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We’re taking our first trip down the 2014 season in the top 25 today. Come join us!
Miss any of the previous top 100? Give this link the ol’ click to catch up.
Off to the recap...
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Win No. 23
Oct. 4, 2014: No. 10 MSU 27, No. 19 Nebraska 22
You might not remember this game immediately. Once we start getting into it, you’ll remember how your heart rate felt at the end of the game.
Who knows — maybe your heart is still trying to get back to its normal bpm.
Well, let’s relive it.
How They Won
Undefeated No. 19 Nebraska marched into Spartan Stadium against No. 10 MSU looking to avenge the 2013 loss in Lincoln.
You probably know by now, it didn’t happen like that. And, really, it started off great for MSU who took a 17-0 lead into halftime.
And if you thought that was good, you would have been feeling REALLY great heading into the fourth quarter with a 27-3 lead. I mean, the beatdown was officially ON.
Well...about that. Nebraska scored one touchdown in the fourth quarter. Then another. THEN OH MY GOD NOT ANOTHER ONE!?! (yes, they scored another one)
It got even hairier to end the game as the Cornhuskers had a drive that got Spartan nation on their feet — for the wrong reason. However, with Nebraska driving into MSU territory, Trae Waynes put the fire out with a huge interception with thirty seconds left.
Alright, enough of the scary stuff.
Tony Lippett was the stud of the game on offense, reeling in 103 receiving yards and a touchdown to go with a 32-yard touchdown run. Not too shabby of a night.
Waynes also didn’t just have the one game-sealing interception — he also picked off Tommy Armstrong in the first quarter for his second career two-pick game.
The rest of the defense didn’t just slouch around either as five sacks were delivered to Armstrong’s office which. On the other hand, Connor Cook didn’t go down with a sack all day.
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What this win meant
The Spartans were dealt an early loss at Marcus Mariota-ville, and this was the first big one since that loss. Unless you consider Eastern Michigan and Wyoming big opponents.
MSU hit the ground running in Big Ten play with this one, and while it didn’t pan out in the end, a win like this is what separates them from New Years Six Bowl to Just Another Bowl.
And, of course, any top 25 win is a good win. Even when you have to sweat through your shirt to watch it.