The Michigan State Spartans, ranked #25 in the AP Top 25 Poll came into Ohio Stadium with one thought in mind. Knock off the #4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. MSU Coach Mark Dantonio knows how it can be done. He and his MSU squad had done it before and certainly believed it could be done again. And, with only a three point deficit after the first quarter, Michigan State, with their much vaunted and respected defense, had to feel that they could keep things tight. Then, Ohio State stumbled on capitalizing on turnovers. Third down conversions didn’t gel. Michigan State played their patented tough-as-nails Spartan “D”. However, the Spartan offense struggled to get a foothold against a Buckeye defense that is extremely stingy in their own right. In fact, OSU defensive line coach Larry Johnson has been cranking out a ton of talent lately. Past stars Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa Sam Hubbard, and now Chase Young are all members or former members of Johnson’s “rushmen” crew. If you can’t find ways to score on these guys, it’s just a matter of time before the Ohio State offense, loaded with the speed and size that can strike at almost anytime, will put up enough points to win the contest.
Following the game, Buckeye Head Coach Ryan Day presented the Buckeyes’ head strength and conditioning Coach Mickey Marotti with the game ball stating that “he’s the guy this whole thing is built upon. He’s the backbone…. the blood that runs through this whole program. And to say that we’re tough, it’s because of him and his strength staff and all the work that they put in with these (Buckeyes)”.
Congratulations to Coach Mick on this honor!
Stephen Macala, Committee Chair of The Rose Bowl, was on hand to present former Buckeye All-America quarterback Cornelius Greene with a trophy to acknowledge his induction into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame
Newly inducted Rose Bowl Hall of Fame OSU Buckeye star Cornelius Greene #7 pictured with Ohio State’s two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin during a first half moment of congratulations to a crowd of 104,797 in attendance. (photo is ABC-TV screenshot)
and, here they are back in the day!