“We are so proud of the man behind center — Kirk Cousins,” offensive coordinator Don Treadwell said. “What he did to hang in there; he got a few hits on him, but he didn’t let it shake him.”

Finishing the game 29-for-43 with 331 yards and three touchdowns, Cousins was especially effective in the second half. Facing a 17-7 deficit at the break, Cousins led No. 5 MSU (8-0 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) back into the game by throwing two fourth-quarter touchdowns on the way to the 35-27 win.

“That’s what great leaders and great quarterbacks are able to do under those kinds of circumstances,” Treadwell said.

Cousins has been one of the most clutch quarterbacks in the conference this season, leading the Spartans to victories after being down or tied at halftime on three occasions.

After Cousins started 12 of MSU’s 13 games last season, Treadwell said his improved play in pressure situations is a direct result of his experience in 2009.

Cousins said it was the total experience as a team last season that has helped the Spartans come out on top in close games.

“This team, we thought, found a way to learn how to win by going through some bumps last year,” Cousins said. “I think we displayed that again (Saturday).”

Spreading the love

Eight different receivers caught Cousins’ 29 completions, including senior receiver Mark Dell and junior receiver B.J. Cunningham, who hauled in nine and eight passes, respectively.

The balance in the passing attack was evident on the Spartans’ fourth-quarter scoring drive that gave them a 28-27 lead with two minutes to play. Cousins completed seven passes to five different receivers on the drive, which ended in a nine-yard touchdown pass to Cunningham in the back of the end zone.

“We spread the ball around,” Cousins said. “We get the ball to anybody who’s open — anybody and everybody.”

Saturday’s game was the latest example of Cousins distributing the wealth to his receivers, tight ends and running backs, as six players have at least 10 receptions on the season.

“It gives defenses a lot to cover,” Cousins said. “There’s a lot of guys that we’re using to succeed, and I think that’s the sign of a great offense.”

Home cooking

Although Saturday’s game was the first for MSU outside of state lines, players and coaches could feel the large green and white following at Ryan Field.

“That was phenomenal,” Treadwell said of the fan support. “They gave us so much energy. You could just sense — being down on the sidelines — all the Spartans that were there.”

MSU sold its 3,000 allotted tickets last week and thousands more Spartans flocked to Evanston for the game, despite it being Homecoming for the Wildcats.

“It was truly tremendous,” senior linebacker Greg Jones said. “You feel like they are our 12th man out there when we’re playing.”