In the second quarter of the Capital One Bowl, Michigan State's offense has seen a couple of breaks fall its way. Unfortunately for the Spartans, they've been unable to capitalize, and Alabama has kept on rolling to increase the lead to 21-0.
Alabama's Robert Lester, who intercepted Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins in the first quarter, recovered a fumble and dashed across the field and into the end zone. However, officials reviewed the play and reversed the call, ruling the play an incomplete pass.
Michigan State running back Edwin Baker finally got going with a 12-yard run, and 15 yards were added by penalty after Baker was hit while out of bounds. The Spartans then drove to Alabama's three-yard line for a first and goal... only to have to punt.
It's quite rare, to say the least, for a team to sit at first-and-goal at the three and end up having to punt, but it happened thanks to a blindside hit on Cousins. The Spartan quarterback coughed up the ball, and thanks to a couple of muffed grabs, Michigan State finally recovered all the way back at the Alabama 38-yard line.
The ensuing punt resulted in a touchback, and Alabama's offense sliced through the Michigan State defense once again. Mark Ingram caught a Greg McElroy pass and weaved his way to a 30-yard gain, then rushed six yards for a touchdown. It's Ingram's second touchdown of the day, and the Tide have now scored a touchdown in all three of their possessions.
The Spartans have not been able to stop the Tide's offense, and they have not been able to capitalize on breaks when their own offense is on the field. Michigan State needs a reversal of fortune, and soon.
Stay tuned to this StoryStream for updates. And for more on these teams, check out our Alabama blog, Roll Bama Roll, and our Michigan State blog, The Only Colors.