Michigan State survives more Tate Forcier dramatics, wins in overtime, 26-20
EAST LANSING - For Tate Forcier and Michigan, the magic finally ran out. Forcier led Michigan on another memorable two-minute drive Saturday, tying a game the Wolverines had no business being in with two seconds left, but Michigan State proved more clutch in the end.
Chris L. Rucker intercepted a deflected Forcier pass in the end zone at the start of overtime, and Larry Caper ran 23 yards through the entire Wolverines defense for the game-winning score as Michigan State survived a rivalry game for the ages, 26-20, at Spartan Stadium. Forcier, who led game-winning drives against Notre Dame and Indiana, threw two touchdown passes in a dramatic fourth quarter as the 22nd-ranked Wolverines rallied from a 20-6 deficit before falling for the first time this year. He found Darryl Stonum for a 60-yard score down the MSU sideline with 4:03 to play, then engineered a 12-play, 92-yard march in a driving rainstorm.
Roy Roundtree caught the game-tying touchdown pass alone in the back of the end zone, and momentum appeared to be on Michigan’s side. “Felt great,” Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said. “Going to overtime, we got a reprieve, we got another chance. And we just didn’t execute in overtime and they did.” Forcier’s interception came on third-and-five play from the MSU 8, when he rolled right and tried to force a pass through traffic to Martavious Odoms. Odoms cut short his route on the play, safety Danny Fortener punched the ball out of the air, and Rucker made a diving catch to give MSU possession. “I take complete blame for that,” Forcier said. “That’s something I told myself I wasn’t going to do is make a freshman mistake, and I did.” MSU (2-3, 1-1) lost 9 yards on the ensuing snap when Glenn Winston mishandled a pitch from backup quarterback Keith Nichol. Two plays later, Caper broke through the right side of the line, fought off a Troy Woolfolk tackle and stumbled into the end zone where pandemonium ensued. “It’s probably one of the greatest things I’ve felt in my life,” Michigan State receiver Blair White said. “We should have had a victory earlier. On the offensive side of the ball, we could have made it 27-6 at one point. We had a bunch of opportunities, but just to get a win against these guys in any way, I think it’s huge for us.” Michigan State, which won back-to-back games in the rivalry for the first time since 1966-67, dominated play early by keeping Michigan’s Big Ten-best rushing offense off the field. The Spartans had a 10-minute, 80-yard first-quarter touchdown drive in which they amassed 130 yards of total offense, lost 50 by penalty (thanks to three personal fouls), and dug out of second-and-25, second-and-15 and first-and-25 holes. Michigan’s only offense through the first three quarters was two Jason Olesnavage field goals, and the Wolverines (4-1, 1-1) were fortunate they didn’t trail by more after Zoltan Mesko lost two yards on a botched fake punt deep in Michigan territory. “I’ve always said we have to make the other team play some defense, and in the first half they didn’t have to play any defense,” Rodriguez said. “They did, but they didn’t have to play it for extended periods of time cause we weren’t getting first downs and we weren’t stopping them.” Michigan finished with 27 yards rushing, its lowest total in 17 games under Rodriguez, and had just 62 yards of total offense in the first half. The Wolverines entered Saturday averaging 240 yards rushing and 37.5 points per game. Forcier finished 17 of 32 passing for 223 yards and led Michigan with 27 yards rushing on 13 carries. “We can’t win all of them, and today wasn’t the day,” the true freshman said. Kirk Cousins was 15 of 21 passing for 152 yards for MSU before leaving late in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. The Spartans, coming off consecutive losses to Central Michigan, Notre Dame and Wisconsin, may have saved their season with the win. “This certainly is one of the (games) you point at and say, ‘Michigan-Michigan State,’ and sometimes it defines you,” MSU coach Mark Dantonio said. “To me, it’s a critical game. That’s just the way it is.” Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
A2D2
Sun, Oct 4, 2009 : 6:50 p.m.
Rich Rod tried to protect Tate early. the game plan was one step short of being silly. I hope RR has learned that Tate's game is from the Brett Favre mold......
A2D2
Sun, Oct 4, 2009 : 6:49 p.m.
Rich Rod tried to protect Tate early. the game plan was one step short of being silly. I hope RR has learned that Tate's game is from the Brett Favre mold......
LakeErieMaize/Blue
Sun, Oct 4, 2009 : 5:52 p.m.
Let's just remember that we are still young.But one thing does stick out for me!While Sparty(little bro.)was talking JUNK last week about being DISRESPECTED by us and not liking us very much(HATING US)Where was our HEART for that game?That worries me about RR! You can't teach HEART!! You either got it or you don't. Tate's got IT!!Minor seems to have it (when he's on the field running VIOLENTLY!!)But who else got it? We will find out next week!!GO BLUE!!
Tate Force
Sun, Oct 4, 2009 : 9:24 a.m.
We should have won that game. That was such a lucky break picking off that pass in OT. Let's go Blue. We're going to take this out on Iowa next week. We'll show them what we're made of. Blue Forever!
stevieboy
Sun, Oct 4, 2009 : 2:10 a.m.
Despite some key big plays, the Defense looked better today than it have in the past few games. The offense is having some execution problems. This was a poorly played game by the whole team including the coaches. The key to the game is Matchups. You have all this talent on the sideline that are second and third string backups, that is just watching the game. You will never now how they will step in a big game until you play them. Obviously some of the starters weren't good match ups with with their opponents. That could be strength, technique, speed or whatever. That is why you have backups, they might match well better than you think. Plus if given an opportunity you never know how they will respond. Put them in the game and make something happen. Stop wasting Talent.
dommer1244
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 11:37 p.m.
I have to ask a serious question for U of M fans...To start this was the first time I have seen Tate play, I was pretty impressed with him, alot of potential. Before the game on ESPN they were joking about the last game against Indiana and how he looked really hurt and was very animated about it, maybe he was. I noticed today he seemed extremely animated about how hard he was playing and how hurt he looked...I don't remember seeing Henne or any other U of M qb's acting this way.
tater
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 9:17 p.m.
Top Ten things we'll never hear a Spartan fan say: 10. "Uh, UM is 4-1 and we're only 2-3. We aren't really better than them, are we?" 9. "We're going to a Florida bowl two years in a row." 8. "Let's not burn that couch and just celebrate indoors instead." 7. "Only thirty more victories in a row and the series is even." 6. "No, that's OK, I don't want another beer." 5. "I'm quitting my McDonald's job to go work for NASA." 4. "Wow, the coach has been here for five years now." 3. "Instead of bragging incessantly for the next year, I think I'll just show some class and pretend we've actually beaten UM before." 2. "We just won a National Championship." 1. "Our cheerleaders sure look great today."
jeremy
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 9:16 p.m.
victorsvaliant....if michigan's record vs sec is 19-5 all time then you may want to go back and look at ohio states all time record....the 0-8 is in bowl games only....which sux enough as is
David Briegel
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 8:56 p.m.
So this is the offensive genius Martin hired to save us. Really? No offense for more than three quarters and the poor defense playing loose and on the field for most of the game. Then a quick rally at the end in an effort to make up for one of the worst calls I've ever seen, the fake punt! And when we had the momentum, wouldn't it have been a great time to gamble it all on a two point conversion? Now that would have been a more honorable loss! And we might have won!
jeremy
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 8:41 p.m.
I have to give forcier alot of props for his performance today. The kid has heart. If only his heart could be shared with the defense. In all my years of watching michigan i have never seen a defense so poor. Robinson isnt looking like a great hire either
PJ
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 7:21 p.m.
Bucky...what a short memory....I believe last time Michigan played an SEC team - it was Tebow and Florida. I believe we won. See you in November GO BLUE
Victors Valiant
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 6:58 p.m.
Hey Bucky - Michigan is 19-5-1 against the SEC. OSUcks is 0-8. Go talk your trash somewhere else. Michigan is rebuilding and will restore the B10's tarnished reputation because OSU is moving backwards. TP is not a good QB; at least under Tressel. Anyway this game was a wake-up call for UM today. The defense must step up. Tate cannot continue to carry this team on his shoulders and not make mistakes. This is one loss. Probably a good loss for UM. I don't like the fact that RR is 1-4 in rivalry games in two years. He had that same issue at WV. He won't last long in AA if he doesn't win these games.
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 5:47 p.m.
It's hard going for two when your quarterback is doing his best impression of Donovan McNabb and the infamous puke game. Either he's been Barwissed into exhaustion, or he's got a bit of the drama queen in him. But I thought the same thing - that would have been a good opportunity for the 2pc if all the spread plays were available.
1bit
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 5:37 p.m.
Hahahaha - an instigator amongst us... if someone wants to talk about wasting top tier talent and losing to the SEC, I think there's no reason to look north of Columbus! A loss is sometimes a good thing and hopefully the fellas regroup and learn something here. There's a term for teams that always win by luck: "Notre Dame"
Bucky
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 5:19 p.m.
AZwolverine - Good point. Agree. So lets look ahead. After beating Delaware Teaching College, ILL, and Purdue. UM ends up 7-5 and should go straight to Music City Bowl. Instead it will be to FL in Tampa on New Years Day to get demoralized by SEC. And UM will still get another Top tier recruiting class to underperform. Good Times.
azwolverine
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 5:11 p.m.
John Roos, Funny, I was thinking at the time Michigan should go for two, also. Going for the tie was fine, but it seemed that we had been dominated and were finally on a roll, maybe we should just try to end it. That said, I don't mind going for the tie. Other parts of the game I do mind, but not that.
1bit
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 4:55 p.m.
The defense was much better today. Our offense was the problem and I think the first road game was hard for them. Plus, the offensive calls we were making were either bad or poorly executed. The saying "too cute by half" comes to mind as far as the play calling. The guys had nice try at the end, but MSU was trying to hand us the game. This is a nice dose of reality but we haven't been as good as our record and MSU hasn't been as bad. I think we've got a decent chance against Iowa...
azwolverine
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 4:32 p.m.
Bucky, Same character you guys always show despite the talent, right? At least we made a comeback, you guys always seem to get comeback on. Right again!
Bucky
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 4:26 p.m.
All talent. Little character. Rest of Big Ten season will show true colors. Wisconsin and Ohio State will demoralize UM.
azwolverine
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 4:25 p.m.
kerch, I hate to burst your bubble, but until the last two drives, the offense wasn't any better.
kerch65
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 4:11 p.m.
michigans defense should walk back to ann arbor they blow they cant cover wr they cant stop the run they totaly are the weeeeeeeeeeeeak link of this team and as far as next week if you cant beat the skirts defense there is noooooo way in hell they can beat the hawkeyes tired of these defenses sucking i remember the days when michigan had defenses that were feared this defense is a joke
elizabethrulz1
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 3:51 p.m.
OMG! how can a fake punt from that deep in the UM zone be a read? that call came straight from the bench...once again Rod. is blaming his players. if fake punts were such a "commmon" read, why was this the first one this season? Rod is going to expidite us to yet another year of defeat.
Theo212
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 3:45 p.m.
Obviously, we have WAY more talent than those dregs. Really, for State, it's still just a moral victory, since they have no chance against us next year. Plus, they will likely not make a bowl. We gave them this game. They did not win it themselves. We have EVERY reason to believe that there is not a game left on our schedule that we can't win. Sparties, enjoy December in East Lansing.
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 3:44 p.m.
Forcier certainly has the heart of a veteran. Just not the coaching behind him, and he does make his share of freshman mistakes. The defense was terrible, the offensive line simply overmatched. I think this team will be lucky to become bowl eligible in the end. RichRod simply gutted the team when he got here, and this rebuilding is painful, especially since he doesn't seem to care about not having a defense.
azwolverine
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 3:39 p.m.
As I said all week, MSU had a very good shot of beating us. Many Michigan fans laughed MSU off and said they had no chance and even railed on Rothstein (I think) for predicting an MSU victory. That said, the upsetting part to me is, even though I knew MSU had a shot, we played terribly for most of the game. That's the part that is discouraging to me. How can Michigan be so unprepared for the first three quarters of the game? Hopefully as some have said, they will learn from this and come out better prepared against Iowa.
tulsatom
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 3:29 p.m.
I couldn't see the game but followed it on the computer. It appeared that MSU dominated this game for the most part in terms of yardage and time of possession but U-M made a valiant comeback with Forcier making some clutch plays. In my view, U-M, MSU, and Notre Dame are all pretty similar, with U-M beating ND at home, ND beating MSU at home, and MSU beating U-M at home -- all in close games. I've got to hand to Michigan for showing a lot of heart today to tie the game up, but MSU was the more consistent team and deserve a lot of credit for the way they played today.
John Roos
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 3:12 p.m.
Should have faked the extra point and went for 2! Great comeback all the same! Go Blue
1bit
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 3:08 p.m.
Live by the sword, die by the sword...
azwolverine
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 3:04 p.m.
Tate is definitely the man...I just wish the entire team had stepped up to the plate earlier. Decided to play some ball way too late, especially in a rivalry game, which for the life of me I can't understand. Let's hope they show up at kickoff against Iowa next week or that one could get ugly.
uminks
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 3:02 p.m.
At least they came back to make a game of it! I'm not sure why the offense was so dormit in the first 3 QTRS. Defense has to improve!!!! Too many 3rd and long conversions for MSU. Play calling was horrible until the 4th QTR. What was it with the fake punt...what an awful call!!! Well they will probably lose next week at IA, beat the div 2 school at home...so we will be 5-2. I think we have a chance to upset IL and PSU...but 7-5 still looks to be the end of season recrod and possibly 8-4!
Kubrick66
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 2:59 p.m.
Just one loss. Suck it up and move forward. Tate's the man, carried the team on his shoulder at the end. Don't blame him for the pick, kid just trying to make a play. GO BLUE!
miatamich
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 : 2:49 p.m.
It's a shame that Ali Haji-Sheikh had that field goal blocked.