Before my scattered memories of this game, props to the Buffalo Wild Wing folks who gave a clinic on in-stadium branding. They left no doubt what company was sponsoring this game. Beef 'O' Brady's could learn a thing or two from BWW.
TCU vs. Michigan State
From the outset, all bowl predictions were for a close game dominated by defense. That's been the forecast for every single MSU game this season so why change now?
But oh my. The Spartans offense looked like it somehow regressed since their last game in November, and there wasn't much room to move backwards. And despite how good MSU's defense has been, they must also lead the NCAA in giving up a big play followed by a crushing penalty to add 15 yards.
They did all that in the first half and more. Quarterback Andrew Maxwell looked completely lost, they couldn't get Le'Veon Bell and the running game going and when the receivers did get near the ball, they dropped it as often as they caught it.
Despite a shank, punter Mike Sadler was the first half MVP, pinning the Horned Frogs deep a number of times. There was also possibly the worst trick play ever in MSU history - an attempted half back pass that wound up going back to Maxwell who almost threw an interception. Oh for the days of George Perles.
Instead of seeing that play one more time, how about Little Giants?
13-0 TCU after two quarters and it could have been much worse.
(At this point I'll be honest, it was well past 12am and I had been up since 6am to drive my daughter to work. My eyes, having seen enough horrible football during the day, could not stay open much longer.)
The MSU offense continued to misfire to start the third quarter. Fortunately MSU's defense knows how to play games like this and kept TCU out of the end zone. Finally, the Spartans shook up the offense and put freshman Connor Cook in at QB, leading to the Spartans longest touchdown drive in their bowl history. 13-7 and there was life. The drive did include a drive saving pass not from Cook, but Bell. One can only imagine what this season would have been without him.
Was there a fourth quarter comeback in store for Sparty? Evidently so but I didn't see it. Fell asleep. Just could not keep my eyes open, and no, I wasn't boozing it up. I even had some iced tea for a bit of caffeine to try and help the cause. I have no idea what ESPN was thinking other than wanting a prime time game for the west coast. This game could have been on ABC at 8pm, you know, like every week during the regular season. I think our local ABC affiliate was showing an infomercial for the Schtickie.
Punting hero Mike Sadler, who will play on Sundays, sent a 55 yarder back to TCU after another stalled MSU drive and finally, a break! Muffed punt, Spartans recover. Bell takes it in and it's 14-13. But it's the Spartans so count on more drama. TCU manages a drive and a field goal from kicker Jaden Oberkrom. No, he did not Oberkrombie and Flinch! (That's some Berman-like top dollar humor right there.)
Since I wasn't awake, the finish from the AP: Starting at their own 25-yard line, the Spartans moved 45 yards in eight plays, setting up Conroy for his second game-winner in a bowl after beating Georgia with a 28-yarder in the third overtime of the 2012 Outback Bowl.
A nice way to wake up Sunday morning. MSU 17 TCU 16. NO WAY did I see the Spartans coming back to win after the putrid first half performance. Credit to Mark Dantonio for not letting the team give up but there are a lot of things that need to be addressed for next season.
Game notes:
-MSU is the only team in the calendar year to punt 11 times and still win. Key point, better to punt than turnover the ball not that Spartans didn't try.
-Nice game for Le'Veon Bell in what's likely his final game in green and white. 32 carries, 145 yards, a touchdown and that pass. We'll just forget about that trick play in the first half.
-Also, a good end after a shaky season for kicker Dan Conroy. For a guy who was great his junior year, Conroy's misses this year probably cost MSU a 9-3 record.
-A tiger at the Phoenix Zoo picked the Spartans to win, so did I.
-Not much in the way of swag for players: Gift suite, Fossil watch, Ogio Mercur backpack. Hopefully a Buffalo Wild Wings gift card was in there.
-Did you know Buffalo Wild Wings is the number one account for Dos Equis and Guinness beer in the U.S.?
-Pretty excited about MSU's victory that gave them a winning record? Maybe you should pop for this smart looking Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl sweater vest.
Me either. A positive note to the end the season and a break in the bowl games until Monday.
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