Pasadena, Ca- The big physical #5 Stanford Cardinal (11-3) was no match for the #4 Michigan State Spartans (13-1) in the second half of a 24-20 loss. It all came down to one play, Stanford with the ball 1:36 left on clock needing 1 yard on 4th down to get an additional four plays. That’s when 6’4 245 fullback #85 Ryan Hewitt had his first carry of day get stopped cold down low #45 Darien Harris, #89 Shilique Calhoun & by a flying linebacker #41 Kyler Elsworth to finish the job. That Cardinal tree chopping was heard all they back in East Lansing as the Spartans smelled the sweet victory of the 100th Rose Bowl.
Michigan State showed they could take a punch and keep fighting after trailing 10-0 at end of 1st quarter. All seemed to be going right for Stanford but with a blue collar work ethic of State, they came charging back strong with 14 point in 2nd quarter. Offensive’s MVP quarterback #18 Connor Cook who threw for 332 yards with 2 touchdowns lead his team with poise and confidence. Cook shook off a 2nd quarter interception that was Stanford last touchdown of the game leading 17-7 with 2:06 left before half. The next series the Spartans marched down the field 75 yards in 7 plays in one minute thirty nine seconds, ending with 2 yard touchdown pass to State’s fullback #37 Trevon Pendleton making it 17-14 at the half. Even being down by three points at the half, Michigan State still had all the momentum.
The star senior running backs for both teams were the big storyline coming into the game and help their teams but pretty much ended in a draw in the stat line. Stanford #25 Tyler Gaffney had 91 yards on 24 carries with 1st quarter touchdown, Michigan State #33 Jeremy Langford had 84 yards on 23 carries and 2nd quarter touchdown. The pass and defense was difference maker when clock ticked zero. After the game the Michigan State Defensive Back all held a banner that said, “No Fly Zone” This crew was able to hold Stanford’s Kevin Hogan to 10 for 18, 143 yards, and interception.
The Centennial Rose Bowl lived up to its name of The Grand Daddy of them all. The Big Ten took home the green roses with its key stops and scoring plays that made Michigan State looked smart for signing Mark Dantonio to an extension. The report says Dantonio stands to be highest paid Big Ten coach over Ohio State Urban Myers 4.6 million. So look for State to be well coached for the upcoming seasons and to defend it Rose Bowl title well in 2014 season.
