Badgers lose in overtime to Michigan State
EAST LANSING, MI, (CBS 58) -- The Badgers lose on the road to Michigan State.
Both teams are on similar trajectories this season. The Spartans have former Badgers running back Jalen Berger, who transferred to Michigan State this season.
First Quarter:
The Badgers are in a limited tight end room right now after some key injuries over the past few games -- so much that offensive guard Tyler Beach was the team's third tight end for the day, switching jersey numbers to 46.
The Spartans went three-and-out on their first drive. Once the Badgers took over, they had some key first downs, including a Braelon Allen run and a Chimere Dike red zone catch. Shortly after, Allen ran it in for a one-yard touchdown. After the PAT, it was 7-0 Badgers.
Once the Spartans took over, they moved the ball efficiently for multiple first-down plays. They were near the red zone and started to slow down a bit. Michigan State was on a fourth-and-goal play where they went for it. The Spartans are 7 for 13 on fourth down conversions this season. That ranks 7th in the Big Ten. They were unable to convert on this one. They are now 7 for 14.
The Badgers took over in tough field position. It didn't take long before Graham Mertz threw an interception. Shortly after, Jalen Berger ran it in for six against his former teammates. After the PAT, we were tied 7-7.
After the first quarter, it was a 7-7 game.
Second Quarter:
On their next offensive drive, the Badgers started to open up the playbook a bit more, including a nice contested catch by Keontez Lewis. Shortly after, Allen scored his 19th career touchdown. After the PAT, it was 14-7 Badgers.
Much of the second quarter was fairly quiet for both teams. With just under seven minutes to go in the quarter, Michigan State was penalized for the sixth time today. That was a targeting call by Michigan State's defensive end Michael Fletcher. He was ejected from the game. The Spartans have averaged five penalties per game this season. Today, they were over that.
At halftime, it was 14-7 Badgers.
Third Quarter:
Within the first few plays of the second half, Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed returned one for a touchdown that was called back on an illegal block in the back on the Spartans.
Much of this game was all defense. Michigan State couldn't get the ball moving and the Badgers took over. Once the Badgers took over, they were not much better. Mertz was getting heavy pressure and was unable to create any big gains. However, on that drive, Allen surpassed 2,000 rushing yards. He joins an illustrious group of Badgers for the fewest games to get to 2,000 yards with 19. Ron Dayne leads it with just 13 games. Jonathan Taylor, another recent and notable name, did it in 15 games.
However, the Badgers couldn't respond after that drive. Michigan State took over. On their drive, they had a big 72-yard gain by Purdue transfer Maliq Carr. Shortly after, the Spartans scored on a one-yard run by Elijah Collins. After the PAT, we were tied 14-14.
After the third quarter, we were tied 14-14.
Fourth Quarter:
Much of the fourth quarter was a defensive battle for both teams. However, about halfway through the quarter, Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne threw a touchdown pass to Keon Coleman. After the PAT, it was 21-14 Michigan State.
Shortly after, when the Badgers took over, their offensive momentum started to come back after some key first-down plays by Allen and Skyler Bell. However, once they were in the red zone, they struggled, but were able to score on a pass to Lewis on fourth down. After the PAT, it was tied 21-21.
After regulation, we remained tied and headed to overtime.
Overtime:
It didn't take long for the Spartans. They scored on the first play on a touchdown pass to Coleman. After the PAT, it was 28-21 Michigan State.
The Badgers responded quickly with a touchdown pass to Dike. After the PAT, we were tied again 28-28.
The Badgers fumbled on their first play and the Spartans took over.
On that drive, the Spartans closed the game with a touchdown pass to Reed.
The Badgers head back home next week to take on Purdue.