Michigan State-Purdue Recap

For much of Saturday, Michigan State played like a team coming off of a bye week, facing a 6-loss opponent in a game that didn't seem to matter much. At other points, they played like a team set on fire. Let's hope that we'll see more of that Michigan State team,who rose up to knock off Purdue 35-31 on Saturday, despite surrendering 21 points before intermission

Unlike the Spartans' last on-field effort, in which they controlled Minnesota from the start in rolling to a 23-point win, MSU struggled well within the game's opening minutes. Purdue's second drive lasted a grand total of 2 plays, and culminated in an 80-yard touchdown scamper by RB Keith Carlos. Following a poorly-thrown Kirk Cousins pass-turned pick six, MSU found itself down by 7 in the first quarter, at home, on Senior Day.

However, in what has come to define the Spartans' Big Ten season, they rallied to outscore Purdue 22-3 over the game's final two quarters, getting a much better effort from Cousins along the way. In fact, the Spartans' junior QB played a part in all 3 touchdowns, delivering two scores through the air and one two-point conversion, while rushing for MSU's final points. In playing with an injured shoulder and ankle, he showed true grit, much as the rest of his teammates did in coming up with huge plays. Among the many players who stood out, seniors Mark Dell (with two TD's and a fingertip catch on a two-point conversion ), and Chris L. Rucker (with a late interception), rose up to the challenge of delivering a comeback, and in doing so, propelled the Spartans to victory.

In addition to those efforts, State also got a huge play on special teams, courtesy of LB Denicos Allen. For the first time all season, MSU delivered a blocked punt, which resulted in a short field and the ensuing Cousins TD run. Yet again, Michigan State used any and all means necessary to win.

In spite of being down by double digits twice in the game's final quarter, and in spite of facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, these Spartans once again found a way to emerge victorious. The box score might show low rushing yardage and a less-than-stellar first quarter effort, but the end result speaks volumes about State's focus and determination. More than anything, it shows that the Spartans are winners. On any given Saturday, sometimes that's all that matters.

--Beau