Head coach Mark Dantonio congratulates Ohio State team members after the game Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012 at Spartan Stadium. The MSU football team lost a close game to the Buckeyes by a score of 17-16 in the first Big Ten conference game of the season. Adam Toolin/The State News.
The No. 20 MSU football team was unable to pull off an upset as it fell to No. 14 Ohio State, 17-16 in its Big Ten season opener.
The Spartans struggled to get much production from junior running back Le’Veon Bell, who was held to 45 yards on 17 carries. Junior quarterback Andrew Maxwell threw for 269 yards and a touchdown on 22-of-44 passing, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Buckeyes.
Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller rushed 23 times for 136 yards in addition to throwing for 179 yards and a score on 16-of-23 passes.
After going into halftime trailing the Buckeyes 7-3, the Spartans marched down the field on the opening drive of the second half, coming away with three points after senior kicker Dan Conroy drilled a career long-tying 50 yard field goal.
The Buckeyes responded with a field goal of their own on the next drive, but the Spartans came right back as junior quarterback found sophomore wide receiver Keith Mumphery for a 29-yard touchdown score.
However, the Buckeyes scored on a quick, three play drive when quarterback Braxton Miller hit wide receiver Devin Smith in stride along the right sideline for a 63-yard touchdown, putting the Buckeyes up 17-13.
Midway through the third quarter, Conroy hit another 48-yarder to bring the Spartans within one. After the defense forced Ohio State to go three and out, MSU regained possession at its own 20 with 5:39 remaining.
The Spartans were unable to get anything going, and punted to the Buckeyes with 4:10 remaining in the game, hoping to get a stop on defense. However, Ohio State was able to run out the clock with consecutive first downs, and the Spartans fell to 3-2 on the season.
MSU will return to action next Saturday at Indiana in Memorial Stadium at 12 p.m.
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