Down 16-0 after the first half, Michigan State made multiple comebacks and had several close calls before beating the Georgia Bulldogs 33-30 in triple overtime in the Outback Bowl. The Spartans blocked a field goal at the end of the third overtime after Georgia had already missed a game-winner in the first overtime period.
Both defenses were dominant and caused trouble for their opponent. The only score of the first quarter was a Georgia safety when Keshawn Martin was caught in the end zone on a pass play. The Bulldogs scored on two huge plays in the 2nd quarter, an 80-yard touchdown pass and a 92-yard Brandon Boykin punt return, to take a 16-0 first half lead.
The Spartans battled back, scoring on an 8-yard Le'Veon Bell run and later on a 38-yard interception return by Darqueze Dennard, cutting the lead to 16-14 at the end of the third quarter.
Georgia interception Kirk Cousins and had first down in the red zone, but the Spartan defense, which had over a dozen tackles for loss including 4 sacks, held them to a field goal. Cousins later found Keith Nichol for an 8-yard TD throw that gave them a 20-19 lead after a 2-point try failed.
But Bulldog quarterback Aaron Murray had several long passes on the next drive, including a 53-yarder to Tavarres King, setting up a 13-yard pass to Boykin for a touchdown and a 27-20 lead after a successful 2-point conversion toss to Malcolm Mitchell.
Cousins overcame his 2nd interception on the next drive to score on their final drive with seconds remaining, putting the game into overtime at 27-27.
The overtime periods underscored how dominant the defenses were in the game, with only 9 points scored in three periods, all on field goals.
Overtime period 1: Cousins was intercepted for a third time, but Georgia's Blair Walsh missed a 42-yard field goal. No score, still 27-27.
Overtime period 2: Georgia was stopped again by Michigan State's defense but Walsh made a 47-yard field goal for a 30-27 lead. Michigan State kicked a field goal to set up the third overtime period at 30-30.
Overtime period 3: Michigan State's offense was stopped again but Dan Conroy made another field goal. On Georgia's turn the Spartans stopped them, then blocked Walsh's field goal attempt for a 33-30 win.
Michigan State finished the year 11-3, with losses to Notre Dame, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. They also beat the Badgers once, as well as Michigan. Georgia finished 10-4, with all four losses to top 25 teams: South Carolina, Boise State, LSU, and now the Spartans.
More previews and results: View the complete 2011-2012 bowl game schedule.
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