Michigan State University
Ohio State
Michigan State Falls to Ohio State, 32-19
11/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 6, 2004
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes
By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Ted Ginn had three touchdowns and Ohio State rallied by scoring the last 15 points in a 32-19 victory over Michigan State on Saturday.
Ginn caught four passes for 77 yards, including a 58-yard reception with 1:37 left, in a game of scoring streaks. He also ran for a 17-yard TD on a reverse and scored on a 60-yard punt return. He set a school record with his third punt return for a score and tied Ohio State's career mark.
A.J. Hawk's diving interception at midfield with 45 seconds remaining sealed the outcome for the Buckeyes (6-3, 2-4 Big Ten) and made them bowl eligible. Maurice Hall scored on a 51-yard run with 25 seconds left.
Perhaps more than any team, the Spartans (4-5, 3-3) know 17-point margins are not safe. Dave Rayner's 29-yard field goal gave Michigan State a 19-17 lead with 3:06 left after trailing Ohio State by 17. Last week, the Spartans blew a 27-10 fourth-quarter lead in a triple-overtime loss at Michigan.
After Rayner's fourth field goal, Troy Smith connected with Ginn on a short pass over the middle and the speedy receiver sprinted for the go-ahead TD.
The Spartans had a chance to come back again, but Hawk's catch along the sideline handed them their second straight demoralizing loss and hurt their chances of playing in a bowl. Because Michigan State has 12 scheduled games, it has to beat Wisconsin and win on the road against Penn State and Hawaii to earn a bowl bid.
Ohio State's Troy Smith was 13-of-21 for 138 yards and a TD. Hall ran for 83 yards and a TD on 11 carries. Playing for Drew Stanton, out with a separated shoulder, Damon Dowdell was 29-of-46 for 262 yards with a TD and three interceptions.
The Buckeyes were ahead 17-0 with 2:50 left in the first quarter after Ginn scored two TDs - on a punt return and a reverse - in 88 seconds midway through the quarter and Mike Nugent made a 53-yard field goal.
Just when it seemed as if the Spartans were still thinking about the agonizing defeat, they came back.
On the ensuing drive, Dowdell's 8-yard pass to Jerramy Scott capped a 15-play, 86-yard possession. Rayner's 27-yard kick on the next drive and 44-yard field goal late in the second quarter made it 17-13.
After Lydell Ross fumbled in the third quarter, Rayner's 53-yard kick pulled Michigan State within a point. The field goal also broke John Langeloh's school record for points and field goals.
