“(It was a) huge turn early in the game,” MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said.

An MSU team that appeared to be sleeping through the game’s first 29 minutes, finally woke up. Although they endured some shots from the home Spartan Stadium crowd, the Spartans (7-2 overall, 4-1 Big Ten) escaped Minnesota (2-7, 1-4) with a win, 31-24.

Following the go-ahead touchdown pass, the senior quarterback immediately sprinted to his sideline delivering an array of fist pumps that would have made Lions coach Jim Schwartz proud.

Cousins obviously has played in his fair share of big games, but against Minnesota, the three-year starter was about as fired up as he’s shown in his career.

“There’s a lot on the line. I’m a senior, I want to go out the right way (this) season, and I want to have a special season,” said Cousins, who finished the game with 296 passing yards and two touchdowns. “I just want to do all I can to make sure that happens.”

On the other side of the ball, the always emotional senior safety and captain Trenton Robinson led the defense. Allowing 295 yards and three touchdowns to Gophers quarterback MarQueis Gray, it was not a stellar performance by the country’s second best defense.

But Robinson’s two interceptions, one sealing the game in the final seconds, did just enough to earn the victory.

“He’s a man that’s always focused, always ready to give 110-percent,” junior defensive tackle Jerel Worthy said. “He brings a lot of intensity to the team, we kind of feed of him. His (first interception) was very important, we were able to get momentum from that.”

Wide receiver Da’Jon McKnight proved to be Gray’s favorite target. Nine times they hooked up for 173 yards and three scores, wreaking havoc on a depleted Spartans secondary.

On the Gophers opening drive, McKnight took a quick slant 64 yards to the end zone to open up a 7-0 lead for Minnesota.

It was the second time in nine games Minnesota has scored first and the fourth consecutive game the Spartans allowed their opponents opening drive points.

Gray also used his legs to punish the MSU defenders. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, he barreled his way to 71 rushing yard on 21 attempts.

Of the past three quarterbacks the Spartans faced — Denard Robinson, Russell Wilson and Taylor Martinez — sophomore linebacker Max Bullough said Gray’s athleticism might have been the most difficult challenge.

“He might not be as fast as them, but I think he’s a more physical player,” Bullough said. “And he was a vertical threat down the field. He’s a great athlete… and I made sure I told him that after the game.”

Sophomore running back Le’Veon Bell’s 35-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter put MSU on top and was the difference in the game. Bell rushed for 95 yards and two scores, the other a 1-yard run, tying the game at 14 in the second quarter.

The Spartans now travel to Iowa where they were embarrassed last season 37-6 and where the Hawkeyes are undefeated in 2011.

“Certainly, it’s exciting to go back there and get a chance to play much better than last year,” Cousins said. “Obviously, we want to make it personal each and every week … and with last year’s result we can find a way to (do that).”