Wisconsin penalties aid comeback

EAST LANSING - The way Saturday's game was unfolding, it looked like Michigan State would need help from Wisconsin to win.

And the Badgers certainly provided it, committing 12 penalties for 121 yards to aide the Spartans' 25-24 comeback victory at Spartan Stadium.

MSU was called for just two penalties for 30 yards.

"I need to thank them for helping us win the game," said Spartan defensive end Trevor Anderson.

The quantity of penalties was one thing, but the timing was especially damaging on a few occasions for the Badgers.

Arguably, the most costly penalty came on Wisconsin's final possession. Leading 24-22, the Badgers faced a third-and-1 at the MSU 25. Running back John Clay busted off right tackle for what appeared to be a game-clinching first down all the way down inside the 5-yard line.

But the Badgers were called for a holding penalty to erase the run. The following play, UW was called for a false start and third-and-1 quickly turned into third-and-16.

Instead of icing the game, Wisconsin was forced to punt. That left the Spartans had 1:19 remaining to march down the field for what turned out to be a game-winning 44-yard field goal by Brett Swenson with seven seconds remaining.

"To lose a game like that is always hard to swallow," said UW quarterback Dustin Sherer, who finished 14 of 28 for 149 yards and a score. "(The penalties) are frustrating, but you hate to blame the game on the refs. You just have to go out and do your thing and hopefully they don't play an impact on (the game)."

Another penalty helped give MSU momentum for its fourth-quarter rally.

After a Clay 32-yard TD run to make the score 24-13, Wisconsin was called for a 5-yard delay of game penalty on subsequent kickoff. Not knowing what the call was about, UW coach Bret Bielema argued and was given an additional 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct call. That gave the Spartans possession at the Wisconsin 44-yard line, and they capitalized with a quick drive that ended in a 2-yard Javon Ringer TD run.

"(The official) said he was being interfered with his ability to do his job and basically called a sideline penalty," Bielema said. "He said our defensive unit ran on the field too fast.

"We haven't really been warned about that or told to be aware of that situation and then I came down and asked the official what was the cause of the foul and he said he was being interfered with to do his job. I told him in my opinion he wasn't really doing a good job and that was what drew the 15-yard penalty."

According to sophomore wide receiver David Gilreath, Bielema addressed his behavior after the game.

"He apologized to (the team) ..., but we're not going to get on Coach Bielema about it."

ADD TWO MORE MILESTONES: On a 9-yard rush in the fourth quarter, Ringer moved into first place on the MSU all-purpose yards list, passing Lorenzo White.

With his 64 yards on Saturday, Ringer has 5,156 all-purpose yards, four more than White.

Also, with his two rushing touchdowns, Ringer tied T.J. Duckett and Lynn Chandnois for 5th on the MSU rushing touchdown list with 29.

HONORARY CAPTAIN: Former Spartan defensive tackle John Shinsky was the honorary captain for Saturday's game.

Shinsky played for MSU from 1970-1973, earning second team All-Big Ten honors as a senior.