It wasn’t pretty but it was a win.
#15 Michigan State survived a scare from Minnesota as they beat the Golden Gophers 31-24 from Spartan Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Now despite the 7 point spread Michigan State enjoyed when the clock read all zeros in the fourth, the game was a lot closer than that.
Both team’s traded leads all day long and a usually absent Minnesota passing game came to life. Gophers QB MarQueis Gray entered the game against the Spartans with four total touchdown passes this season. However Gray was able to put together a good game completing 19 of 32 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns.
However after being tied 24-24 in the fourth quarter, Michigan State’s running game ended up being too much for Minnesota as Edwin Baker ran for 11 yards to set up third-and-1 at the Minnesota 35. From here Le’Veon Bell went the distance to break the 24-24 tie.
Michigan States defense, which has been pretty solid up until Saturday’s game, came up big on Minnesota’s final drive to seal the 31-24 victory.
“I was very confident,” Minnesota coach Jerry Kill said of his team’s final offensive drive. “I thought we were going to get it to overtime; I was confident until the last play. With 15 seconds on the clock, I thought we had two shots. … I just wish we could have gotten a shot to the end zone.”
Michigan State still has yet to put together a complete game and there still should be plenty of concern surrounding the team despite the win Saturday. Turnovers remain an issue for the offense and there are still questions as to whether or not Kirk Cousins can go on the road and win a big game.
Still the Spartans got better news later on Saturday as Northwestern was able to upset Nebraska in Lincoln giving Michigan State sole possession of first place in the Legends division.
Michigan State now controls their own destiny for a Big Ten Championship Game appearance.
Ref: Detroit Free Press, Freep.com (image)