It wasn't the ending the Michigan State Spartans wanted, soundly beaten in the Alamo Bowl. MSU managed just three points, losing to Nebraska 17-3. All twenty points were scored in the first half.
Nebraska took a three nothing lead early in the first, only to have MSU tie things at 3 on Dave Rayner field goal with 3:53 to play in the first quarter. The Cornhuskers got two second quarter touchdowns, both from freshman running back Cory Ross to cap the scoring. Ross ran for 140 yards in the game.
Jamal Lord, the NU senior QB, was 8/17 for 162 yards. He set up the first touchdown with a 57-yard pass to Isaiah Fluellen, and he set up the second touchdown with a career long 66-yard rush.
Jeff Smoker, playing in his final game for MSU, was harassed throughout the game by the Big Red defense. Nebraska sacked Smoker five times, and picked off three passes. MSU came into the game averaging about 30 points per game, but could only muster three in this one.
Nebraska interim head coach gets his first career victory. The Cornhuskers, playing in a bowl game for the 35th straight year, finish 10-3.
Michigan State is now 8-5, a year after finishing 4-8.
Redshirt freshman Drew Stanton was injured early in the game. Stanton, the MSU back-up quarterback, injured his knee covering a punt. Early reports say Stanton sprained his knee, maybe damaging his ACL, and that surgery may be needed.
