OSU Last Week

It was a game which lived up to the preseason and season-long hype. The top two teams in the conference showed the nation in a primetime game that the Big Ten can compete at a high level. With a final score of 49-37 Ohio State came home with a victory over a top-ten conference team. Ohio State overcame a missed field goal, a muffed punt, and a fumbled kickoff return to hold a 28-21 lead at halftime. In the second quarter Michigan State had an opportunity to increase its lead to 10 points, but instead it missed a field goal and allowed Ohio State to score two touchdowns in the last four minutes of the first half. Michigan State had a long drive to start the second half, but it only resulted in a field goal. Ohio State followed it with a time consuming drive that included some critical runs by J.T. Barrett and Ezekiel Elliott, while Dontre Wilson was able to put his first half fumble behind him with a first down catch. That drive ended with a touchdown run by Elliott, giving Ohio State a 35-24 lead. Michigan State had a promising drive stall in the third quarter, when it failed to convert a fourth down. Dontre Wilson added a touchdown reception in the next drive which put Ohio State up 42-24. Michigan State responded with a touchdown, but Ohio State then scored behind four runs by Barrett and Elliott including a 55-yard run by Barrett. Ohio State again was up by 18 points and Michigan State scored on its next possession but missed the two-point conversion. Ohio State burnt almost five minutes off the clock with a series of running plays and one pass. Michigan State was unable to reach the endzone in its last possession as Ohio State only left thirty seconds on the game clock. Barrett completed 16 passes for 300 yards which included a 79 touchdown pass to Michael Thomas. Elliott had 154 yards of rushing while Barrett ran for 86 yards.