Saturday night's game against Wisconsin did not get off to a good start for Michigan State. Just like last week, the Spartans gave up a long touchdown drive to start the game. Then, unlike last week, they responded by turning the ball over and giving up another touchdown. The slow start has put them in a 14-0 hole after 15 minutes of play in East Lansing.
The first scoring drive for Wisconsin was pretty simple: run the ball right down MSU's throats. Wisconsin ran Montee Ball four straight times to start the game, and after pounding the Spartans' defensive line, the Badgers found themselves inside the 10-yard line. On third-and-four, Russell Wilson got involved with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Pedersen, who was all by himself on a wheel route.
Looking to bounce back, Michigan State shot itself in the foot instead. Edwin Baker fumbled the ball away to Wisconsin on the only play of the ensuing drive, and Wisconsin scored another touchdown three plays later on a nine-yard run by Ball.
Michigan State managed to move the chains on its next drive, but it stalled after a pair of Baker runs went for negative yardage. Wisconsin couldn't capitalize and make this a three-score game, though. Wilson was picked off by Trenton Robinson, and Michigan State now has a chance to get back into this game.