The Game: NU at Michigan State "Obliterating Sparty"
Dateline: October 22, 2005
Ranking: 22 (of 24)
The Setup: Sparty was 4-2 and ranked #22 in the country. NU was looking for their 3rd straight Big Ten win and prove they were for real despite the heartbreaking home opener to the resurgent Penn State JoePas. It was an 11 am ESPN2 game and promised a whole lot of, ahem, offensive fireworks (couldn't resist - happy 4th!) and not a lot of "D". MSU was 3rd in the nation in total offense (1st Big Ten) while the Cats were 4th in the nation in total offense (2nd Big Ten). And of course, it was homecoming (I lament the last hurdle in respectability is finally getting off the homecoming schedules of Big Ten opponents).
The Game: An inauspicious beginning - MSU marched 75 yards for a TD on their first drive - was definitely not an indication of things to come. Basanez had a monster day, throwing for 331 yards, 2 TD passes and 2 TD runs as part of 533 total yards of offense. Tyrell Sutton had an "oh-by-the-way" 109 rushing yards. The Cats led at half 21-7 and proceeded to crush Sparty 49-14.
Indelible Moment: Demetrius Eaton rumbling, stumbling and scream for oxygen 86-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.
You Bleed Purple If...:You're still pissed at Drew Stanton for his cheap shot, helmet-to-knee tackle of Brendan Smith at the 37 on an end zone pick runback.
Why it Ranks: Could have easily picked another MSU win at Ryan field - the 1997 blocked FG game - but in retrospect, this game actually meant something. Big Ten road game blowouts are far and few between and this one was a confidence builder that helped the mojo down the stretch en route to a Sun Bowl berth against UCLA.
Lasting Legacy: This one was symbolic of the Basanez-era "just find a way to win" mentality. NU's horrific "D" coughed up 480 yards and still beat a legit Big Ten team by 35. As Bleeding Purple's staff grows due to your ever increasing loyalty, I'll be able to have some crack statician point-out how rare this accomplishtment actually is. Until then, you'll have to deal with the fact that it was this stat that made it a Top 24 no brainer.
Happy 4th!
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