Hoyer was knocked out of the game after taking a hit from Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis in the second quarter.

Laurinaitis, a senior whose father was a professional wrestler nicknamed the “Animal,” proved the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree by laying a beastly hit on Hoyer during a rollout pass. The blow left Hoyer dizzy and caused bruising and swelling on his left, nonthrowing hand.

Hoyer was sacked to end the drive and he returned for one play — an interception — before the end of the first half. Cousins played the entire third quarter, starting 10-of-10 and leading MSU’s only scoring drive.

“I wanted to go back in, but you’re not going to win an argument when the doctors are saying, ‘No, you can’t let him go back in,’” Hoyer said.

The senior starter returned for one series early in the fourth quarter — a three-and-out — after passing mental tests and being able to recite offensive plays.

Cousins, who has now appeared in four games this season, finished the quarter under center after Dantonio decided he didn’t want Hoyer taking any more hits with Michigan slated for this week.

“I think I gained some confidence there,” Cousins said.

Dynamic duo

Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi’s biggest fear in stopping the Buckeyes came true Saturday: The Ohio State offense clicked with quarterback Terrelle Pryor and running back Chris “Beanie” Wells.

Pryor, the most heralded recruit in the country last year, mixed his power and speed while running 12 times for 94 yards.

Pryor’s vicious stiff arms and quick dekes left Spartan defenders in his wake, while the bruising Wells routinely blew past the MSU defensive front four and pushed forward for extra yards against linebackers.

“I think we did a pretty good job of putting kids in position to make plays and we didn’t make them,” Narduzzi said.

Sophomore linebacker Greg Jones, who led the team with 13 tackles, said the success from Ohio State’s rushing tandem was more a result of poor tackling than spectacular running abilities.

“Any missed tackles, it’s not on (Ohio State), it’s on us,” Jones said.

Turnover troubles

One week after rising to sixth in the nation in turnover margin with a plus-10 mark, the Spartans cut that advantage in half with five giveaways and zero takeaways. The Spartans dropped to No. 35 in the nation in turnover margin after the loss.

MSU’s three fumbles and two interceptions were converted into 21 Buckeyes points.

“They’re a terrific defense and you can’t spot them anything, even a three-and-out, let alone turnovers and a few things that we had,” MSU offensive coordinator Don Treadwell said of the Buckeyes.