Urban Meyer and his Buckeyes went into East Lansing and walked away with the sweetest of prizes: a November road win in the Big Ten. That the Spartans were ranked this week is only a bonus.
Ohio State's defense, Michigan State mistakes and punter Drue Chrisman conspired hand the Buckeyes a 26-6 win over the Spartans, holding Michigan State to their fewest points of the season.
These 13 GIFs tell the story of that win.
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On just the fourth play of the game, Michigan State caught a break with this generous spot of a Brian Lewerke sneak on 4th-and-1. The Spartans would punt three plays later, but interior of Ohio State's defense, playing largely without long sleeves, proved that they were there to play in the chilly conditions.
Chrisman's first punt of the game, coming early in the first quarter was one he'd like to quickly forget. The punt, which traveled just four yards, is believed to be the shortest in Ohio State history. Former punter Jon Thoma couldn't help but celebrate having his old record erased.
Safety Brendon White got his first start of the season and his run stopping instincts remain top notch. Here he is blowing up a Michigan State reverse early in the game. White would finish with five tackles on the day, though this one, as pretty as it was, would not count as one of them.
Is this Dwayne Haskins finest run of the season? We think it is! Unfortunately, the run was called back due to a penalty, but maybe the quarterback heard some of the chatter about him playing afraid to get hurt ahead of the NFL Draft.
Parris Campbell put Ohio State on the board with this one-yard pass from Haskins in the second quarter. Notice Rashad Berry moving his man out of the zip code for Campbell to glide into the end zone.
At one point in the first half, Campbell would own 88% of Ohio State's total offense.
Here's wide receiver Terry McLaurin turning a Chrisman touchback into Michigan State ball at their own six. It was the first of five-straight punts for Chrisman that settled inside the Spartan six.
Late in the third, a Chrisman punt that was downed at the one would lead to Michigan State punting out of their own end zone. Mark Dantonio called for an intentional high snap and took a safety, putting the Buckeyes up 9-6.
Chrisman's next punt, coming early in the 4th quarter, was downed at the two by Johnnie Dixon Jeff Okudah…
…which quickly led to a Michigan State fumble in their own end zone, pounced on by Dre'Mont Jones to put Ohio State up 16-6 one minute into the final quarter.
On Michigan State's next offensive play, quarterback Rocky Lombardi's errant pitch led to another fumble, scooped up by defensive end Jonathon Cooper. Three plays later, a Blake Haubeil field goal put Ohio State up 19-6.
Midway through the fourth, Dre'Mont Jones showed up again, getting a hand on Lewerke's arm, leading to this Shaun Wade interception.
The Buckeyes would turn that interception into points when Mike Weber punched it in from the two, capping a 9-play, 42-yard drive to make it 26-6. Weber, a Michigan product, finished the day with 104 yards on 22 carries.
We'll close out with this one: Is this Urban Meyer having fun again? It sure looks like it and it's a welcome sight.
