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One of the most-anticipated non-conference games of the season lived up to its billing. And Michigan State lived up to its billing as one of the best teams in the country.
Behind a swarming defense and a pair of fantastic freshmen running backs, the fifth-ranked Spartans outlasted No. 7 Oregon 31-28 – but it wasn’t easy.
Oregon battled the Spartans all the way down to the final minutes, but the Spartans defense forced the Ducks to turn it over on downs with just over a minute to go to seal the win.
It was a back-and-forth affair that featured playmakers on both sides of the ball. For Oregon, Eastern Washington transfer Vernon Adams started off fast, completing 4-of-6 passes for 52 yards to lead the Ducks on a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive to begin the game.
MSU quickly responded. Redshirt freshman tailback Madre London reeled off a 62-yard run on the Spartans’ first offensive play and Connor Cook hit Josiah Price for a 12-yard touchdown two plays later.
The Spartans went ahead 14-7 a quarter later when Cook hit Aaron Burbridge for a 17-yard score following an Adams interception – his first of two in the first half.
After forcing a Michigan State three-and-out to open the first half, the explosive Bralon Addison, back from a knee injury that cost him the 2014 season, brought a punt back 81 yards to tie things up at 14 for Oregon.
Even after the mometum swing provided by Addison’s big play, Michigan State was the better team in the third. Behind a stellar, veteran offensive line, true freshman L.J. Scott went to work and scored on a six-yard run and the Spartans also added a field goal later in the third.
Oregon cut the lead down to 24-21, but Scott scored again on a 38-yard scamper early in the fourth to put the lead back to 10, 31-21.
With the Spartans defense playing at a high level, the game looked out of reach until Adams hit Byron Marshall for a 15-yard score with 3:25 to play. The Ducks then forced a three-and-out and had a tremendous chance to go ahead, but Adams overthrew a wide open Marshall with just over a minute to play.
After just missing a go-ahead score, Michigan State followed with a sack and forced an incomplete pass on fourth down to pull out the win.
The win was a huge one for Michigan State, providing an important resume booster for the eyes of the College Football Playoff committee. Connor Cook was his usual reliable self with 192 yards and two scores through the air, but the Spartans rushing attack was the story. The running back position was a major question mark coming into the season, but MSU has two studs in London (103 yards) and Scott (76 yards, 2 TDs).
Though it allowed Oregon to gain 432 yards, the MSU defense lived up to its reputation and came up with timely stops when it mattered the most. *
It’s a tough loss for Oregon, but not one that should be treated as the end of the world. It came into a hostile environment with an inexperienced quarterback in Adams and fought to the final minute.
Adams shook off an injured finger and two early interceptions to show that he’s the real deal, finishing with 309 passing yards and making several highlight reel plays. He is never going to quite fill the shoes that Marcus Mariota left behind, but for a guy who arrived on campus less than a month ago, he did just fine and should only continue to improve with Pac-12 play on the horizon for the Ducks.
For more Michigan State news, visit SpartanMag.com.
For more Oregon news, visit DuckSportsAuthority.com.
Follow @SamDCooper
Behind a swarming defense and a pair of fantastic freshmen running backs, the fifth-ranked Spartans outlasted No. 7 Oregon 31-28 – but it wasn’t easy.
Oregon battled the Spartans all the way down to the final minutes, but the Spartans defense forced the Ducks to turn it over on downs with just over a minute to go to seal the win.
It was a back-and-forth affair that featured playmakers on both sides of the ball. For Oregon, Eastern Washington transfer Vernon Adams started off fast, completing 4-of-6 passes for 52 yards to lead the Ducks on a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive to begin the game.
MSU quickly responded. Redshirt freshman tailback Madre London reeled off a 62-yard run on the Spartans’ first offensive play and Connor Cook hit Josiah Price for a 12-yard touchdown two plays later.
The Spartans went ahead 14-7 a quarter later when Cook hit Aaron Burbridge for a 17-yard score following an Adams interception – his first of two in the first half.
After forcing a Michigan State three-and-out to open the first half, the explosive Bralon Addison, back from a knee injury that cost him the 2014 season, brought a punt back 81 yards to tie things up at 14 for Oregon.
Even after the mometum swing provided by Addison’s big play, Michigan State was the better team in the third. Behind a stellar, veteran offensive line, true freshman L.J. Scott went to work and scored on a six-yard run and the Spartans also added a field goal later in the third.
Oregon cut the lead down to 24-21, but Scott scored again on a 38-yard scamper early in the fourth to put the lead back to 10, 31-21.
With the Spartans defense playing at a high level, the game looked out of reach until Adams hit Byron Marshall for a 15-yard score with 3:25 to play. The Ducks then forced a three-and-out and had a tremendous chance to go ahead, but Adams overthrew a wide open Marshall with just over a minute to play.
The win was a huge one for Michigan State, providing an important resume booster for the eyes of the College Football Playoff committee. Connor Cook was his usual reliable self with 192 yards and two scores through the air, but the Spartans rushing attack was the story. The running back position was a major question mark coming into the season, but MSU has two studs in London (103 yards) and Scott (76 yards, 2 TDs).
Though it allowed Oregon to gain 432 yards, the MSU defense lived up to its reputation and came up with timely stops when it mattered the most. *
It’s a tough loss for Oregon, but not one that should be treated as the end of the world. It came into a hostile environment with an inexperienced quarterback in Adams and fought to the final minute.
Adams shook off an injured finger and two early interceptions to show that he’s the real deal, finishing with 309 passing yards and making several highlight reel plays. He is never going to quite fill the shoes that Marcus Mariota left behind, but for a guy who arrived on campus less than a month ago, he did just fine and should only continue to improve with Pac-12 play on the horizon for the Ducks.
For more Michigan State news, visit SpartanMag.com.
For more Oregon news, visit DuckSportsAuthority.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!Follow @SamDCooper