Report card and game-changing moments
Todd Schulz of the Lansing State Journal gave his post-game report card on Sunday. The Spartan offense and coaching got a C, defense a C+, and special teams a D-. Most fans will agree that Schulz’s assessment seems about right
Offense: C
• The final numbers weren’t bad. But Drew Stanton and company had three turnovers and never got back in the end zone after halftime.Defense: C+
• The Spartans pitched a third-quarter shutout and even provided the game-tying touchdown. But in the end, they gave up too many big plays.
There were many moments on Saturday that added up to a net result of the Michigan Wolverines coming away with victory. John Niyo of the Detroit News picked six that changed the game.
3 Trick is no treat for Spartans
Michigan State’s first critical missed opportunity came on its final play of the first quarter. A drive that seemed destined to reach the end zone came up short — and into the hands of Michigan safety Willis Barringer.
Barringer’s interception of a pass by wide receiver Jerramy Scott at the goal line was initially ruled an incomplete pass. But replay judge Jim Augustyn correctly ruled that Barringer had possession of the football before getting stripped by MSU’s Dwayne Holmes at the 13-yard line. The Wolverines’ Prescott Burgess pounced on the fumble and Michigan then drove the length of the field — 87 yards in 11 plays — for a 21-7 lead.