Interesting MSU play-calling on first drive

MSU received to start the game, and on its first play, senior quarterback Connor Cook threw a fade route to senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge. The Alabama defensive back was face-guarding Burbridge and was flagged for pass interference. Soon after, on third-and-1, the Spartans motioned left and ran a fake-screen quarterback draw to the right. This was the first time MSU had run that play all season. Alabama swarmed and Cook was unable to get the first down around midfield.

Spartans’ defense stout midway through the first quarter

On the drive where Derrick Henry received his first carry of the game, the Spartan defense made a statement. An open-field tackle by freshman defensive back Tyson Smith pinned Alabama at its 29-yard line. Then, on second-and-9, senior defensive back Arjen Colquhoun blitzed from the edge and forced Alabama’s quarterback Jake Coker out of the pocket. Colquhoun forced a fumble and the Crimson Tide lost 13 yards on the play. The Crimson Tide were forced to punt and MSU took over at its 32-yard line.

Punt after punt

Halfway through the second quarter, MSU had 63 total yards compared to Alabama’s 75. Combined, the teams punted seven times and had just 12 first downs. Both teams averaged about three yards per carry.

Until that catch happened

Biggest play of the game so far by Alabama. #RollTide #Goodyear pic.twitter.com/O2W3TQ9I5I

— Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) January 1, 2016

With 6:14 remaining in the half, Coker threw deep to freshman wide receiver Calvin Ridley for a 50-yard reception to the MSU 1-yard line. Two plays later, Heisman Trophy-winner Derrick Henry ran the ball in to score the game’s first points. Alabama’s scoring drive was six plays for 80 yards and put the Tide up 7-0.

Another big catch

The Crimson Tide came away with another big play when Coker hit junior wide receiver O.J. Howard for 41 yards. The play brought Alabama to the MSU 24-yard line and led to a Tide 47-yard field goal. Alabama went up 10-0 with 1:25 left in the half.

MSU's big break, but Cook's big mistake

The Spartans were able to come up with a big catch of their own with 35 seconds remaining in the half. Senior wide receiver Macgarett Kings Jr. caught a 26-yard pass from Cook to bring MSU to the Alabama 30-yard line. Then, Burbridge had a big catch to the 10. But, on the next play, Cook threw an untimely interception. The half would end without a MSU score.