defense come fall 2012, but the offense must replace several graduating receivers and signal caller Cousins. But for now, I'm just savoring the moment.
Oh and, did I mention the Wisconsin Badgers lost their Rose Bowl tilt vs. Oregon? That makes today's gridiron action even MORE satisfying! There is something that really bothers me about Wisconsin, and that is their head coach's bad habit of running up huge scores on hapless opponents. That is poor sportsmanship as well as bad coaching. Why risk getting your starters injured when the outcome of a game is not in doubt? And why not let the less experienced players gain valuable real game action so they're more ready when their time comes to move up on the depth chart?
Today's results help me forget the Detroit Lions' disastrous defensive performance on Sunday as well as several horrendous calls by the officials. Been a great day in Michigan, and this blogger suddenly has a spring in his step!
Add to Bielema's list of offenses his terrible clock management. Was there anything more pathetic than losing a game because you forgot to get a play off in time?
Posted by: K.N. McBride | January 03, 2012 at 06:30 PM