Michigan State loses in upset to Nebraska 39-38

Bryn Forbes led Michigan State with 23 points, while Denzel Valentine posted a triple-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. The No. 7 Michigan State Spartans will take their undefeated record to Lincoln, Neb. London started the first six games but when an injury sidelined him at Rutgers, junior Delton Williams took off the redshirt and entered the picture out of necessity.

Linebacker Darien Harris said the officiating didn’t cost the Spartans the game.

But the game between Ohio State and Michigan State will still be significant. Like we mentioned above, there will be plenty of playoff hopes on the line when Ohio State clashes with Michigan State, but the Spartans can still win the Big Ten East title by winning out, including a win over the Buckeyes.

Nebraska’s win improves the Huskers to 4-6 on the season. But streaks are – apparently sometimes – meant to be broken.

Starting at his own 9, Armstrong hit Jordan Westerkamp for passes of 28 and 33 yards. But Geiger never got that shot.

The Michigan State defense, while not spectacular, seems to know just when it must go to work. He completed 28-of-48 passes for 407 yards. A few of Tommy Armstrong’s passes were 50/50 balls (like his second to last one) that could have been picked off, and then there was that 0/100 pass that he aimed right at Riley Bullough in the third quarter.

Huskers started out the third quarter strong, with a drive resulting in a Imani Cross 1-yard touchdown run – but the steely Spartans quieted the Sea of Red on the ensuing drive, capped by Aaron Burbridge’s 33-yard touchdown pass. Their quarterback, Connor Cook, is positioning himself well for a future pro career, throwing for 398 yards and four touchdowns last week.

Nebraska countered with a solid drive, but Armstrong threw an interception in Spartan territory.

Armstrong marched the Cornhuskers down the field, adding a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:47 remaining to cut the score to 38-33. A quick three and out by the Spartans led to a memorable moment for the crowd in Memorial Stadium. He ran for two touchdowns and passed for two. The touchdown stood after the ruling that cornerback Jermaine Edmunson had forced Hukser wide receiver Brandon Reilly out of bounds could not be reviewed. MSU had one last chance, but a Cook pass fell out of bounds as the clock expired.

Gerald Holmes led the offense in rushing with 22 carries for 117 yards and a score.

With two minutes to play, the Huskers trailed 38-26. – Chris Swain ran for 108 yards and three touchdowns as Navy (7-1) handed Memphis (8-1) its first loss in 15 games.

“We still control our own destiny”, said Dantonio according to MSUSpartans.com. (Or in my defense, on the Alonzo Moore pass interference penalty either.) Sparty fan has a point…but Michigan State certainly had their opportunities to seal this victory. The MSU vs Maryland game has been announced as a noon kickoff, to be televised by ESPN2.