clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Linked Up: Looking at Ohio State's recent wins in East Lansing

Kirk Irwin - Getty Images

One of the biggest Big Ten games of the season takes place in East Lansing this weekend when the Buckeyes come to town.

MSU broke a long losing streak against Ohio State last year with a win in Columbus, but the Spartans haven't downed the Bucks in East Lansing since 1999. The most recent visits have been blowouts — the latest coming in 2008.

So what are the keys to another Ohio State win? Our sister blog, Land-Grant Holy Land took at look at OSU's recent wins at Spartan Stadium to find them.

In 2004, Ohio State was facing a transition year, losing starting quarterback Craig Krenzel to graduation. Coach Tressel tabbed Justin Zwick as the starter for the beginning of the season, but Zwick suffered a shoulder separation injury in a gruesome October loss at Iowa, opening the door for Troy Smith to become the starter.

[...]

Well, with Smith maturing into the starting quarterback position, Ohio State needed someone else on the team to serve as a spark to get Ohio State back on a winning track.

Enter Ted Ginn, Jr. Ginn had begun making plays as a true freshman, but the game at Michigan State truly seemed to show off his abilities. Check out this punt return that played a big part in Ohio State's 2004 victory over Michigan State, 32-19.

Check out the whole story here. (Sorry for the bad memories)