Although Michigan State led comfortably for most of the night against the Irish, it was still a one-possession game with about six minutes to play, showing that perhaps these Spartans are still figuring out how to finish games with the gusto necessary to be title contenders. During a stretch that began late in the third quarter and crossed over into the fourth quarter, however, their play was substandard. Hornibrook did throw an interception, but he led several clock-chewing drives, displayed some impressive accuracy and was particularly effective on third down, helping the Badgers’ offense convert seven of its 16 third-down attempts.
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During Saturday’s playing of the national anthem, Sherrod, along with fullback Delton Williams and safety Kenney Lyke, raised their fists in the air protesting the recent killings.
Clement leads the Badgers in rushing with 197 yards and three touchdowns, and his ability to stay on the field Saturday will be crucial to their success.
Running back LJ Scott also committed a fumble that Wisconsin’s Leo Musso returned 66 yards for a touchdown. Michigan State’s Tyler O’Connor has completed 32 of 44 passes for 431 yards, 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in 2 games. Michigan State may have to go back to the drawing board with its offense. Even those who thought the season-opening victory over LSU was more about the Tigers’ offensive problems must now admit that the Badgers are a legitimate top-10 team. The teams were meeting for the first time since 2012. The only team that may have done better is Alabama, although the Crimson Tide’s win against now 1-3 USC looks far less sexy than it could have. Their 2011 Big Ten championship game was exciting, with the Badgers winning in Indianapolis, 42-39.
Coaches: Mark Dantonio, 89-33 in 10 seasons at Michigan State, 107-50 overall in 13 seasons. Next up is a trip to play MI in Ann Arbor next weekend, followed by games against Ohio State, Iowa and Nebraska. Wisconsin will be Michigan’s toughest opponent to date when the two meet next week in Michigan Stadium. As excited as the Badgers are for this year’s Big Ten schedule – especially after a 3-0 start to the season – they don’t want to get ahead of themselves.
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The week after that, they host Ohio State. But Wisconsin has now gone on the road and pounded the defending Big Ten champions. The Spartans head to Bloomington to take on Indiana. NOTES: Michigan State senior LB Riley Bullough missed the game with an undisclosed injury.
