By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
EAST LANSING – A fast start didn't lead to a victory for Michigan State in its final home game of the season on Saturday.
A blocked punt for a touchdown and a safety in the first quarter led to a 9-0 lead for the Spartans against visiting Minnesota. The Golden Gophers then scored the next 17 points on their way to a 31-18 victory.
Minnesota scored with its offense, its defense and special teams during the 17-point second quarter.
Jay Thomas scored on a 3-yard run, while Steve Davis returned a fumble 48-yards to give the Gophers a 10-9 lead.
Jason Giannini tacked on a 41-yard field goal to complete the first half scoring.
Michigan State (4-7, 1-6 Big Ten) looked good out of the box as it blocked a punt, which was recovered for a touchdown by Kiel Beltinck.
On the next drive, the Spartans defense came up big again, this time with a tackle in the end zone by Clifton Ryan for the safety.
The Spartans came out of the halftime locker room and cut the lead to 17-12 on a Brett Swenson 33-yard field goal.
Minnesota extended its lead to 24-12 with the first of two Bryan Cupito touchdown passes. Cupito became the all-time leader for Minnesota in the passing department during the game.
Minnesota (5-6, 2-5 Big Ten) upped its lead to 31-12 on Cupito's second touchdown pass before the Spartans closed the gap to 13 points on a Brian Hoyer to Matt Trannon 26-yard touchdown pass.
"First of all, I just want to say that I feel bad for our seniors," Michigan State coach John L. Smith said."I went around and hugged every one of them. We are going to finish this thing up with class, we are going to do the right things, we are going to respect our teammates, and we are going to continue to play because we have one week to go. Most of all, I feel bad that the seniors weren't able to get out of here with a win in their last game. I am not going to talk much about the game, except that we had plenty of chances and we couldn't convert. That has really been the story of our season."
Minnesota coach Glen Mason had plenty to say.
"First of all, I'm very pleased that we're going to go home victorious from here, and what I think makes that a lot more rewarding, is how we started that game – self destructive," he said. "I don't mean to take anything away from Michigan State because they made some plays there, to have a punt block, which is atypical of us, and then go for a fake punt, which is not atypical of me. But that's what happens when you gamble, its not always going to work out.
"Then our defense stopped them on a fourth down on the goal line, and then we turned around and had a safety, and it was the start of one of those things," Mason continued. "Obviously, Michigan State had the momentum going their way, and when someone else has the momentum they aren't going to give it to you, you've got to get it back and you've got to do something special. A couple of turnovers forced by our defense, and Michigan State enabled us to get it back, and once we got rolling we pretty much had control of the game."
The Gophers gained 365 yards in total offense, led by Cupito's 330 yards passing. The senior signal caller was 16-of-28 with a pair of touchdowns. Amir Pinnix rushed for 121 yards.
Michigan State finished with 344 yards in total offense.
Hoyer threw for 330 yards after replacing Drew Stanton, who was injured late in the first quarter. Hoyer was 26-of-50 with a pair of interceptions.
"Drew is one of our seniors and you wish that (the hit) wouldn't have happened, but thank God he was ok and was only dinged," Smith said. "The entire helmet was crushed, and the official came over and said he didn't even know what had happened. But, Drew is a special young man as all of you know, and he is going to have a bright future. He is in graduate school and has already graduated, and he is going to have a chance to play on Sundays. I am just going to give him a kiss and a hug, and send him on his way. He is going to be just fine."
The loss means that Michigan State will not be bowl eligible for the third straight season. The win kept Minnesota's hopes of earning a bowl birth alive.
The Spartans will wrap up the season on the road this Saturday against Penn State.
Minnesota 0 17 7 7 – 31
Michigan State 9 0 3 6 – 18
MSU – Beltinck, Kiel blocked punt return (Swenson, Brett kick)
MSU – Ryan, Clifton safety
MINN – Thomas, Jay 3 run (Giannini, Jason kick)
MINN – Davis, Steve 48 fumble recovery (Giannini kick)
MINN – Giannini 41 field goal
MSU – Swenson 33 field goal
MINN – Wheelwright, E. 37 pass from Cupito, Bryan (Giannini kick)
MINN – Payne, Logan 41 pass from Cupito (Giannini kick)
MSU – Trannon, Matt 26 pass from Hoyer, Brian (pass failed)