There’s a certain point in a game during which the fight is already lost despite the time that remains.
Down a surmountable seven points at the outset of the second half, MSU cruised up to midfield in the hands of a sure ball carrier, until the pop of a lowly fumble ended up 66 yards behind them.
The gap in the score transformed into a gorge.
Ring the death knell.
No football bounces to the hands of an opponent so unswervingly, and no opponent goes so unabated to the end zone in a game you are to eventually win.