Spartans, Geiger end Buckeyes’ streak
Field goal on last play stops Ohio State’s run at 23 games, scrambles playoff picture.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The last place Michael Geiger, all 5 feet 8 and 185 pounds of him, wanted to end up was at the bottom of a pile of Michigan State football players.
The junior kicker booted a 41-yard field goal as time expired and then sprinted away from a swarm of celebrating Spartans after No. 9 Michigan State upset No. 2 Ohio State, 17-14, on Saturday to end the Buckeyes’ 23game winning streak.
Geiger recalled what happened the last time Michigan State won a huge game on the final play of regulation.
“I didn’t want to pull a Jalen Watts-Jackson,” Geiger said, referring to his teammate who ended up with a broken hip after returning a botched punt for a touchdown to beat Michigan in October. “I was trying to stay on my feet as long as possible.”
Playing without injured star quarterback Connor Cook on a rainy, windy day at Ohio Stadium, the Spartans (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten) took control of the Big Ten East Division, barged into the thick of the College Football Playoff hunt and very likely ended Ohio State’s chances to repeat as national champion.
“We know how to win,” Coach Mark Dantonio said.
With a victory next week at home against Penn State, the Spartans will clinch a spot in the Big Ten championship game. The last time Michigan State beat Ohio State was in the 2013 Big Ten title game; that result broke a 24-game winning streak by the Buckeyes and kept them out of the BCS title game. This time they put Ohio State’s playoff hopes in critical condition, along with, perhaps, its team unity.
After the game junior tailback Ezekiel Elliott questioned the play calling and said this would be his last home game as a Buckeye.
“I mean there’s no chance of me coming back next year. I got to make the most of my time left,” said Elliott, who ran 12 times for 33 yards and the game’s first touchdown. His streak of 100-yard rushing games ended at 15.
Ohio State plays at Michigan next week. As far as the postseason goes, it’s likely the best the Buckeyes will be able to do is the Rose Bowl.