There it was — the Spartans had just given up a touchdown and the Buckeyes kickoff team prepared to make a last-ditch effort to recover the onside kick and score.
Some will say there was no way the Buckeyes could have reached the end zone, but for senior safety Trenton Robinson, the memories of the last-second 29-27 loss to Central Michigan in 2009 were just too cruel.
MSU needed to get this kick. It was time for the Spartans to stand up to the bullies of the Big Ten and use them as a stepping-stone to the next level.
So, Robinson watched the kick carom off two of his teammates, and he dove to the ground and fought for the ball. When the dust settled, Robinson emerged, ball in hand, and the referees gave possession to MSU.
After the game, the players and coaches referred to the win — the team’s first in Ohio Stadium since 1998 — as a program win. Not counting newly added Nebraska, the Spartans now hold a victory over each Big Ten team in Dantonio’s tenure.
Without a doubt, the win was a statement to the conference and one the team hopes it can build on in two weeks against Michigan.
In the meantime, here’s a look at the positives and negatives from Saturday’s game, starting with the good.
Special teams
The onside kick recovery was obviously clutch, but there were other key moments that took place without the offense or defense on the field.
Redshirt freshman punter Mike Sadler let a snap slip through his fingers, and as he scrambled for the ball the Buckeyes lineman chased after him.
Luckily for the left-footed kicker, just as the defenders got to him, he booted the ball, which rolled to OSU’s 20-yard line.
Had he been tackled, it would have been Buckeye ball with 10 yards to go for a touchdown.
Dan Conroy was not about to let Sadler be the only one to show off his leg. The junior kicker booted a 50-yard field goal, matching his career-high distance, and that and Sadler’s punt proved to be the clinching points.
There is a lot of criticism for the special teams units this season, but not after Saturday’s performance.
Pass rush
Everybody apparently hates Ohio State signal callers Braxton Miller and Joe Bauserman — at least everybody on the MSU defense.
The unit relentlessly pursued the Buckeyes’ quarterbacks and dropped them a total of nine times.
The pair split 16 carries for minus-43 yards. Ouch.
Although Saturday was a big win for MSU, it was far from perfect. Here’s a look at the negatives to take from the game.
Senior quarterback Kirk Cousins off — again
For me, this is two games in a row Cousins just has not had it. He threw two interceptions and — from what I saw — easily could have been credited with two more.
Head coach Mark Dantonio didn’t share my view exactly. After the game, he said Cousins “was on” and “was throwing strikes.”
I’m not usually one to disagree with the coach, but I think we might have been watching different games.
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Senior nose tackle Kevin Pickelman
Just for being the only starting defensive lineman and only starter of the Spartans front eight not to record a sack.
That is how well the MSU defense played Saturday afternoon against the Buckeyes.
Anthony Odoardi is a State News football reporter. He can be reached at odoardia@msu.edu.
