In a closely contested matchup, the Michigan State Spartans fell to the Minnesota Golden Gophers 23-20 in overtime on October 14, 2023. Cornerback Malcolm Bell found himself at the center of controversy once again, as a critical pass interference call proved pivotal in the outcome of the game.
The Spartans, who have now lost six consecutive games, faced another heartbreaking defeat when Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey scored the winning touchdown following a pass interference penalty against Bell. The call came after a missed catch by Gophers receiver Le’Meke Brockington during a third-and-4 situation in the end zone. The penalty moved Minnesota within four yards of the goal line, setting the stage for Lindsey’s decisive play.
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith acknowledged the emotional nature of the game, stating, “Not every call is going to go your way. These are the calls.” The game was marked by multiple contentious officiating decisions, including another pass interference call that was later rescinded against Spartans receiver Rodney Bullard Jr.. The officials initially flagged Minnesota cornerback Kerry Brown for early contact, but after a brief discussion, they reversed their decision.
Despite the questionable officiating, Michigan State struggled with discipline, accumulating 10 penalties for a total of 96 yards. One of the most damaging infractions was a facemask penalty against linebacker Jordan Hall, which allowed Minnesota to score the game-tying touchdown with just 29 seconds remaining. Hall reflected on the impact of penalties, saying, “We still had ample opportunities to get off the field and end the game, and we came up short.”
The Spartans had several chances to secure the win before overtime, but missed opportunities plagued their performance. Kicker Martin Connington missed two field goals during regulation, including a 46-yarder in the first quarter and a 23-yarder in the fourth. Although he redeemed himself with a successful 36-yard field goal in overtime, his earlier misses were crucial in a game that ultimately went down to the wire. Smith noted, “He owned it and came back, and he really made a big kick in overtime to answer off a couple misses.”
Connington, who has been the starting kicker after a competition for the position, has shown promise this season, converting 9 of 13 field goals and 19 of 20 extra point attempts. Nevertheless, his performance is under scrutiny after his first game with multiple missed kicks.
The game also showcased significant contributions from Michigan State’s depth players. Alessio Milivojevic made his first career start and led the offense effectively. Bullard, who had limited playing time earlier in the season, caught four passes for 102 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown. Third-string running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver rushed for 127 yards on 11 carries, with a standout 85-yard run late in the game. Right guard Rakeem Johnson provided crucial blocking support during Tau-Tolliver’s big run.
Milivojevic expressed pride in his teammates, stating, “I think we have fighters on this team. We are a team full of fighters, and that’s what we did.”
Despite the loss, the Spartans’ coaching staff continues to adapt, seeking to reward players who demonstrate consistent performance in practice. The absence of key players like running back Makhi Frazier and receiver Chrishon McCray due to injuries has necessitated reliance on backups, allowing players like Milivojevic, Tau-Tolliver, Bullard, and Johnson to step into more prominent roles.
As Michigan State prepares for its next challenge, the team must address its discipline issues and improve its execution to turn the tide in future matchups.
