Buckeye Rosters

Recap

EAST LANSING, Mich. — A pair of third quarter turnovers led to 10 Michigan State points and enabled the Spartans to hold off the Buckeyes.

OSU tied the game just before halftime and appeared ready to re-take the lead early in the third quarter. But after driving to the Michigan State nine-yard line on their first possession, the Buckeyes committed the first of three straight miscues.

The first, an intercepted pitch, stalled a potential scoring drive. The next two, both fumbles (one at the Michigan State 39 and the other at the OSU eight), resulted in a touchdown and field goal for the Spartans.

OSU drove to the Michigan State five with just under five minutes to play, but the Spartans’ opportunistic defense again rose to the occasion by intercepting a pass in the corner of the end zone.

Michigan State, behind the blocking of All-American tackle Tony Mandarich, rushed for 372 yards, with both Blake Ezor and Hyland Hickson topping the 100-yard mark.

In addition to being credited with 16 tackles, the best mark of the year by an OSU defender, cornerback Zack Dumas blocked a field goal and recovered a fumble.