2007 Week 17

How did that story go, again? The tortoise starts off slow, taking his time, while the Hare gets out to an early lead and then goofs off?

The Maryland Terapins might need to check their identification cards, after an embarrasing 28-27 loss to the Michigan State Spartans in the Champs Sports Bowl.

"Unbelievable, unbelievable, unbelivable," stated Dr. P.

Unbelievable is the only word you can use to describe this one.

You give up 200+ yards rushing, turn the ball over 8 times (6 more than your opponent), don't force any sacks or interceptions, and you... win? That's exactly what happened to the Spartans today, who will gladly take the miraculous victory.

Down 27-14 with four minutes left, HB Javon Ringer was able to pound it in to the endzone to make it 27-21. Then, Maryland drove it down the field, wasting away the clock, and missed a 42 yard field goal leaving the door open.

One problem, though. QB Brian Hoyer was out with an injury at this point, and it was up to backup QB Connor Dixon to lead the team nearly 70 yards with just over a minute left. After a miraculous 39 yard pass to T.J. Williams put the Spartans inside the 30, they were able to slowly inch their way inside the 10 yard line.

From the six, and 25 seconds remaining, the Spartans decided to use Dixon's speed to their advantage. They ran a speed option left, and Dixon was met in the backfield by a Terapin defender. At the last second he pitched the ball out to the left, where HB Javon Ringer caught it, and beat everyone to the corner of the endzone for the game winning six yard touchdown.

QB Brian Hoyer threw five interceptions, while Dixon added a sixth. EIGHT turnovers in total compared to the Terapins two, yet they still won.

Impact HB Keon Lattimore ran for 183 yards for the Terps, and it was all for nothing.

For the Spartans, Ringer ran for 81 yards and had three scores, while TE Kellen Davis had 9 receptions for 134 yards.