Spartans From Ohio Savor Win Over Second-Ranked Buckeyes

Nov. 22, 2015

By Steve Grinczel, MSUSpartans.com Online Columnist | @GrinzOnGreen

COLUMBUS, Ohio â€" Saturday wasn't a total loss for the state of Ohio, despite Michigan State's last-second 17-14 victory over No. 2 Ohio State.

A host of Buckeye State favorite sons won the day while helping the Spartans improve to 10-1 overall, 6-1 in the Big Ten and move to within one win of clinching the East Division Championship, including:

• Toledo junior Michael Geiger kicked the game-winning 41-yard field goal as time expired;
• Junior quarterback Tyler O'Connor, of Lima Catholic Central High School, made his first career start in place of fifth-year senior Connor Cook a successful one;
• Cook, the three-year starter and Hinckley native, excelled as a sideline adviser while resting his sprained shoulder;
• Freshman tailback LJ Scott, of Hubbard, ran for most of his 58 yards on 13 carries during MSU's final two drives. He got the Spartans out of a deep hole with a 20-yard run from the 4-yard line on their second-to-last drive and was instrumental in setting up Geiger's kick.
• Fifth-year senior fullback Trevon Pendleton, of Lucasville, tied the score at 7-all in the second quarter with a sensational 12-yard touchdown catch.

Geiger, who grew up disliking Ohio State, got extra satisfaction out kicking the first game-ending field goal of his career against his long-time nemesis.

"That's the most important kick I ever made in my entire life," he said. "I rehearsed as a kid over my swing set ever since I could kick a ball, saying, ‘This kick's to beat Ohio State, this kick's to beat Ohio State.' Being a kid who comes from Ohio, this means the world."

Before he started kicking for the Spartans, Geiger said he was representing himself, his family, his support group and those who gave him opportunities growing up.

"I'm pretty much just a glorified soccer player," Geiger said. "As you can see, I'm a little emotional. I had ice in my veins (during the kick), but I can hardly keep it together right now."

After the game, Cook presented a game ball to Geiger, who wasn't on the Buckeyes' radar as a high school prospect.

"Ohio State did not offer me, and it's personal," he said.

Geiger lined up for the decisive kick with three seconds remaining in the game, but wasn't shaken after Ohio State coach Urban Meyer called timeout in an attempt to ice him. Geiger went ahead and kicked the ball through the uprights after the whistle and appreciated the chance to get warmed up.

"I figured they'd call one timeout," he said. "To me, I think that's always an advantage and I embraced it."

Although Geiger had missed a 43-yard attempt in the second quarter, and appeared to be struggling at times while making 8-for-12 in the first 10 games, he never doubted his ability to kick in the clutch.

"I don't think my confidence ever wavered," he said. "I've gone the whole season knowing this was going to be a tight game. I had everybody telling me it was going to be a tight game. To be honest, I expected the whole season to have an opportunity (to win a game)."

O'Connor has known nothing but victory in Ohio Stadium.

"The last time I was in this stadium was for an all-star game after my senior year in high school," he said. "We got a win in that game, so I'm 2-0 in that stadium. I had so many friends and family here who were kind of just here to cheer Ohio State, but I think they all said that if I was playing they would all switch to the green side.

"It's pretty surreal right now. This is why I came to Michigan State, but little did I know it would happen right now. Michael Geiger's from Ohio, so I'm so happy for him."

O'Connor did get slightly recruited by the Buckeyes, but not to play quarterback.

"The only time they contacted me, they came to LCC to see if I would like to punt (for the Buckeyes)," said O'Connor, who has punted five times for MSU this season.

Cook, who has never hidden his disdain for Ohio State, which snubbed him as well, enjoyed the win as much as he would have had he played.

"To see (O'Connor) succeed against a top team like that, to win in Ohio, a game like this is very personal for guys like us," Cook said. "To see him go out there and get a W was just great."

The heavily recruited Scott narrowed his choices down to MSU and Ohio State before deciding to become a Spartan.

"I knew when I took my visit (to Michigan State), I felt more comfortable (there) than anywhere," he said. "It was just a huge family for me and all the coaches were always real and 100 percent with me. Throughout the whole process, they told me I had a chance to start, and it was on me if I was going to start or not or play as a true freshman.

"They definitely gave me that chance and I took advantage of it. It was very important (to beat Ohio State) but we just got to stay focused, stay humble and prepare for next week."

Pendleton evoked a line uttered by former MSU quarterback Kirk Cousins in 2011 after he led the Spartans to a fourth-straight victory over Michigan.

"We knew we were the underdogs and we knew we were counted out by a lot of people, but that doesn't have an impact on our confidence," Pendleton said. "We kind of have the motto of ‘walk the streets' around here.

"Being from Ohio, coming home you can kinda walk the streets (with pride) forever."