Hoosiers Stun the Spartans in 24-21 OT
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Indiana claims the Old Brass Spittoon Image: Sammy Jacobs HoosierHuddle.com
Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
The Michigan State Spartans (2-2, 0-2) had no reason to consider this much of a rivalry game. They'd knocked off the Indiana Hoosiers in seven straight meetings and had held the Old Brass Spittoon for the past decade. However, the Indiana Hoosiers changed all that as they overcame a 14-point deficit to win a thrilling contest, 24-21, under the lights at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.
Both teams were attempting to bounce back from losses and dealing with key players due to injuries. IU's Dan Feeney, Dimitric Camiel and Jacob Robinson were out as were MSU's Riley Bullough and Jon Reschke. The Spartans had the first crack at points after a lengthy opening drive but their 40-yard field goal was blocked by the Hoosiers. However, they opened the scoring on their next drive as Tyler O'Connor hit R.J. Shelton for an 86-yard touchdown reception to make the score 7-0. Indiana had a couple of chances to score but RIchard Lagow had a pass intercepted in the end zone and Griffin Oakes missed a 50-yard field goal. The half ended at 7-0.
Indiana got the ball first in the second half and drove to the three-yard line. Kevin Wilson opted to go for it on 4th down and running back Tyler Natee attempted to lob a pass into the end zone for Ian Thomas. It sailed high and the Hoosiers came up empty-handed. The Indiana defense forced a three and out and returned the punt to the 32-yard line but they failed to take advantage of the field position as Oakes missed another field goal, this one from 40 yards. It was Indiana's fifth straight trip inside of Michigan State territory without getting any points. The Spartans made IU pay as Tyler O'Connor found Delton Williams from 24 yards out for his second touchdown pass of the day and the Spartans had what appeared to be a commanding 14-0 lead. The Hoosiers had other ideas. Lagow found Ricky Jones on a slant pass and he scampered 57 yards. IU then got tricky on third and goal as Mitchell Paige took a sweep and tossed the ball back to Richard Lagow for a six-yard touchdown and the Hoosiers first score of the night with only 52 seconds left in the third quarter. Indiana forced the Spartans to punt and then tied the game on a Richard Lagow toss to Ricky Jones from 21 yards out. The Spartans were again forced to punt and IU took their first lead of the night on another Lagow touchdown pass, this one to Mitchell Paige from the fifteen yard line. The score capped a 21-0 run in 11:14 of game time and IU was ahead 21-14 with just over four minutes to play. The Michigan State Spartans refused to give in as they marched down the field and scored on fourth and goal with under thirty seconds to play as O'Connor lobbed a play-action pass to tight end Josiah Price to tie the score at 21-21 and send the game to OT.
The Hoosiers defense stood tall as MSU took the ball first. They sacked O'Connor twice and Michigan State missed a 49-yard field goal. Griffin Oakes missed his third field goal of the night but a leaping penalty was called on the Spartans and Indiana was given a second chance. After a pair of runs, the Hoosiers opted to kick for the win on third down and Griffin Oakes knocked a chip shot 20-yard kick in to give IU the stunning 24-21 victory. Richard Lagow led the Hoosiers offense with 276 yards and two touchdowns, plus a receiving touchdown. Ricky Jones had another outstanding game, catching five passes for 124 yards with a touchdown. Devine Redding had a solid evening against a very good MSU front, grinding out 100 yards on 19 carries. True freshman Tyler Natee was also strong, pounding the ball for 38 yards on 11 carries. The two teams were nearly identical in yards as the Spartans outgained the Hoosiers by the narrowest of margins, 438-437. They each had one turnover and they each struggled mightily with first half penalties before cleaning things up in the second half. Tyler O'Connor finished with 263 yards and three touchdowns and Gerald Holmes led the Spartans with 51 yards rushing.
The Hoosiers will now head to Columbus to face the unbeaten Ohio State Buckeyes before returning home to host the Nebraska Cornhuskers for Homecoming. It was a night to remember for a raucous Memorial Stadium crowd as the Hoosiers did more than just "be competitive" or "make it interesting". Tonight, they took back the Old Brass Spittoon, knocked off a ranked foe and finished off the defending Big Ten East champions for the first time since 2006. One result does not make or break a season but this will be a night that will be remembered as one of the best nights in recent IU football history.