During the first nine weeks of the season, MSU seemed more inclined to commit 30 penalties in a game than score 30 points.
Last week, the Spartans endured another mistake-ridden loss at Ohio State, blowing numerous offensive opportunities en route to their fifth frustrating conference defeat.
It seemed the various problems of the season came together in an ugly 27-13 loss to the Buckeyes.
MSU was 4-5, and it seemed a Bobby Williams firing was more likely than a postseason bowl bid.
But Saturday, the Spartans confirmed what they’d been telling us all year.
They are a talented team. And they’re capable of beating anybody - Big Ten-leading Purdue and Heisman candidate Drew Brees included.
And with a win this Saturday at Penn State, the Spartans could be going bowling. Contrary to popular belief, the team still has much to play for.
Defensively, MSU has held its own all season. In fact, the passing defense ranked No. 3 in the nation going into the Purdue game.
But on offense the Spartans had displayed the excitement of a retirement home party, scoring 20 or more points only twice in the first nine games.
Inexperience and injuries contributed, but poor execution was the biggest hazard in the first nine games.
Purdue came to town with plans of celebrating the Rose Bowl invitation which was sure to come its way after breezing by the Spartans.
Not so fast.
On a chilly November day, MSU finally clicked on all cylinders.
Quarterback Jeff Smoker looked like anything but the freshman he is, hitting receivers on the run and repeatedly finding the first-down marker while scrambling frantically out of the pocket.
The Spartans’ offensive line, which has been decimated by injuries all year, blocked brilliantly, enabling sophomore running back T.J. Duckett to run for 174 yards.
And the Spartans even converted touchdowns from the red zone, which has been alluding them all season.
As always, the defense was excellent.
When it was over and MSU secured a 30-10 win over the No. 9 Boilermakers, Williams was visibly gratified.
He was blunt when asked at what point he felt confident MSU would win the game.
“When the clock read 0:00,” Williams said with a laugh, about the win over his alma mater.
For the first time all season, MSU’s offense converted on opportunities its defense created. After senior cornerback Renaldo Hill’s interception, MSU drove 62 yards, capping the drive with a 1-yard Duckett touchdown run.
Unbelievably, the Spartans are one win away from a bowl bid. They will have to win at Happy Valley on Saturday, a place they haven’t won since 1965. The Nittany Lions are 4-7, and obviously beatable.
But much like the Spartans this past Saturday, the Lions will try and play spoiler.
Penn State is in the midst of its first losing season since 1988.
Much will depend on which MSU team shows up.
Will it be the pathetic offensive club that stumbled through a 4-5 start? Or will the sharp, efficient team that walloped Purdue show its face again?
If its the latter, MSU is going somewhere warm for the holidays.
Jeff Karzen, State News football writer can be reached at karzenje@msu.edu.
