COLUMBUS, OHIO – The defense carried the MSU football team to the finish line Saturday, as the Spartans broke their streak of seven consecutive losses to Ohio State and beat the Buckeyes 10-7 in Columbus, Ohio for the first time since 1998.
The defenders racked up nine sacks, three more than their total for the first four weeks of the season, setting a new team record.
The first touchdown of the game happened in the first quarter when senior quarterback Kirk Cousins rolled right and found senior wide receiver B.J. Cunningham 33 yards down field in the end zone.
Dan Conroy added the extra point and then in the fourth quarter booted a 50-yard field goal to make it a two possession game.
Senior linebacker Chris Norman and sophomore linebacker Denicos Allen both led the team with two sacks each.
Coming into the game, the Spartans had the best defense in the country in terms of yards allowed.
The Buckeyes were previously the only team in the Big Ten that MSU head coach Mark Dantonio had not beaten in his time at MSU.
Freshman quarterback Braxton Miller, who is known for his speed and making plays outside of the pocket, rushed nine times — including sacks — for -27 yards. He was replaced in the fourth quarter by quarterback Joe Bausermann.
Ohio State tried to make it interesting in the end, scoring a touchdown with 10 seconds to go, but MSU recovered the ensuing onside kick.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
