Michigan State tops Minnesota behind career game from LJ Scott MLive
In another road night game, amid another downpour, Michigan State showed its performance last week was no fluke. But it had to survive a late rally by Minnesota to do so. The No. 21 Spartans topped Minnesota, 30-27, on Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium behind another strong defensive effort and a resurgent performance in the run game.
Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State’s 30-27 win at Minnesota Lansing State Journal
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch gives his initial thoughts in the wake of Michigan State’s 30-27 win Saturday night at Minnesota.
Michigan State rides LJ Scott, run game to 30-27 road win at Minnesota Detroit Free Press
A rain delay, a sloppy start and a late fade could not slow Michigan State’s building momentum. Not with a return to form by LJ Scott. The junior running back, who sat out last week’s win at Michigan, returned with a career high 194 yards to pace the 22nd-ranked Spartans’ 30-27 victory over Minnesota on Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium.
LJ Scott carries Michigan State past Minnesota Detroit News
One week after knocking off its rival, there was no letdown for Michigan State. Playing in another rainstorm, No. 21 Michigan State took advantage of two turnovers while finally getting its running game going to beat Minnesota, 30-27, at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday.
Michigan State 30, Minnesota 27: 5 things we learned Land of 10
No. 21 Michigan State (5-1, 3-0 Big Ten) held off Minnesota (3-3, 0-3) for a 30-27 win on Saturday night in the rain at TCF Bank Stadium. “5-1, we’ll take it,” coach Mark Dantonio said on the TV broadcast, echoing the thoughts of many fans. It wasn’t pretty, but Michigan State got the win. What did we learn about the Spartans in this game?
How it happened: Michigan State beats Minnesota 30-27 Spartan Tailgate
Playing in a game affected by weather for the second week in a row, Michigan State once again came out victorious with a 30-27 win on the road over Minnesota. The Spartans overcame three lost turnovers, including yet another fumble by LJ Scott, to beat the Gophers. While Scott’s fourth-quarter fumble led to Minnesota’s first touchdown of the game, he also ran for a career-high 194 yards and two touchdowns in the win. All three of Michigan State’s touchdowns came on the ground, as MSU averaged 5.5 yards per carry.
Backed by strong running game, MSU squeezes by Minnesota 30-27 State News
There were plenty of mistakes, no doubt about that. The Spartans turned the ball over three different times. The end was a little dicey, having the MSU faithful nervous during Minnesota’s final onside kick. But there would be no hangover, and a win is a win for MSU, downing the Golden Gophers 30-27. The Spartans are still undefeated in the Big Ten, amassing a 3-0 record.
5 things being talked about after Michigan State nips Minnesota 30-27 MLive
Michigan State stayed unbeaten in three Big Ten games while improving its overall record to 5-1 Saturday by jumping ahead early and then holding on for a 30-27 victory over Minnesota after the Golden Gophers’ late rally fell just short. Here are five things people are talking about as the Spartans turn their attention toward next week’s home game vs. Indiana.
LJ Scott turned the corner vs. Minnesota Spartan Avenue
Could you imagine a worse finish to a football game? Probably not, but a win is a win, and Michigan State came out on top despite a nearly epic fourth-quarter collapse against Minnesota on Saturday night.
No. 21 Spartans Use Ground Game To Beat Gophers, 30-27 MSUSpartans.com
Michigan State didn’t let the thrill of beating Michigan last week deter the momentum. Coach Mark Dantonio and his staff weren’t even worried about a letdown at Minnesota. Confidence is high, and so is the ambition.
Overheard outside the Michigan State locker room: Taking the win and an unacceptable defensive finish MLive
Here are some notable quotes from Michigan State following its 30-27 win over Minnesota
LJ Scott, Madre London give MSU run game a spark Detroit News
he rushing numbers looked pretty good for Michigan State through the first five games of the season, however, the Spartans knew they needed to be better. They needed to get more production from their running backs, a group that entered Saturday’s game at Minnesota without a 100-yard game, something that seemed hard to believe considering the production juniors LJ Scott and Madre London, as well as fifth-year senior Gerald Holmes, have had throughout their careers. Scott had gone over 100 yards six times, Holmes twice and London once.
Spartans defense holds tough despite late fade Detroit News
For three quarters on Saturday night Michigan State’s defense was dominant. For one quarter, it looked like it was playing on its heels. The Spartans made enough plays throughout the game to come away with a 30-27 victory over the Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium, however, those final 15 minutes didn’t sit well with sophomore linebacker Joe Bachie.
Michigan State RBs respond, defense holds on in 30-27 win at Minnesota Detroit Free Press
A rain delay, a sloppy start and a late fade could not slow Michigan State’s building momentum. Not with a return to form by LJ Scott. The junior running back returned with a career-high 194 yards along with two touchdowns to pace the 22nd-ranked Spartans’ 30-27 victory over Minnesota on Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium.
Michigan State grades: Not perfect, but Spartans keep showing growth Detroit Free Press
Chris Solari rates the 22nd-ranked Spartans on a scale of 1 to 10 after their 30-27 win at Minnesota.
Michigan State notes: Spartans’ defense shines early, struggles late, holds off Gophers Detroit Free Press
For a defense that had quickly became one of the nation’s best statistically – and played like it for three quarters Saturday against Minnesota – Michigan State endured a fourth-quarter fade it thought that was left in the past. Yes, the Spartans survived, 30-27. But three touchdowns in the final 12 minutes nearly cost 22nd-ranked MSU when it appeared as if it had the Gophers figured out and shut down.
Coghlin, Heyward are answer men on MSU special teams Detroit News
Michigan State had some questions entering the season with its special teams, but halfway through the season, the Spartans are starting to find some favorable answers. Redshirt freshman Matt Coghlin had three field goals and freshman Connor Heyward had three kickoff returns for 115 yards, including a 55-yarder that set up No. 21 Michigan State’s final touchdown in a 30-27 victory over Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium.
Michigan State pleased with 5-1 first half but knows it will be defined by second half MLive
The first half of Michigan State’s season went better than nearly every analyst outside the program predicted. The Spartans went 5-1 in its first six games, with its only loss coming on a turnover-filled night against Notre Dame. It notched two non-conference wins, then a solid home win over Iowa followed by a road upset of Michigan last week.
Overheard: What Michigan State football players, coaches said after beating Minnesota Detroit Free Press
Here’s what Michigan State players and coaches had to say about their 30-27 victory over Minnesota on Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium
Michigan State gets its run game going and reestablishes its identity vs. Minnesota MLive
Michigan State’s running backs came to TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday night keenly aware of their drought in 100-yard games. The Spartans hadn’t had a running back rush for 100 yards since the Ohio State game last year. In the six games since then, Michigan State’s running backs had all been held to double digits in every game.
Couch: LJ Scott can be Le’Veon Bell and carry Michigan State, if he doesn’t drop the ball Lansing State Journal
When the ball is bouncing on the turf, it’s easy to forget what LJ Scott can be. He can be Le’Veon Bell. He was Saturday night — a beautiful downhill runner, a thoroughbred at full speed in traffic, patient, powerful and quick, a master of the slight change of direction in a phone booth, keeping defenders off balance. Except for that fumble. There’s always a fumble, it seems. Bell didn’t fumble.
Three questions: Is Michigan State’s late-game defense anything to worry about? Lansing State Journal
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch answers three key questions after the Spartans’ 30-27 win Saturday night at Minnesota.