MSU 39, IU 29 (Beginning of 4th) -- After a Spartan interception, Brett Swensen booted a another 45-yarder to make it a two score game.
MSU 36, IU 29 (1:39 left in 3rd) -- So as a chorus (30,000 strong) rain down boos, let's recap.
The Hoosiers were pinned deep on their one. Bryan Payton got a carry and the play had to be reviewed to make sure it was not a safety. After it was ruled not a safety, Chappell hooked up with Terrence Turner for a 99-(yes, 99)yard score. But as the case has been all night, there was a penalty on the play. Holding was the call and since it was in the endzone, a safety for MSU was the outcome.
MSU 34, IU 29 (12:42 in 3rd) -- "Here's what I'm learning about Michigan State's defense -- it's bad."
Such were the words from my trusty cohort Lee Hurwitz after Marcus Thigpen sprinted to a 79-yard touchdown off a pass from Kellen Lewis. Out of the slot, Thigpen caught the ball about 15 yards past the line of scrimmage and all that was left for the back to do was shed a weak arm tackle from a Spartan defender.
The score was Thigpen's third of the day. Thigpen has nine carries for 114 yards and two scores on the ground. Through the air, he has two catches for 94 yards and the touchdown.
And everyone thought it was going to be the Javon Ringer (24 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD, 1 rec., 14 yards) show.
MSU 34, IU 22 (13:33 left in 3rd) -- After a 33-yard strike into Hoosier territory, Javon Ringer punched the ball in from a yard out.
Ringer now has 21 carries for 81 yards and the score.
Kellen Lewis is back in at quarterback for IU.
MSU 27, IU 22 (Halftime) -- I wasn't able to immediately update the blog because I had already used up my three NCAA allotted posts of the quarter.
Marcus Thigpen got his second score of the day, and in grand fashion. Thigpen streaked across the middle of the field after breaking through the line for a 78-yard touchdown run.
MSU 27, IU 16 (1:29 left in 2nd) -- What was I saying about momentum? Michigan State finally exploited the inexperienced secondary, picking on Jerimy Finch. Hoyer laced a pass up the middle of the field, and after Finch prematurely bit on the pass, Charlie Gantt outran the remaining Hoosier 'D' for an 82-yard touchdown reception.
Kellen Lewis update: No. 15 is questionable as to whether he will return with a leg injury.
MSU 20, IU 16 (3:56 left in 2nd) -- Yes, a safety. Jerimy Finch may not have gotten the starting nod this afternoon, but he did just earn his company two points.
The defense forced a punt after making two stops in the backfield and a misfired from Hoyer on third down. Finch then blocked the ensuing punt and the Hoosiers fell on top the MSU punter who fell on the ball in the endzone.
The momentum may just be shifting.
MSU 20, IU 14 (6:55 left in 2nd) -- Behind powerful downhill running from Bryan Payton, accurate passing by Ben Chappell and a couple of MSU gaffes, IU was able to bring the score within a touchdown.
Marcus Thigpen got the touchdown on a short run up the gut.
Athletics Director Rick Greenspan was on the sideline and enthusiastically cheering for IU as he has been all season. Unfortunatly, G-span was left hanging on his high five offers to the celebrating Hoosiers coming on the field. It made me giggle so I thought I'd share.
MSU 20, IU 7 (9:18 left in 2nd) -- Seems my last post was correct in calling a turning point in the game. MSU's Brian Hoyer hooked up with a wide open Mark Dell for an easy pass-and-catch 14-yard score.
Kellen Lewis is up and jogging on the sidelines without a helmet. If I had to guess, No. 15 will be back running the offense shortly, but not this drive.
MSU 13, IU 7 (start of the 2nd quarter) -- If momentum is a legitimate factor is sporting contests, the Hoosiers are in trouble.
With Kellen Lewis being tended to on the sidelines after coming up limp on a play, Ben Chappell threw an interception on IU's side of the field. Adding stupidity to mistake, Chappell earned himself a personal foul after hitting the Spartan defender, Ross Weaver, after he was out of bounds.
The penalty and a Javon Ringer run set-up a 1-yard sneak by MSU quarterback Brian Hoyer.
IU 7, MSU 6 -- Brett Swensen hit his second field goal of the day. The three-pointer, a career long, was a 48-yarder.
Javon Ringer hasn't really been the focus of the Spartan offense. He has had only a handful of carries for a few yards. and has even been taken down in the backfield by IU a couple of times.
IU 7, MSU 3 -- We've been seeing these plays in practice and it's exciting to see them run in a game situation. The Hoosiers have both backup QB Ben Chappell and Kellen Lewis on the field. Chappell would be behind center and Lewis would lineup in the slot and the usually motion to a tailback position.
On the drive Lewis caught two passes and was clearly a distraction when not taking the snaps. He also made some good throws and of course some fun runs. Lewis connected with Ray Fisher for a 7-yard touchdown pass on a 10-and-out route to punctuate the scoring drive.
MSU 3, IU 0 -- It didn't take long for the Spartans to draw first blood. MSU kicker Brett Swenson nailed a 45-yard field goal to cap off a 10 play drive.
The field goal was forced after Will Paterson had an sure pick-six bounce of his pads, and just out of the reach of Chris Adkins.
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Freshman Chris Adkins, sophomore Richard Council, senior Joe Kleinsmith and senior Brandon Mosley -- your secondary today.
They'll be trying to stop that one guy from Michigan State everyone has been talking about. You know? The Heisman candidate.
Stay tuned and I'll let you know how the game unfolds.
