Michigan State Football: Report card for win over Iowa

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Tommy Vento (16) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive/Defensive Lines: A+

A 22-play drive. About 9:04 taken off the clock. Michigan State’s offensive line proved to be a dominant force in this one as the Spartans rode the hot hand to victory. It was obvious that the big guys up front had been owning the Iowa defensive line, so Coach D decided to just hand the ball off to LJ Scott and see what he could do.

That last possession will forever be known as “The Drive” because of this offensive line’s hard work — and that’s why Connor Cook gave his MVP trophy to them, unselfishly.

Cook would be the first to tell you that he did his line a disservice by not trusting them early in the game. What I mean by this is that he constantly had happy feet and looked uncomfortable in a pocket that wasn’t collapsing, even running into pressure on his own. He had all the time in the world to throw, but he was having an off night.

The offensive line played great, especially on that last play to guide Scott across the goal-line for a Spartan victory.

As for the defensive line, it was just as impressive. Shilique Calhoun had been hearing all year long about how overrated he was or how he tends to disappear in big games. Well, he proved all the doubters wrong, recording two huge sacks and arguably positioning himself as the top MVP candidate in the Spartans’ win.

Demetrius Cooper had the other sack and the defensive line dominated and held a stout Hawkeyes’ run game to just 52 yards on 24 carries. These guys really rise to the occasion in big games as they also held Heisman-hopeful running back Ezekiel Elliott to just 33 yards two weeks before.

What a game in the trenches it was for Michigan State and that’s how the Spartans became Big Ten champs.

Next: Linebackers/Secondary