2008 Week 8

The #20 Michigan State Spartans had their chances against #2 Wisconsin, but in the end the better team won with the Badgers winning a smashmouth style 14-7 game.

The Spartans found out the problem with running 80% of the time, as they had two chances to tie the game late and failed to get the passing game on target.

The Spartans were able to get on the board first and last in the first half, as HB Javon Ringer ran it in from 5 yards out in the second, to give the Spartans a 7-0 lead at halftime.

The Badgers tied it up in the third on a touchdown pass to WR Isaac Anderson in the third. The Spartans would have a chance to take the lead but K Brett Swenson pulled the easy kick left, leaving us tied at 7 heading into the 4th.

In the 4th, HB P.J. Hill finally broke out of a deep slumber with a 71 yard run up the middle from his own 18, but at the very end FS Otis Wiley made a tremendous strip, knocking the ball loose. SS Tom Dance would recover, and we stayed tied at 7.

The Spartans were unable to score, and finally the Badgers took the lead on another touchdown pass to Anderson with just 2:51 remaining.

The Spartans went three and out, and after a shanked punt the Badgers started on the Spartans' 40 yard line. As they drove closer to the endzone the game was all but over, until QB Allan Evridge coughed up the ball, giving the Spartans one last desperation chance with a minute remaining.

The Spartans drove to midfield with 35 seconds left, when on 1st down the Badgers sent a heavy blitz up the middle. QB Brian Hoyer took a step back, panicked and lofted it up over the middle to TE Charlie Gannt. SS Quincy Landingham was parked in his zone, read the duck, and picked it off ending the game.

The Spartans defense did an outstanding job holding the Badgers to just 274 yards total offense, but unfortunately their own offense was only able to generate 202 yards.

HB Javon Ringer had an outstanding game, rushing 26 times for 124 yards and a score.