Sophomore quarterback Brian Lewerke (14) fumbles the ball during the game against Ohio State, on Nov. 11, 2017, at Ohio Stadium. The Spartans trail the Buckeys, at the half 3-35.
—No. 12 MSU lost 48-3 to No. 13 Ohio State on Saturday in Columbus.
A punt ended the Spartans first drive which showed some promise, but from there it was all Ohio State and the Buckeyes never looked back, taking away MSU's ability to control their own Big Ten destiny.
With the victory, the Buckeyes’ 6-1 conference record puts them as the solo leader in the Big Ten East. The Spartans now drop to 7-3 on the season and 5-2 in the conference with two games remaining in the regular season.
NO OFFENSIVE MOMENTUM: After the Spartans’ opening drive stalled out, MSU was stagnant on offense.
Quarterback Brian Lewerke, who was coming off two straight 400 yard passing games, completed 18 of 36 passes for 131 yards and two interceptions.
A 47-yard field goal by Matt Coghlin as time expired in the first half gave MSU its only points of the game as the Spartans went into the locker room down 35-3, the most points allowed by MSU in a half in the Mark Dantonio era.
The Buckeyes finished with 524 total offensive yards, while the Spartans had just 195.
L.J. Scott had just 30 yards rushing, a team-high, and Cody White led the team in receiving yards with 42.
INEFFECTIVE DEFENSE: MSU’s defense, which entered Saturday No. 12 in the nation in total defense, was nonexistent against the Buckeyes.
Last weekend, the Spartans were able to contain Penn State running back Saquon Barkley to under 100 yards rushing, but OSU running backs Mike Weber and J.K. Dobbins were too much for MSU’s defense as Weber rushed nine times for 162 yards, including an 82-yard touchdown run, and recorded two touchdowns, and Dobbins recorded 124 yards rushing on 18 carries.
JT Barrett completed 14 of 21 passes for 183 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
MSU’s 335 yards rushing allowed is the most rushing yards allowed in a game under the Dantonio era.
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