The Michigan State Spartans had a real chance against the Ohio State Buckeyes entering the fourth quarter, but things got away from them very quickly.
It started at the end of the third, with the Spartans down 7-6 but pinned at their own one. Instead of risking a punt, Michigan State appeared to intentionally take a safety to make it 9-6 but at least give themselves a chance to set field position up more favorably.
Michigan State just did something we've never seen before pic.twitter.com/w092XLifFR
— SB Nation (@SBNation) November 10, 2018
The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, so the move backfired from that perspective. Still, the Spartan defense got out of bounds, but Ohio State’s special teams continued to dominate, pinning Michigan State at the two-yard line with another great punt.
On the very first play from scrimmage, things went from bad to worse for Michigan State.
.@OhioStateFB recovers the fumble in the end zone for a TD pic.twitter.com/cPJbrt9fQS
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 10, 2018
Amazingly, the Spartans weren’t done, as quarterback Rocky Lombardi fumbled on the first play of the next possession, turning the ball over again. It was, essentially, three turnovers in as many plays.
The guess here is that this wasn’t quite in the scouting report Dwayne Haskins got about this game. He’ll take it all the same, as the Spartans have put in one of the most brutal offensive performances of the season.
