Typically, TOC publishes an article immediately after a game with a full recap of the action. Yesterday I made the decision not to do it. I had an internal debate about whether the entire action needed to be replayed or if I should just get to the big talking point of the game. I’m going with the latter.
MSU used a strong third quarter to take a 17-7 lead into the final 15 minutes. Iowa got a field goal early in the quarter to pull within a Spartans touchdown. From there, the next five drives combined for a total of 15 yards, two of those drives going backwards. On the last of those drives, after getting the ball up 7 with 3:32 left, MSU spent 1:08 of the game clock losing five yards and punting back to Iowa. Ryan Eckley’s 54-yard punt was returned 40 yards, setting up the Hawkeyes at the MSU 42.
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With 2:22 left, Iowa also used 1:08 on their drive, except they chose the forward route, using five plays to go 42 yards for a game-tying touchdown. And now this is where it gets stupid. Michigan State got the ball back with 1:29. From their 25, MSU racked up 12 yards and then 8 on consecutive completions, putting them at second and second at the 45. Then a run was shut down for no gain, forcing MSU to use a timeout, and then Alessio threw an incomplete pass to put the Spartans on fourth and second with 41 seconds left.
Now, just to remind you, MSU had a 3-7 record at this point and hadn’t won a game since September. They weren’t going to risk their bowl eligibility or anything else if they lost again. On the other hand, they had a chance to ruin Senior Day at Iowa. Needing two yards, when they had been averaging three yards per rush during the game and with several receiving weapons, Coach Smith decided to punt.
You know the rest of the story. Iowa started in 21st place with 34 seconds left. They had completions of 19, 6 and 29 yards to reach the MSU 25-yard line. They rushed once to burn the rest of the clock before calling a timeout with a few ticks, then kicked the winning FG as time expired.
Now back to the decision to punt on MSU’s final possession. BECAUSE? WHY ARE YOU F@¢{ING SCORE? WHY NOT TRY TO WIN? This should be the nail in Coach Smith’s coffin at MSU. That was all that was wrong with this program during the two years under his leadership. Gutsless. Without emotion. He doesn’t care about his players. Haven’t won a game in two months and are happy to settle for trying to make it to overtime? An absolutely cowardly move. I’m still angry about it 12 hours later.
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I’ll be at the game next week in Detroit and I plan to ask him at the press conference about that decision. I’m not sure if I can ask questions about a previous game, but I don’t care. He needs to be called out for that nonsense.
I know some of you have been making logical arguments as to why Smith will stay at MSU (mainly dealing with the financial situation), but it wouldn’t be logical to keep a coach who is so illogical in leading this team. He has to go. Feel free to disagree in the comments if you’re still in favor of him staying. I am angry and I am ready to argue with you.
Oh, and don’t forget to watch our women’s soccer team in the round of 16 today at 1 pm on ESPN+ (at least have it on your second screen if you’re watching the Lions or whoever your NFL team is at the time).