You get precious few miracles in your life. State fans are down one. It's worth it.
You'll never get tired of this play
You'll never get tired of this play
The play is greatest ever in Spartan history. Ahead of the Little Giants, ahead of Rocket Man because it was against Michigan - a ranked and favored Michigan. A Michigan team getting ready to lay claim that, with Game Day as a backdrop, they are back to being Michigan again.
It ranks ahead of Smoker to TJ's last second and Desmond Howards's drop in the end zone because there is no controversy, no disputing the result. But even more because of the sheer unexpectedness, the incredible turn of events. It went from one last hope, needing a prayer to ... a miracle!
It ranks ahead of Smoker to TJ's last second and Desmond Howards's drop in the end zone because there is no controversy, no disputing the result. But even more because of the sheer unexpectedness, the incredible turn of events. It went from one last hope, needing a prayer to ... a miracle!
LJ ties it Dantonio had a great quote after the game. State had to "Weather the storm or be the storm."
On that play they were both. State never led in the game. It was a storm from beginning to end. But on the last play they were the storm.
It was a physical game. It took over a quarter for the first team to score. Michigan would be the one to get it. On second and goal FB Sione Houma punched it in and Michigan was up 7-0.
After the score announcer Chris Spielman talked about the toughness it took to make the call and get the score. Can't say I disagreed. This game was going to be physical and tough. Even more than usual.
The teams then traded 3 and outs. Michigan's punt went 32 yards setting up State 1st and 10 at the Michigan 46. A targeting foul by Joe Bolden (Mr Spike from last year - the guys a dick) set up State first and 10 at the Michigan 24.
State's favorite and most effective play on the night was for Cook to target Aaron Burbridge with a back shoulder fade. On the drive he hit Burbridge to get the ball to the 11.
First and 10, State finally got some good blocking and LJ Scott easily scooted into the end zone. Were tied 7-7
On that play they were both. State never led in the game. It was a storm from beginning to end. But on the last play they were the storm.
It was a physical game. It took over a quarter for the first team to score. Michigan would be the one to get it. On second and goal FB Sione Houma punched it in and Michigan was up 7-0.
After the score announcer Chris Spielman talked about the toughness it took to make the call and get the score. Can't say I disagreed. This game was going to be physical and tough. Even more than usual.
The teams then traded 3 and outs. Michigan's punt went 32 yards setting up State 1st and 10 at the Michigan 46. A targeting foul by Joe Bolden (Mr Spike from last year - the guys a dick) set up State first and 10 at the Michigan 24.
State's favorite and most effective play on the night was for Cook to target Aaron Burbridge with a back shoulder fade. On the drive he hit Burbridge to get the ball to the 11.
First and 10, State finally got some good blocking and LJ Scott easily scooted into the end zone. Were tied 7-7
Fake punt! just short State's trouble with special teams struck again. Jabrill Peppers takes the ensuing kickoff 49 yards to the State 48.
State was playing freshman at the safeties yet for one of the few times during the game, Michigan targeted Grayson Miller. WR Jehu Chesson catches it and its first and 10 at the State 25.
But the drive stalls after two Rudock incompletions including a nice break up by Jon Reschke - forcing a FG attempt by Michigan.
It was good. Michigan took a 10-7 lead into halftime.
State knew that they would need to be the agressor into a game in which they came in depleted. They needed to be the storm.
On their first drive of the second half they fake the punt on 4th and 8 on their own 31. The play seemed like it was in slow motion. Tyler O'Conner needs eight but is tackled just short. In a game of inches the inches started going Michigan's way.
Michgan gets the ball and drives to the State 1 first and goal. Michigan runs it and stuffed! 2nd down. Another run and stuffed again.
I was going "You can't have this last yard!"
State was playing freshman at the safeties yet for one of the few times during the game, Michigan targeted Grayson Miller. WR Jehu Chesson catches it and its first and 10 at the State 25.
But the drive stalls after two Rudock incompletions including a nice break up by Jon Reschke - forcing a FG attempt by Michigan.
It was good. Michigan took a 10-7 lead into halftime.
State knew that they would need to be the agressor into a game in which they came in depleted. They needed to be the storm.
On their first drive of the second half they fake the punt on 4th and 8 on their own 31. The play seemed like it was in slow motion. Tyler O'Conner needs eight but is tackled just short. In a game of inches the inches started going Michigan's way.
Michgan gets the ball and drives to the State 1 first and goal. Michigan runs it and stuffed! 2nd down. Another run and stuffed again.
I was going "You can't have this last yard!"
Kings makes it a one score game Michigan tries again and stuffed. A mass of humanity keeps surging back and forth. But no whistle. The play keeps going until the refs call TD. Somehow when Harbaugh is complaining about the refs - this play never comes up.
Nick texts me "Go buy those refs some whistles - they need some"
Michigan got the inches but it sure took an extra long time to get them. Michigan leads 17-7. State is down two scores for the first time all year.
The mental make up of this team and all of Dantonio's teams is phenomenal. They did not panic. They calmly went about their business.
Coming into the game they key area where State had the advantage was at quarterback. Conner Cook is a 1st round draft pick. Rudock is an Iowa outcast. When Cook is on - he is unstoppable.
Cook is on. He dices up the Michigan secondary. He goes 3 for 3 for 80 yards on the drive. On second and 8, Cook hits Macgarret Kings for a 30 yard TD strike. State is back to a one score game 17-14.
Nick texts me "Go buy those refs some whistles - they need some"
Michigan got the inches but it sure took an extra long time to get them. Michigan leads 17-7. State is down two scores for the first time all year.
The mental make up of this team and all of Dantonio's teams is phenomenal. They did not panic. They calmly went about their business.
Coming into the game they key area where State had the advantage was at quarterback. Conner Cook is a 1st round draft pick. Rudock is an Iowa outcast. When Cook is on - he is unstoppable.
Cook is on. He dices up the Michigan secondary. He goes 3 for 3 for 80 yards on the drive. On second and 8, Cook hits Macgarret Kings for a 30 yard TD strike. State is back to a one score game 17-14.
Trevor rumbles for a TD but the refs say no Give Michigan and Harbaugh credit. They took a punch in the mouth and didn't fold. Under Hoke, under RichRod, the crumbling would have started. But this version of the Wolverines (what ever number they claim it is) stood firm.
They drive to the State 8 yard line - first and goal. A holding penalty puts them back to the 18. Rudock throws two incompletions before hitting Chesson again down to the 3 yard line. Michigan kicks the FG and the score goes to 20-14.
The third quarter ends with Michigan DL Willie Henry swan diving unto Delton Williams. Unnecessary roughness. State will start the fourth quarter at the Michigan 32 - first and 10.
The "not on" Cook shows up. Three passes, three incompletions. It's fourth and 10. State again decides to force the game. Rather than attempt a 49 yard FG into the wind they decide to go for it. Cook tries to hit Kings again but it's no good. Michigan lead holds up at 6.
The teams trade punts again. But MSU special teams continue to struggle. Their punt goes for 33 yards and returned 18. A net 15 yard punt puts Michigan first and 10 at the State 28.
A FG seemed like a certainty, a TD would be a disaster. Got to hold Michigan to a FG.
State's defense rises to the occasion. Michigan goes three and out. They hit the FG to go up 23-14 with 9 minutes left. Plenty of time to make up 2 scores but the offense better get a score quick.
I'm not sure quick would be the way to describe the next drive. 6'0" 250 lb FB Trevor Pendelton catches the wheel route and rumbles to the goal line. We're yelling "Go faster!! Faster!"
He's tackled at the goal line. It appears he scores but the refs say otherwise.
In a tight game the calls were going both ways. This one goes Michigan's. But it doesn't matter. LJ scores on the next play to cut the lead to 23-21. Sure would have been nice for Trevor to get his TD though.
They drive to the State 8 yard line - first and goal. A holding penalty puts them back to the 18. Rudock throws two incompletions before hitting Chesson again down to the 3 yard line. Michigan kicks the FG and the score goes to 20-14.
The third quarter ends with Michigan DL Willie Henry swan diving unto Delton Williams. Unnecessary roughness. State will start the fourth quarter at the Michigan 32 - first and 10.
The "not on" Cook shows up. Three passes, three incompletions. It's fourth and 10. State again decides to force the game. Rather than attempt a 49 yard FG into the wind they decide to go for it. Cook tries to hit Kings again but it's no good. Michigan lead holds up at 6.
The teams trade punts again. But MSU special teams continue to struggle. Their punt goes for 33 yards and returned 18. A net 15 yard punt puts Michigan first and 10 at the State 28.
A FG seemed like a certainty, a TD would be a disaster. Got to hold Michigan to a FG.
State's defense rises to the occasion. Michigan goes three and out. They hit the FG to go up 23-14 with 9 minutes left. Plenty of time to make up 2 scores but the offense better get a score quick.
I'm not sure quick would be the way to describe the next drive. 6'0" 250 lb FB Trevor Pendelton catches the wheel route and rumbles to the goal line. We're yelling "Go faster!! Faster!"
He's tackled at the goal line. It appears he scores but the refs say otherwise.
In a tight game the calls were going both ways. This one goes Michigan's. But it doesn't matter. LJ scores on the next play to cut the lead to 23-21. Sure would have been nice for Trevor to get his TD though.
The snap is low, State pounces! State's defense throws a three and out and we get the ball back at our 32.
Cook hits Burbridge again to get it to the Michigan 40. But the drive stalls there.
Then, another special team gaffe. What should have been a pooch punt travels deep into the end zone. Michigan gets the ball at the 20, 6 minutes to go. Still plenty of time.
State's defense stays strong. The pitch another 3 and out forcing Michigan to punt.
State gets the ball back at their 20, 5 minutes to go. All we needs is a FG to win. They offense won the game against Rutgers last week. Can they win it against a much better defense?
Cook starts out on fire hitting Burbridge and Joshua Price. A Gerald Holmes 7 yard run gets it first and 10 at the Michigan 36 with two minutes left.
One more first down and we can try a FG. We just need 10 more. C'Mon State! Just 10 more yards. You can do it.
Willie "Swan Dive" Henry sacks Cook. 2nd and 19 at the Michigan 45. State calls time out.
Cook hits Burbridge again to get it to the Michigan 40. But the drive stalls there.
Then, another special team gaffe. What should have been a pooch punt travels deep into the end zone. Michigan gets the ball at the 20, 6 minutes to go. Still plenty of time.
State's defense stays strong. The pitch another 3 and out forcing Michigan to punt.
State gets the ball back at their 20, 5 minutes to go. All we needs is a FG to win. They offense won the game against Rutgers last week. Can they win it against a much better defense?
Cook starts out on fire hitting Burbridge and Joshua Price. A Gerald Holmes 7 yard run gets it first and 10 at the Michigan 36 with two minutes left.
One more first down and we can try a FG. We just need 10 more. C'Mon State! Just 10 more yards. You can do it.
Willie "Swan Dive" Henry sacks Cook. 2nd and 19 at the Michigan 45. State calls time out.
And Watts Jackson completes the miracle Cook tries Burbridge again. Incomplete. 3rd and 19.
Cook again targets his favorite receiver. It was a special battle between Burbridge and Michigan DB Jourdan Lewis all night. Lewis got the better of Burbridge on this one. Incomplete. 4th and 19.
State calls time out. I didn't like this time out. I know they wanted to set up a play for the game deciding 4th down. But if they don't get it they can at least have a chance to get the ball back with two time outs left. With one, it would take a miracle.
Cook heaves one ot Kings and .... incomplete. Ball game. Michigan can run out the clock.
Then again maybe not. State stuffs the run three straight times.
On fourth down, with 10 seconds left Michigan drops back to punt and ....
You know the rest.
Legendary
Cook again targets his favorite receiver. It was a special battle between Burbridge and Michigan DB Jourdan Lewis all night. Lewis got the better of Burbridge on this one. Incomplete. 4th and 19.
State calls time out. I didn't like this time out. I know they wanted to set up a play for the game deciding 4th down. But if they don't get it they can at least have a chance to get the ball back with two time outs left. With one, it would take a miracle.
Cook heaves one ot Kings and .... incomplete. Ball game. Michigan can run out the clock.
Then again maybe not. State stuffs the run three straight times.
On fourth down, with 10 seconds left Michigan drops back to punt and ....
You know the rest.
Legendary
