Michigan State Football: Report card for win over Iowa
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) celebrates the game-winning touchdown with tight end Paul Lang (83) over the Iowa Hawkeyes during the fourth quarter in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Michigan State won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
It took a gutsy performance by the Michigan State football team against Iowa to win the Big Ten Championship Game.
What a performance it was for the Michigan State football team on Saturday night in Indianapolis in front of a primarily gold and black crowd. Sure, there were about two Iowa Hawkeyes fans to every one Spartan, but that didn’t take away from the incredibly gutsy win for the green and white.
With a quarterback still ailing from a shoulder injury, Michigan State put together one of the most impressive scoring drives in college football history, totaling 22 plays over nine-plus minutes and ending in a one-yard touchdown by true freshman LJ Scott after being held back, but spinning away from two Iowa defenders.
There’s no doubt that this game lived up to its billing and both the Spartans and Hawkeyes proved that they were worthy of a spot in the College Football Playoff. Unfortunately, one team had to fall and that was the Hawkeyes, 16-13.
Iowa received some major respect from the committee, however, as the Hawkeyes earned the Rose Bowl bid over the previously sixth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. The Hawkeyes had the best defense Michigan State has faced to this point.
How did the Spartans grade out, by position, on Saturday night? Let us know what you think.
Connor Cook: C+
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) runs the ball during the first half in the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Watching Connor Cook attempt passes in the second half of the Big Ten title game was painful. Not only for the coaching staff and spectators, but it probably felt just as bad for the senior gunslinger. The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner looked fatigued and his passes weren’t hitting the targets like they usually had.
Michigan State had to rely on the run heavily in the second half, especially with Cook completing just 7-of-18 passes for just under 100 yards down the stretch.
I’m giving Cook a ‘C+’ not just because he looked off, but it’s clear he’s not completely himself yet. A good few weeks off before the Cotton Bowl will do his shoulder some good because it’s quite obvious that he’s playing through some intense pain.
Too often, his throws were low to the turf or far too high, but luckily it didn’t cost the Spartans. He showed some grit on the final drive, picking up a huge fourth-down conversion with an option keeper and taking a big hit at the end. He was [somehow] named the game’s MVP.
Next: Running Backs