Ohio State-Michigan State 2016 final score: Bucks outlast upset minded MSU on the road for a 17-16 victory
Harry Lyles Jr. via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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It was razor close, but the Buckeyes pulled through.
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The Ohio State Buckeyes gave everyone a scare on Saturday, as they were unable to pull away from the Michigan State Spartans right up until the end, ultimately winning by a 17-16 score.
Michigan State got off to a booming start, when Tyler O’Connor hit L.J. Scott with a 64-yard touchdown pass less than a minute into the game. It made a two play, 75-yard drive pretty painless for the Spartans, who were just 3-7 coming into Saturday afternoon’s game.
J.T. Barrett and the Ohio State offense had a promising answer, when J.T. Barrett was able to find Curtis Samuel for a 24-yard touchdown.
The second quarter was a pretty sloppy one. Both teams got field goals to start it off giving us a 10-10 game, but after that, we didn’t have a whole lot.
We saw a Michigan State drive that ended in an interception to Chris Worley, followed by a Mike Weber fumble. Ohio State received the ball with just under four minutes remaining in the first half, but after five plays, the Bucks didn’t utilize their timeouts, and opted to go into the half positioned on their own 26.
The third quarter wasn’t quite as sloppy, but perhaps just a tad boring. Outside of a four play, 69-yard drive by Ohio State capped off with a Mike Weber rushing touchdown, all drives resulted in punts. There was no question the conditions were affecting both teams.
The fourth quarter was when the anxiety started to kick in. The Buckeyes’ 17-10 lead was shortened, after L.J. Scott absolutely dominated the Buckeyes defense with a drive that was his.
No, really. The Spartans started with the ball with just over nine minutes to go in the fourth quarter, and gave Scott the ball eight consecutive times, going 56 yards, and making it a 17-16 game. Scott started to run for the sideline, but as Mark Dantonio signaled for him to go back out, the Spartans were going for the lead.
Their two-point attempt was spoiled thanks to a Malik Hooker interception.
The Buckeyes couldn’t immediately seal the deal. After taking up just over two and a half minutes of game time, the Buckeyes gave the ball back to the Spartans.
The Ohio State defense, as it seems they always do, made a big play when they needed it, as Gareon Conley intercepted O’Connor on just the second play of their drive. It came after Tyquan Lewis ate him up for a 10-yard sack. This allowed the Bucks to run out the clock, and effectively end the game at 17-16.
Scott finished the game with 19 carries, accumulating 160 yards and one touchdown. He also had 76 yards receiving, and a touchdown.
The Ohio State ground game was prominent as well, with Mike Weber and J.T. Barrett combining for 216 yards. Weber became the third Ohio State freshman to rush for 1,000 yards, joining Robert Smith and Maurice Clarett as the only backs to do so. Curtis Samuel had 40 yards receiving and a touchdown for Urban Meyer’s squad.
Now, the Buckeyes will be looking forward to next week, as they look to keep their playoff hopes in tact with a win over Michigan.
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