(8) Michigan State Routs Jacksonville State In 45-7 Blowout

Connor Cook led the Michigan State Spartans to an easy 45-7 win over Jacksonville State last night in East Lansing.

Cook threw three touchdown passes in the first quarter of the Friday night blowout, including a nice 64-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tony Lippett. There was a heart-stopping moment during the play as Jacksonville’s Folo Johnson dove in and landed a hit right around Cook’s left knee, creating a cloud of concern over coach Mark Dantonio’s head.

“That looked pretty ugly out there, but he rebounded after that, and he went right back in the football game,” Dantonio said. “I’m pretty sure he’s fine, based on how he played.”

Cook himself admitted to being slightly rattled by the hit, but shrugged it off and pushed on for the rest of the half. He was able to bounce back on the following play, throwing a 71-yard bomb to Lippett and then a 17-yard pass to A.J. Troup, bringing the score to 21-0 .

The young junior completed his first few passes early in the game, going 9 for 9 for 257 yards and sat the second half out, finishing 12 of 13 for 285 yards. By halftime, the Spartans were up 38-0. Backup QB Tyler O’Connor scored the final touchdown with a three-yard run in the third quarter to bring the final score to 45-7.

Tony Lippett had four catches for 167 yards, a career high for the fifth-year senior.

Jacksonville State scored its only touchdown early in the third quarter, the first touchdown Michigan State had allowed at home since October 12. The Gamecocks are considered to be a top team in the Football Championship Subdivision, but they were no match for the Spartans during their season opener at home.

This season is beginning to unfold much differently than the previous for the Spartans. Only a year ago, they were unsure who their starting quarterback would be and their offense was in shambles for the first few weeks of the season. However, Cook became more comfortable stepping into the starting role as the season went on, and is now able to run the offense smoothly and relieve Michigan State’s stellar defense of some of the pressure.

The Spartans head westward for week 2 for an exciting non-conference matchup against No. 3 Oregon.

 

*Section Photo credit to Andrew Weber, USA Today Sports; Featured Photo (above) credit to Mike Carter, USA Today Sports

 

(7) UCLA Squeaks By Virginia
(7) UCLA Squeaks By Virginia