What Game Did Michigan State Lose?
The Michigan State Spartans have a long and proud tradition of athletic excellence. The Spartans have won numerous championships in various sports and have had some of the best individual athletes in the nation. But, like any team, they have also had their share of losses. In this article, we’ll take a look at one of the most memorable losses in recent memory – the 2014 Orange Bowl game against Stanford.
History of Michigan State Football
Michigan State football has been a powerhouse in the Big Ten for many years. The Spartans have made multiple appearances in national championship games, and have won two national titles in the modern era (1952 and 1965). They have also won three Big Ten titles in the past decade, with their last coming in 2010. The Spartans are also known for their strong defensive play and have been ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense in seven of the last nine seasons.
2014 Orange Bowl Game
The 2014 Orange Bowl game was a matchup between the Spartans and the Stanford Cardinal. Michigan State was looking to win their first BCS bowl game in school history, while Stanford was looking for its second straight BCS bowl victory. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with the score being tied at 24-24 at the end of regulation. Stanford eventually won in overtime, 27-23, to clinch their second straight BCS bowl victory.
Michigan State’s Performance
Michigan State played well in the 2014 Orange Bowl game. Quarterback Connor Cook led a balanced offensive attack, completing 19-of-39 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jeremy Langford rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown, and wide receiver Tony Lippett had six receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown. The Spartans defense held Stanford to just 248 total yards, but could not contain quarterback Kevin Hogan, who had 285 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Team Leaders
The Spartans team leaders in the 2014 Orange Bowl game were quarterback Connor Cook, running back Jeremy Langford, and wide receiver Tony Lippett. Cook led the offense with 343 passing yards and two touchdowns. Langford had 84 rushing yards and a touchdown, and Lippett had six receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown. On defense, linebacker Max Bullough led the team in tackles with seven, and defensive back Kurtis Drummond had two interceptions.
Stanford’s Performance
Stanford was led by quarterback Kevin Hogan, who had 285 passing yards and three touchdowns in the 2014 Orange Bowl game. Running back Tyler Gaffney had 70 rushing yards and a touchdown, and wide receiver Ty Montgomery had six receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown. On defense, linebacker Shayne Skov had nine tackles and two sacks, and safety Jordan Richards had one interception.
Aftermath
The loss to Stanford was a crushing one for Michigan State, as they had a chance to win their first BCS bowl game in school history. The Spartans would go on to finish the 2014 season with a 10-3 record, but the loss to Stanford would haunt them, as they would not make another BCS bowl appearance until the 2018 season.
The Impact of the Loss
The loss to Stanford in the 2014 Orange Bowl game had a profound impact on the Michigan State football program. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season and it showed that the Spartans still had a lot of work to do if they wanted to compete at the highest level. The loss put a damper on the team’s morale, and it would take several years for the Spartans to fully recover.
Lessons Learned
The loss to Stanford in the 2014 Orange Bowl game was a difficult one for Michigan State, but it was also an important learning experience. The Spartans learned that even the best teams can have bad days, and that they needed to continue to work hard and strive for excellence if they wanted to reach the highest level of success. It also showed that the team needed to be better prepared for big games if they wanted to have a chance at winning them.
Conclusion
The Michigan State Spartans lost an important game in the 2014 Orange Bowl, but they learned valuable lessons in the process. The loss showed the team that they needed to continue to work hard and strive for excellence if they wanted to compete at the highest level. They also learned that they needed to be better prepared for big games if they wanted to have a chance at winning them. The loss was a difficult one, but it ultimately helped the Spartans become the successful program they are today.
Michigan State Spartans, Orange Bowl, 2014, Connor Cook, Jeremy Langford, Tony Lippett, Max Bullough, Kurtis Drummond, Stanford Cardinal, Kevin Hogan, Tyler Gaffney, Ty Montgomery, Shayne Skov, Jordan Richards, BCS Bowl